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Re: Wire harness help

Robin
 

You are so right about the wire. We can get that here for cheap. We
just don't have a good source for the parts and could use some group
purchase to reduce cost and make sure we get the right things. Also,
if someone could send us a copy of the instructions. I was
disapointed to see that all those nice photos and instructions were
not working on the website.

CZM could use 6 harness kits for the straight through modules. We
also want 1 for an end module eventually.

Thanks, Robin

--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., Michael Hilliard <mchwilton@...>
wrote:

Hi,

Jeff, if you can make 10 within 2 weeks, the Tri-State Z Scalers
will buy them <seriously>. We need them for our Dec. meet and for a
major train show in Jan.

If not, I plan to order parts tomorrow (Tues. or Wed.) for the
Tri-State Z Scalers, I'd be happy to order enough parts for CZM as
well (less wire, wire is heavy to ship) as long as you let me know
ASAP and I'll ship your parts at cost + acual shipping. I plan to get
the 18ga speaker wire from Walmart, $8.96/100'. Only differance is it
is both copper/gold color with a white stripe on one wire. Can still
use the ZBT instructions, just think gold and white stripe when
assembling instead of gold and silver. This seems to be the best
price without buying 1000's of ft. at a time. The parts will not be
as cheap as Bill K's., as I'm not buying by the 100 or 1000 parts at
a time.

Having spoke to Bill K. recently, I don't think we can get
cables/kits from him at this time. It's not that he doesn't want to
help us, he just can't at this time. If you'll notice on the
zbendtrack website, the link to cables is still there, but the link
doesn't work anymore. Luckily I have printed out instructions on how
to assemble them that I can copy for you. I also have a complete
parts list as well. I just can't help with end & power cables yet,
just thru module wiring at this point. I'm not offering to assemble
cables for you now, just get the parts.

LMK, I actually hope you can help Jeff, if not, my offer is open
for the CZM. All Z BeZt,

Michael Hilliard
39 Old Huckleberry Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
ph. 203-762-2476



Jeff Merrill <sj-baz-man@...> wrote:
If not, I'd be happy to help make some up or help get
parts at cost + mailing.

Jeff

----- Original Message ----
From: Robin <robinchris@...>
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 12:30:21 PM
Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Wire harness help

Some CZM members are making their first modules and need wiring
harneses. Are the kits with instructions still available for
purchase?

Thanks,
Robin

--- In Z-Bend_Track@ yahoogroups. com, zbendtrack@ .. wrote:

Stu:

There has been a short delay.....

I always thought when you retired from a company, you just filled
out a few
forms and headed through the doors to retirement.

Oh no.

For the last 4 weeks I've worked harder, and longer hours, than
ever at the
office. "You've got to finish this and that project before you
leave" ...or
worse..."here' s another special project we'd like to have you do
before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very
shortly.

Cables? I have over $800 in "stuff" for cable assemblies on hand.
From the
very start, it was never my intention to make any profit ...and I
never
did....and won't start now. It was just a z-friendly effort to
help model train
people find parts they probably didn't know where to buy.

Actually, any ZBT cable can be built up with one stop at Radio
Shack (or Dick
Smith). But you probably wouldn't like the price much as mine.
I've been
buying in multiples of 100 (or more) and with only one shipping
charge to your
door it was cheaper to get the stuff from me.

Its five years of soldering that was my undoing. Too many "F"
letters. What
started out as Fun and a Favor turned into a Factory operation.
In
my N
scale days, everyone knew how to solder, but not so in Z as I
found
out. Charging
5 bucks per hour for my soldering time didn't help much either
(all
my own
train time was spent soldering for others because I priced my
time
too cheap).
But after two miles (4.7 kilometers) of soldered cables and five
years, I just
got tired. Sorry. I've got some modules I'm dying to build in the
days
ahead.

What I plan to do is to get the entire family involved in
a "bagging"
operation and make up bagged "sets of parts" available (at cost)
in
a number of
ways/outlets complete with printed instructions. And hope to at
least get most of
my parts costs out.

