Wiring - part 12

 

Another short post focusing on the wiring of the external two tracks, so I can get some trains running .....

Wiring and more - part 11

 

A short post about the recent activities on the layout.

Connectors to the rack

The rack has been completed a while back, but the connectors from the rack to the layout still had to be installed. This is now done!

Switch motors

I've been focusing on making the two main tracks work. I already installed 4 switch motors a while back, so I have 9 more to install for these two tracks: 

Installing those motors is not as straightforward as I would like to. I found that pre-drilling the screwing holes and pre-installing both screws helps a lot. Once the motor's wire sticks into the switch bar, it is then easier to hold the motor in place while sliding under the table and install another two screws.

Switch motors

As part of that exercise, I am also gluing all switches and tracks down to the roadbed: 

Closing the rack - wiring - part 10

 With all the shelves wired to the Molex connectors, I can now close the rack!

And while turned on:

Wiring - part 9

 This is the last part of wiring before closing the rack! This is for shelf #1 with the 4 Lenz LS150 that commands the switch motors.

Not much to mention here; it's the same process as before.

Wiring - part 8

In this section, I focus on the connections between shelf #2 in the rack and the layout. I have spent a fair amount of time finding connectors that can carry the 5 Amp from the command station to the layout. I chose the MX150 connectors from Molex.

Connectors Molex MX150

Those connectors are meant for the automobile industry but will suit my needs just fine. They are available on Amazon, but also on Digi-Key and Mouser:

• Molex 16 Pin on Amazon
• Molex 20 Pin on Amazon

The instructions are pretty clear, but it takes a bit of practice to wire those things properly.

In addition to the connectors, the following supplies were needed:

• IWISS Open Barrel Terminal Crimper on Amazon
• 18 Gauge cable on Amazon
• Cable tubing 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch on Amazon

Connector diagram

Here's the wiring diagram for shelf #2 to the Molex connectors:

Final result

I've tested each terminal connection from the shelf to the screwing terminal that will be positioned under the layout and everything worked as expected!

Shelf #2 wiring - part 7

 This shelf carries the ESU ECoSDetector modules. I have the following items:

• 1x ESU 50094 - http://www.esu.eu/en/products/digital-control/ecosdetector/ecosdetector/
• 3x ESU 50098 - http://www.esu.eu/en/products/digital-control/ecosdetector/ecosdetector-rc/

The ESU 50094 has 16 inputs for detection, but only 4 are RailCom. The ESU 50098 has 4 RailCom inputs.

Schematic

Here's what I designed on Anyrail:

Wiring

Here are these several steps with pictures:

Completion

And here's the final result:

Shelf #1 wiring - part 6

Following the wiring diagram, I wired the 4 Lenz LS150 with the terminal blocks. I initially thought that the fourth terminal block would need to be located on a side, but then I realized I could probably stack them.

Schematic

Here's what I designed on Anyrail:

Placement

I used the following supplies:

• M3 & M2 bolts and nuts: https://amzn.to/2CoDldR. M3 are used for the Lenz LS150 and the terminal blocks, where M2 are used for the screw terminals
• Rubber feet: https://amzn.to/3hfPIrp

Here are these several steps with pictures:

Wiring

I used the following supplies:

• 18 AWG cables: https://amzn.to/32tkjhh and https://amzn.to/2OGIgt7

Here are these several steps with pictures:

Testing

Now, all Lenz LS150 need to be configured:

Completion

And here's the final result: