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I would like to run multiple power connections to my tracks from one powerpack. Do I need to insulate between power connections, or will electrons flow as needed?
Picture's worth 1000 words, right?
Red and black are power connections. Do I need the blue insulators?
Second question.
For the insulated turnout with switched power... I'd like to put an LED on that track to indicate power on/off. What do you recommend?
You won't need insulators on your main, unless you want to divide the loop into two blocks, in which case a switch will be needed for each feed. If it's not a huge loop only one set of feeders should do it.
As for the switched spur, you can wire an LED between the switched rail and the continuous feed rail with the proper resistor, or if you use a switch machine maybe supply power thru it.
Unless I'm not reading this right that should be it?
I want to solder all of my rail connections, so in order to ensure solid power connections, I want to use multiple connections. I'll leave some expansion spaces (not soldered) and run a power supply to each set of soldered track. Okay, I'm comfortable with that approach.
Now for the LED. I'm familiar with using LEDs on automobile systems (12vdc) and the use of ballast resistors to knock the 12-14v battery output down to ~3v depending ont he LED(s). I have the appropriate formulas to find the right resistor. But, isn't the voltage on the track variable? More volts = faster train? Or is the voltage constant and some other property changes the speed of the train? I'm not working on a DCC layout, just a regular old DC layout.
The LED has to have both positive and negative power to light. The way it's drawn, the circuit has only positive. Also the way it's drawn, the wire going to the switched track will bypass the LED circuit altogether. The LED won't light.
You'd need a bridge rectifier to keep polarity + or _
Another thought might be a bi-color LED that would show green on the way out and red on the way in?
Okay, I've revised my diagram and now have a resistor and LED in parallel with the track.
I also recall seeing someone say a 1K resistor is the appropriate size. Don't know for sure, but added the 1K notation to my diagram.
Will this work?
I'm currently rearranging my basement and placing my train table, so I am not able to experiment. Once I'm done moving stuff around, I'll be able to set up a circle just like this and test this design. My goal is to establish a solid starting point for this testing.