But the extra workload at the office derailed me and that goal.

Patience, please. One of my goals is to publish all my parts
sources so
anyone can get the same components I buy, directly, at the "one
each" price. I'm
pretty careful and picky on what I've been buying to insure zero
problems when
it all plugs together, and over years of use.

Bill Kronenberger
Houston


I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for
the module
has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for
the
shells and
power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Wire harness help

Jeff Merrill
 

There's no way I can make 10 before then. I just got back from Europe Monday nite, have to finish my modules for a test run this weekend, go see my Mom (just out of Psych ward) and finish up for the show on Xgiving weekend. Week end after, I have to go to the San Diego show but since I am driving, that's Thursday 1/30 - Monday 2/4.

Maybe after. Bill's PC bds are the best way to go. If you can at least get the PC bds, the connectors, wire and soldering are easy. The local surplus place has the red/black zip cord which I prefer over Bill's clear speaker wire (one copper, one tinned wire visible thru clear jacket).

Jeff

----- Original Message ----
From: Michael Hilliard <mchwilton@...>
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 4:03:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Wire harness help

Hi,

Jeff, if you can make 10 within 2 weeks, the Tri-State Z Scalers will buy them <seriously>. We need them for our Dec. meet and for a major train show in Jan.

If not, I plan to order parts tomorrow (Tues. or Wed.) for the Tri-State Z Scalers, I'd be happy to order enough parts for CZM as well (less wire, wire is heavy to ship) as long as you let me know ASAP and I'll ship your parts at cost + acual shipping. I plan to get the 18ga speaker wire from Walmart, $8.96/100'. Only differance is it is both copper/gold color with a white stripe on one wire. Can still use the ZBT instructions, just think gold and white stripe when assembling instead of gold and silver. This seems to be the best price without buying 1000's of ft. at a time. The parts will not be as cheap as Bill K's., as I'm not buying by the 100 or 1000 parts at a time.

Having spoke to Bill K. recently, I don't think we can get cables/kits from him at this time. It's not that he doesn't want to help us, he just can't at this time. If you'll notice on the zbendtrack website, the link to cables is still there, but the link doesn't work anymore. Luckily I have printed out instructions on how to assemble them that I can copy for you. I also have a complete parts list as well. I just can't help with end & power cables yet, just thru module wiring at this point. I'm not offering to assemble cables for you now, just get the parts.

LMK, I actually hope you can help Jeff, if not, my offer is open for the CZM. All Z BeZt,

Michael Hilliard
39 Old Huckleberry Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
ph. 203-762-2476



Jeff Merrill <sj-baz-man@sbcgloba l.net> wrote:
If not, I'd be happy to help make some up or help get parts at cost + mailing.

Jeff

----- Original Message ----
From: Robin <robinchris@kalama. com>
To: Z-Bend_Track@ yahoogroups. com
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 12:30:21 PM
Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Wire harness help

Some CZM members are making their first modules and need wiring
harneses. Are the kits with instructions still available for
purchase?

Thanks,
Robin

--- In Z-Bend_Track@ yahoogroups. com, zbendtrack@. .. wrote:

Stu:

There has been a short delay.....

I always thought when you retired from a company, you just filled
out a few
forms and headed through the doors to retirement.

Oh no.

For the last 4 weeks I've worked harder, and longer hours, than
ever at the
office. "You've got to finish this and that project before you
leave" ...or
worse..."here' s another special project we'd like to have you do
before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very
shortly.

Cables? I have over $800 in "stuff" for cable assemblies on hand.
From the
very start, it was never my intention to make any profit ...and I
never
did....and won't start now. It was just a z-friendly effort to
help model train
people find parts they probably didn't know where to buy.

Actually, any ZBT cable can be built up with one stop at Radio
Shack (or Dick
Smith). But you probably wouldn't like the price much as mine.
I've been
buying in multiples of 100 (or more) and with only one shipping
charge to your
door it was cheaper to get the stuff from me.

