Help on module busses
Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2018 10:31 pm
Hi
I am considering a stand-alone layout on four 3ft boards that could alternatively be used as three individual HO modules or as a large single module. In stand-alone mode operation would be by battery on board radio control, one of the advantages of which is no track wiring! However, for use in a larger set-up it would need to be wired for DCC operation and for ease and versatility it would be better if the required busses are through wired on each board.
I have read the specification and Tom Winlow’s additional details, but only having experience of DCC as an operator and not as a builder, I have some queries.
1. The track power bus is straightforward with two red wire module connectors, although they could presumably be any colour(s) on the boards.
2 “Both accessory bus wires should be different colours of the owner’s choosing”. The connectors are different to those on the track bus so there should be no confusion between them. However, should this mean that the two connectors should each be a different colour to the other or that both should be the same colour but not red?
Given that this bus is described as being similar to the track bus and in some situations can be linked to it, and that the end sockets/plugs should be in a similar left/right configuration, I wonder why the connectors need to be described differently. Presumably, provided left went to left, all the connectors could be red, although a second colour is probably more sensible.
3. With BPRC there is no need for a throttle panel, but with a 6ft or 12ft length I wonder if it is necessary to provide one for the use of other operators at meets and, if so, which sort? Whilst the specification gives details of the in- line connectors, there is no mention of the wire colours/pinouts of the plugs and sockets. Are these standard or do people purchase the plugs and sockets ready wired?
Since starting this I have read other threads and am surprised that DCC operation is mandatory but that the various DCC brands are largely incompatible! Is this due to the 6 wires being used differently or merely a connection problem?
4. As an observation, the specification provides for inter module connections to be either 18” jumpers or flying leads extending 18” beyond the end of the baseboard but not the linear position of the on-board sockets. The overlap of the former is less than for the latter and it could be that a jumper falls short on a module where flying leads have been adopted.
Thanks
I am considering a stand-alone layout on four 3ft boards that could alternatively be used as three individual HO modules or as a large single module. In stand-alone mode operation would be by battery on board radio control, one of the advantages of which is no track wiring! However, for use in a larger set-up it would need to be wired for DCC operation and for ease and versatility it would be better if the required busses are through wired on each board.
I have read the specification and Tom Winlow’s additional details, but only having experience of DCC as an operator and not as a builder, I have some queries.
1. The track power bus is straightforward with two red wire module connectors, although they could presumably be any colour(s) on the boards.
2 “Both accessory bus wires should be different colours of the owner’s choosing”. The connectors are different to those on the track bus so there should be no confusion between them. However, should this mean that the two connectors should each be a different colour to the other or that both should be the same colour but not red?
Given that this bus is described as being similar to the track bus and in some situations can be linked to it, and that the end sockets/plugs should be in a similar left/right configuration, I wonder why the connectors need to be described differently. Presumably, provided left went to left, all the connectors could be red, although a second colour is probably more sensible.
3. With BPRC there is no need for a throttle panel, but with a 6ft or 12ft length I wonder if it is necessary to provide one for the use of other operators at meets and, if so, which sort? Whilst the specification gives details of the in- line connectors, there is no mention of the wire colours/pinouts of the plugs and sockets. Are these standard or do people purchase the plugs and sockets ready wired?
Since starting this I have read other threads and am surprised that DCC operation is mandatory but that the various DCC brands are largely incompatible! Is this due to the 6 wires being used differently or merely a connection problem?
4. As an observation, the specification provides for inter module connections to be either 18” jumpers or flying leads extending 18” beyond the end of the baseboard but not the linear position of the on-board sockets. The overlap of the former is less than for the latter and it could be that a jumper falls short on a module where flying leads have been adopted.
Thanks