Proper gauge wire for trucks

[ncrc5315]

What gauge wire would be best for bringing power from the locomotive trucks? Is 30AWG to light?

[jonklein611]

I've used ESU AWG 36 with great results.

[canrailfan]

The size of the wire depends on the size and type of motor in the model, plus the current drawn by any lamps/LEDS or other accessories (i.e. sound or smoke).

For most modern HO models, wire sizes of 32, 34 or 36 AWG will be sufficient. Older Athearn Blue Box locos would probably need the 30 AWG wire. Larger scale models would need bigger wires as well.

Any wire connected to the trucks should be stranded and very flexible. The more strands the better the flexibility but the price goes up very quickly with the increase in the number of strands.

[ncrc5315]

Thank you for the replies. This is an older Stewart AS16, pre PCB board. I'm putting in a Decoder Buddy, and need to lengthen the wires from the trucks, just not sure what wire size they are.

[edwardsutorik]

I use 36ga wire inside my HO locos. It's from ESU, and comes in a wide range of colors--very handy when you're trying to figure out what's going where. It is quite flexible, and the insulation is fairly thin--a good thing.

There can be two problems with using small gauge wire.

One is voltage drop, due to wire resistance. This is generally not a problem in a loco, because the wire runs are so short. It's the same as using small gauge wire for taps from your rails--as long as it's short, no problem. If you were to bring that wire all the way back to your power source, probably a BIG voltage drop.

The other is the heat generated by that wire resistance. If the wire gets too hot, the insulation can be damaged. I haven't seen this happen yet with the wire I'm using.

As David noted, larger wire (and thicker insulation) aren't as happy flexing as the smaller. If you're a bit anxious on the matter, you can pair up (double) the smaller wires.

If you've got a smoke unit in a loco, I would think that could be a significant current draw. I remember looking down the stack of my Lionel Berkshire, and seeing the smoke heating unit glowing.



The ESU supplied wire I use appears to be the same stuff as comes out of their (regular HO) decoder. THEY don't appear think there will be a problem with the smaller wire. It makes no sense to me to use a wire gauge larger than that supplied with the decoder you are using.


Ed

[ncrc5315]

The 30AWG that I have, came from TCS. I'm going to give it a try, and once I have a chance to test it, I will report my findings.