Its five years of soldering that was my undoing. Too many "F"
letters. What
started out as Fun and a Favor turned into a Factory operation. In
my N
scale days, everyone knew how to solder, but not so in Z as I found
out. Charging
5 bucks per hour for my soldering time didn't help much either (all
my own
train time was spent soldering for others because I priced my time
too cheap).
But after two miles (4.7 kilometers) of soldered cables and five
years, I just
got tired. Sorry. I've got some modules I'm dying to build in the
days
ahead.

What I plan to do is to get the entire family involved in
a "bagging"
operation and make up bagged "sets of parts" available (at cost) in
a number of
ways/outlets complete with printed instructions. And hope to at
least get most of
my parts costs out.

But the extra workload at the office derailed me and that goal.

Patience, please. One of my goals is to publish all my parts
sources so
anyone can get the same components I buy, directly, at the "one
each" price. I'm
pretty careful and picky on what I've been buying to insure zero
problems when
it all plugs together, and over years of use.

Bill Kronenberger
Houston


I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for
the module
has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for the
shells and
power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.
Re: Wire harness help

 

Hi,

Jeff, if you can make 10 within 2 weeks, the Tri-State Z Scalers will buy them <seriously>. We need them for our Dec. meet and for a major train show in Jan.

If not, I plan to order parts tomorrow (Tues. or Wed.) for the Tri-State Z Scalers, I'd be happy to order enough parts for CZM as well (less wire, wire is heavy to ship) as long as you let me know ASAP and I'll ship your parts at cost + acual shipping. I plan to get the 18ga speaker wire from Walmart, $8.96/100'. Only differance is it is both copper/gold color with a white stripe on one wire. Can still use the ZBT instructions, just think gold and white stripe when assembling instead of gold and silver. This seems to be the best price without buying 1000's of ft. at a time. The parts will not be as cheap as Bill K's., as I'm not buying by the 100 or 1000 parts at a time.

Having spoke to Bill K. recently, I don't think we can get cables/kits from him at this time. It's not that he doesn't want to help us, he just can't at this time. If you'll notice on the zbendtrack website, the link to cables is still there, but the link doesn't work anymore. Luckily I have printed out instructions on how to assemble them that I can copy for you. I also have a complete parts list as well. I just can't help with end & power cables yet, just thru module wiring at this point. I'm not offering to assemble cables for you now, just get the parts.

LMK, I actually hope you can help Jeff, if not, my offer is open for the CZM. All Z BeZt,

Michael Hilliard
39 Old Huckleberry Rd.
Wilton, CT 06897
ph. 203-762-2476



Jeff Merrill <sj-baz-man@...> wrote:
If not, I'd be happy to help make some up or help get parts at cost + mailing.

Jeff

----- Original Message ----
From: Robin <robinchris@...>
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 12:30:21 PM
Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Wire harness help

Some CZM members are making their first modules and need wiring
harneses. Are the kits with instructions still available for
purchase?

Thanks,
Robin

--- In Z-Bend_Track@ yahoogroups. com, zbendtrack@. .. wrote:

Stu:

There has been a short delay.....

I always thought when you retired from a company, you just filled
out a few
forms and headed through the doors to retirement.

Oh no.

For the last 4 weeks I've worked harder, and longer hours, than
ever at the
office. "You've got to finish this and that project before you
leave" ...or
worse..."here' s another special project we'd like to have you do
before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very
shortly.

Cables? I have over $800 in "stuff" for cable assemblies on hand.
From the
very start, it was never my intention to make any profit ...and I
never
did....and won't start now. It was just a z-friendly effort to
help model train
people find parts they probably didn't know where to buy.

Actually, any ZBT cable can be built up with one stop at Radio
Shack (or Dick
Smith). But you probably wouldn't like the price much as mine.
I've been
buying in multiples of 100 (or more) and with only one shipping
charge to your
door it was cheaper to get the stuff from me.

