Track Wiring

[grenade10]

I am making good progress on my new 4 lane track, but end result will be a three lane Routed wood track. I want to purchase track wiring / accessories once with maybe only the light bridge and controller panel as the only part to not use or modify.

What gauge wire should I use?

Using Slot Car Corner Wiring kit, Trackmate software, light bridge, track relay and controller boxes. Slot Car Corner controller holders.

Astron Power Supply adjustable voltage and up to 25amps.

I will do 4" lane spacing with the Routed track, so 1/24 cars could be run.

Table size is 5'0" x 22'6". Run line 40 to 50 feet, 17 - 18 main straight.

Getting different gauges by different company's.


Thanks
Mark

[Jim W]

Mark,

I used 12-gauge stranded copper wire for the power supply and relay connections to the track. Then I used 14-gauge stranded copper wire for the driver's stations and track lanes connections. I think that a larger gauge would be used on a 1/24th track that uses high powered cars. None of the modern cars motors we use require much amperage, all under 1 amp. The Vintage cars may need a "higher" amperage, such as 2 amps running and 4 amps on startup on the "hot motors". These motors would be capable of 35k to 45k, such as the red Hemi Strombecker.

Jim W

[grenade10]

Jim,

That makes sense to me. Slot Car Corner is sending me the wiring kit for a wood track, so it will be set for the change off the plastic track. I also got them to send me the controller holders with the "V" notch in the same package. The Trackmate system with the appropriate light bar that will work for both 4 lane Scalextric and 3 lane wood. I will need to build the bride, but looks like I can make one work.

Ordered 6 rolls of 6 different colored 14ga wire, so each lane will have a color. All power will be red / Black. (any reason to not use the power supply for the light bar? 12v at 1.2amps) Lanes Yellow/white, Red/white, Green/white and Blue/white. When I drop the lane, it will be easy to just remove the jumper wire and drop the light.

Should be able to set up the table this weekend, Track and wiring next weekend............

[grenade10]

After wiring my system, I will say that using the controller boxes from Trackmate makes the wiring very simple. No crimp or solder connections and all the wiring is done. Boxes are a small footprint, and I did cut some vinyl dots to go over the controller posts that will let you use alligator clips or banana plugs. Same with the Relay, wires go into a block mounted on the board for each lane and has the hook up for the controller hook up. Used the 8 double two pole blocks from Slot Car Corner for the wires to the track as well as a jumper to the back straight. I have no power issues in any lane around the track.

I have some left over colored wire in both 14ga and 16ga if anyone needs and blocks with fuse set up for the controllers plus many crimp on connectors. If you need any let me know.

Mark