Track wire

[usher42]

What is good size wire gauge for track  to dc power pack? Iwent to a local train show this last weekend an d i ask a vendor what size wire is good for layout and told me a wire #22 gauge is good . wae he right or not.

[Tom Lapointe]

You didn't specify what scale or type of loco you're planning to run; #22 is pretty light wire.  For a typical small HO or N scale loco, pulling a light train, it might be adequate; definely not for a Large-Scale, multi-motored loco    (or even some of the heavier HO locos).  16-gauge stranded speaker wire (readily available from Radio Shack) would be a better choice for most model RR applications in my opinion; for heavy O or Large Scale locos (my large-scale, fully-lighted USA Trains 5-car streamliner, powered by 2 - twin motored Alco PA's, draws @ 7.5 amps , for example), the larger the wire size, the better.                                                                              Tom

[SteamGene]

It depends on the size of the layout, too.  The safest thing to do if you are using buss and drops is to use Atlas wire for the drops and a heavier gauge than that for the buss.  Model Power sells wire, too, but it's thinner than the Atlas.  I think it's mroe suitable for accessories or building lights.
Gene

[pdlethbridge]

It really depends on the application. For instance, I use digitrax ds 64's to control my switch machines. There is absolutely no way a 16 gauge wire could be used directly into a ds 64. I was forced to use nothing bigger than 26 or 28 gauge because of the small holes on the ds 64 connectors. If your wiring multiple switches as I am, the smaller the better. Much heavier wire is a must on the rest of the layout. I used 20 gauge that are under 2' in length from the tracks to the bus line. My bus line is heavier still, 16 gauge, but I can only run a maximum of 2 locos on my 64 Sq ft layout

[usher42]

You didn't specify what scale or type of loco you're planning to run; #22 is pretty light wire.  For a typical small HO or N scale loco, pulling a light train, it might be adequate; definely not for a Large-Scale, multi-motored loco    (or even some of the heavier HO locos).  16-gauge stranded speaker wire (readily available from Radio Shack) would be a better choice for most model RR applications in my opinion; for heavy O or Large Scale locos (my large-scale, fully-lighted USA Trains 5-car streamliner, powered by 2 - twin motored Alco PA's, draws @ 7.5 amps , for example), the larger the wire size, the better.                                                                              Tom

I'm running H O scale if thats helps you.

[Hunt]

usher42,
Use #18 AWG wire, less than 5 feet in length, to make the connection between DC power pack and the track.