Its five years of soldering that was my undoing. Too many "F"
letters. What
started out as Fun and a Favor turned into a Factory operation. In
my N
scale days, everyone knew how to solder, but not so in Z as I found
out. Charging
5 bucks per hour for my soldering time didn't help much either (all
my own
train time was spent soldering for others because I priced my time
too cheap).
But after two miles (4.7 kilometers) of soldered cables and five
years, I just
got tired. Sorry. I've got some modules I'm dying to build in the
days
ahead.

What I plan to do is to get the entire family involved in
a "bagging"
operation and make up bagged "sets of parts" available (at cost) in
a number of
ways/outlets complete with printed instructions. And hope to at
least get most of
my parts costs out.

But the extra workload at the office derailed me and that goal.

Patience, please. One of my goals is to publish all my parts
sources so
anyone can get the same components I buy, directly, at the "one
each" price. I'm
pretty careful and picky on what I've been buying to insure zero
problems when
it all plugs together, and over years of use.

Bill Kronenberger
Houston


I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for
the module
has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for the
shells and
power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.
Re: Bolster Pin Color Chart

 

Wow, Bill H is in a talkative mood!

Bill K...as I'll be officially attending my first big Z gathering with
some of my toys I, too, would like to know what the "proper procedure" is
for registering my colors.

Thanks! And enjoy the soon-to-be retirement!

John

zbendtrack@... wrote:

There has been a short delay.....

"here's another special project we'd like to have you do before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very shortly.

Hi Bill,

I hope that you finaly got away from that horrible aflection called
"job".

No job ever asked me to extend my stay or to ever return. Maybe the
fact that when I left a job most of the employees stood outside and
threw tomatos at me was an indication of how they felt by my leaving.

To get on to the subject at hand. Is the Bolster Pin Color Chart
updated? Jeff M. of the BAZ group posted that he had a color
selection but I don't see his name on your chart.

For myself, if Black and Silver is still open, I would like to pick
those colors.

The thing that I missed most after I could not find a job after my
last employment, was the lack of adult conversation. I tried TV but
even with TV on in every room you loose continuity when you step
outside or enter a part of the house where you can't hear it. That is
when I turned to a pocket radio with ear plugs.

I still use that Karaoke mike that you sent. It is perfect for
listening to TV without bothering the rest of the household. My
hearing is getting worse. It is a problem that should have kept me
out of the Army but the draft boards in 1951 could not meet their
monthly requirements. We had a few draftees with clubbed feet. They
could hardly stand let alone march. Now, after 55 years, I think that
those draft board guys still meet once a month and ponder why there
hasn't been any draft quotas issued. My only beef with the draft
board is that I was never asked to be a member. It probably pays
enough for a cup of Starbucks at least once a week.

I am on a list for reciving email jokes and funny mails. I never pass
on any material that I wish I had never received. I also never pass
on any of those messages that ask you to pass on to 10 other frineds
or your house will be flooded by the next Katrina.

I will pass on some of them to you. If you want me to stop, just
reply and say STOP!!

Most of them will brighten up your day.

Bill H.
El Toro, CA
Re: Bolster Pin Color Chart

 

zbendtrack@... wrote:

There has been a short delay.....

"here's another special project we'd like to have you do before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very shortly.

Hi Bill,

I hope that you finaly got away from that horrible aflection called
"job".

No job ever asked me to extend my stay or to ever return. Maybe the
fact that when I left a job most of the employees stood outside and
threw tomatos at me was an indication of how they felt by my leaving.

To get on to the subject at hand. Is the Bolster Pin Color Chart
updated? Jeff M. of the BAZ group posted that he had a color
selection but I don't see his name on your chart.

For myself, if Black and Silver is still open, I would like to pick
those colors.

The thing that I missed most after I could not find a job after my
last employment, was the lack of adult conversation. I tried TV but
even with TV on in every room you loose continuity when you step
outside or enter a part of the house where you can't hear it. That is
when I turned to a pocket radio with ear plugs.

I still use that Karaoke mike that you sent. It is perfect for
listening to TV without bothering the rest of the household. My
hearing is getting worse. It is a problem that should have kept me
out of the Army but the draft boards in 1951 could not meet their
monthly requirements. We had a few draftees with clubbed feet. They
could hardly stand let alone march. Now, after 55 years, I think that
those draft board guys still meet once a month and ponder why there
hasn't been any draft quotas issued. My only beef with the draft
board is that I was never asked to be a member. It probably pays
enough for a cup of Starbucks at least once a week.

