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I getting ready to wire my yard and layout. I know you have to run feeder wires to these switches in order for them to work, my question is do I have to run feeders to every switch in the ladder of my yard or is there some other trick to get these to work?
Does this help? You have your input going to all the button switches at the control panel. Then three wires going from each button switch to each turnout motor.
You don't say what the "feeder" wires are for. If it's for track power, it depends on the type of turnout you have ("live" or "insulfrog"), and the design of the yard. The diagram above is for powering switch machines, although you can eliminate one wire by using a "common" wire "daisy-chained" from one one power lead to each switch machine, then use the other power lead through push button switches. This method works for a solenoid type switch machine. Tortoises have a different wiring scheme.
If'n your talking about track power feeders, I'd go with drop feeders to each track as they are coming off the switch. Sometimes it seems like overkill but no such thing as "underkill". (just made up another new word?)
As Gus mentioned, if they're electrofrog you'll need gaps in some cases (double ended tracks) and feeders.
these are insulfrogs switches. so to power the switches i need to wire either switch or each track coming off the switch in my ladder? I have a thru yard so i need to wire both ends of the track at each switch right?
i use pecos exclusivley. by "feeder wires" i assume the question is how to power them. i also will assume insulfrog pecos since thats what one gets by default (unless for some reason powered frog specifically desired).
in ideal situation no extra wiring required. peco insulfrogs have jumpers underneath them to conduct incoming power from any one track into other 2. IRL those jumpers solder connection can get loose which makes the switch power routing. actually i had several that only looked like they connected.if you make sure power comes to switch from both straight and diverging routes it will be all good. if you want to power from facing point side double check that jumpers are indeed intact (unless you were looking to do power routing turnout)
so , no, you do not have to have dedicated power feeds for each turnout. but if you can - it never hurts
A clearer explanation could be given if you could tell us if you have "live frog" or "insulfrog" turnouts. It makes a BIGGGG difference on how the tracks should be wired.
these are insulfrogs switches. so to power the switches i need to wire either switch or each track coming off the switch in my ladder? I have a thru yard so i need to wire both ends of the track at each switch right?
Sorry I missed the post indicating you have insulfrog switches....Do you have power in the rest of the layout..?? If not, start there. Insulfrog switches do not require any additional wiring. If the rest of the layout is powered the yard should be powered, assuming you did not use insulating (plastic) rail joiners at the turnouts, or anywhere else. You can put additional feeders to the yard tracks, (and other tracks as well....) but just to ensure you do not have any power drop, since it seems to be a sizeable layout.
No problem Steam, I do that myself quite a few times when reading posts..lol next question. What guage wire should I use to power the layout? I've been told to run 14 gauge from my Zephur controller to my tracks. Then what gauge for feeders from layout wires to switches?
I getting ready to wire my yard and layout. I know you have to run feeder wires to these switches in order for them to work, my question is do I have to run feeders to every switch in the ladder of my yard or is there some other trick to get these to work?
Either I misunderstood your question or others did and you are going with them as it answers another possible problem. If you are asking about switch machine wiring we need to start over. If not you are on your way
I was told i have to wire the foot of each switch in order for it to work correctly. is this true? Or can i just run wires from the buss wires to the track that connects to the switch. Sorry if this is confusing. Not trying to be.
You don't have to wire the "foot" of anything. Just make sure you have feeder wires spread around the layout so you have a balanced power distribution. Rail joiners are known to be poor electrical connectors at times, so power drops can occur. If you note the engines slowing down in certain areas, a feed in those areas should cure the problem.
