Simple electrical connections on my O Scale Layout

Here is a brief video on how I made the electrical connections from my transformer, to the TIU and to my terminal blocks.

[@HobbyMoose79]

I just want to say I usually don’t watch 7 yer old videos. But your the only one who could explain the power unit that you used and the solder and connectors. I want to thank you for the simple instructions. Make a new one or repost this old one. ❤❤thank you

[@efitter7]

Going to be redoing some wiring on my layout in the future so I caught this video at a great time. Thanks for sharing Chris. -Ethan

[@hectoravila7036]

I’m new in trains I love your video!

[@hearle356]

Great concise video.

[@kengaherty9475]

Very nice, similar to mine but not soldered. I guess that’s my new project! Thanks.

[@dacfile275]

nice job, I place a drop of super glue into the fork or spade connector before the crimp, then crimp. So far good power flow and they do not come undone.

[@photozen8398]

What is the max amperage you can pull from this wiring set up without risk heating those terminals, I take it is consistent throughout the layout.

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

Great info 🚂❤️👍👍👍👍👍👍 🎆subscribed 🎆

[@iraginsburg1156]

Where do the wires from the the orange post and the black post go to on a train transformer (American Flyer 18B - 180 watts)?

[@jsgtrains3176]

Great video! How did you attach wiring to track? Solder or Lockons? Just curious?

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

I soldered all the connections to the base of the rail.

[@jsgtrains3176]

@@PrimeMoverVideos I really liked your crimping. Goes to show that a person like me does not have to apply too much pressure that destroys plastic jacket

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

@@jsgtrains3176 No not at all. It's all a learning process. Give yourself time to learn, you'll make mistakes just as I do but you'll learn from them. Keep at it and I wish you a ton of success with your layout.😁

[@juanarturofernandezn6491]

Nice video!, really learned many things from it. Just want to ask if this star method recommended for MTH could work as well for Lionel TMCC? I tried bus system technique but the signal is not strong enough. Believe because I shared the ground cable with many accessories switches, etc made branches with it. I planning changing it to the star method to enhance signal. Any suggestions?

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

I had added Lionels Legacy system by just connecting to the input terminals on the TIU with no other changes and it worked perfectly.

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

I also have the track ground isolated from anything else like switches and accessories.

[@juanarturofernandezn6491]

Many thanks; I'll then isolate the ground line for the track from the common ground I use for accessories, switches, etc. So make a star arrangement connection just for the track I will come back to you with other arising issues if you do not mind.

[@hectoravila7036]

Hi ,question the red and black bottoms are those connected to the transformer?

[@MrShain1611]

Yes, you can connect those to any transformer.

[@flynnlizzy5469]

I hope you are still around to answer this: All the MTH, Lionel accessory/buildings I have come pre wired with a short length of very thin wire. It appears to me that you are using standard stereo speaker wire which is much thicker. AmI correct and,if so,how did you handle it- cut off what came with the pieces and start over with the clear wiring, thicker wiring ? Thanks !!

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

Hello, I did use speaker wire however only for track power feeders. It works very well with DCS. I use much smaller wire on houses and structures. Thanks for the question and Happy New Year.

[@flynnlizzy5469]

@@PrimeMoverVideos Thank you for the quick reply !! If you don't mind because I'm about to buy a lot of it, what size did you use for your lit buildings and houses ? I have about a dozen stores / Main St kind of thing, and some track accessories-lights and soon plus half a dozen switch tracks on an 'L' shape 5''x14' and 5' x 10' lay out. I have a MTH water tower too and that motorised train barn thats been popular (forgetting the maker. They send out these units with a short section of wire nd the wire is really between thread and string size. Do you pull out the thin stuff and solder in the new thicker ? I can't tell if they're just being cheap or its a tip from them as to what size is appropriate ? Seems REALLY flimsy though. I run a MTH Z-4000 with a Lionel remote wired into the Z for power. I'm just getting started. Thanks for any advice, really appreciate it !!

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

@flynnlizzy5469 Gosh I think I used 20 gauge. Low amperage things like the houses or small accessories where the amperage is low do not require a large gauge of wire. I think MTH uses 22 gage but I'm not positive on that.

[@Mercatoyd]

I have done as you have in the past. I've never used speaker wire.. I like the idea of it. I noticed that you chose copper for Positive and the aluminum for Ground.. what is the theory of this practice? I don't believe you just happened to do it this way.. there must be a reason for this method. Thank you for sharing.

[@richardbrown3061]

Makes it easier to identify the positive from common or ground. Same principle as electrical wire in a house. There is some speaker wire that has copper on both leads and some that has silver on both leads.

[@Mercatoyd]

@@richardbrown3061 thank you for the reply... really great video.

[@rickmansberger4136]

What is a TIU???

[@PrimeMoverVideos]

A TIU is a Track Interface Unit which is part of MTH's DCS system.

[@Leogar982]

Very professionally done and explained. Thank you. I use Atlas like you, so much more realistic track.