I am on a list for reciving email jokes and funny mails. I never pass
on any material that I wish I had never received. I also never pass
on any of those messages that ask you to pass on to 10 other frineds
or your house will be flooded by the next Katrina.

I will pass on some of them to you. If you want me to stop, just
reply and say STOP!!

Most of them will brighten up your day.

Bill H.
El Toro, CA
Trainfest 2006 Pictures

 

Hi All

I just put up the pictures on my website of Trainfest in Milwaukee,
WI. It's the show 35th anniversary and one of America's Largest
Operating Model Railroad Show. There was a Z scale group there the
WIZ KIDZ with there Z bend Modules. They even had a Z Scale cigar box
contest going on where the people at the show could vote who is got
the best cigar box.
At the Manufactures booths Z Scale had a strong showing. Marklin was
there with a layout. Micro Trains had a booth there and was showing
off the new 60' flat car and was showing of the auto switch box for
there switches. Along with a custom painted GP35 and there new HOn3
log car.GCLaser had all the new products there from O to Z and you
could just see the size diferent. Plus N Scale Archtect was there
with there products including there saw mill.

There was alot more layout of all scales with many different ideas.
Five of N trak clubs even got together to form one large layout.
There was clubs that even had mixed scales. Hope you enjoy the photos
I took; I had a fun time taking them.

To see the pictures go to my site at



then click the green hobby button at the top of the home page and
that will take you to the hobby page and just click the yellow train
show link at the left side of the page and pick the show


Hobby Crafts N More
Re: Wire harness help

Jeff Merrill
 

If not, I'd be happy to help make some up or help get parts at cost + mailing.

Jeff

----- Original Message ----
From: Robin <robinchris@...>
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Saturday, November 11, 2006 12:30:21 PM
Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Wire harness help

Some CZM members are making their first modules and need wiring
harneses. Are the kits with instructions still available for
purchase?

Thanks,
Robin

--- In Z-Bend_Track@ yahoogroups. com, zbendtrack@. .. wrote:

Stu:

There has been a short delay.....

I always thought when you retired from a company, you just filled
out a few
forms and headed through the doors to retirement.

Oh no.

For the last 4 weeks I've worked harder, and longer hours, than
ever at the
office. "You've got to finish this and that project before you
leave" ...or
worse..."here' s another special project we'd like to have you do
before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very
shortly.

Cables? I have over $800 in "stuff" for cable assemblies on hand.
From the
very start, it was never my intention to make any profit ...and I
never
did....and won't start now. It was just a z-friendly effort to
help model train
people find parts they probably didn't know where to buy.

Actually, any ZBT cable can be built up with one stop at Radio
Shack (or Dick
Smith). But you probably wouldn't like the price much as mine.
I've been
buying in multiples of 100 (or more) and with only one shipping
charge to your
door it was cheaper to get the stuff from me.

Its five years of soldering that was my undoing. Too many "F"
letters. What
started out as Fun and a Favor turned into a Factory operation. In
my N
scale days, everyone knew how to solder, but not so in Z as I found
out. Charging
5 bucks per hour for my soldering time didn't help much either (all
my own
train time was spent soldering for others because I priced my time
too cheap).
But after two miles (4.7 kilometers) of soldered cables and five
years, I just
got tired. Sorry. I've got some modules I'm dying to build in the
days
ahead.

What I plan to do is to get the entire family involved in
a "bagging"
operation and make up bagged "sets of parts" available (at cost) in
a number of
ways/outlets complete with printed instructions. And hope to at
least get most of
my parts costs out.

But the extra workload at the office derailed me and that goal.

Patience, please. One of my goals is to publish all my parts
sources so
anyone can get the same components I buy, directly, at the "one
each" price. I'm
pretty careful and picky on what I've been buying to insure zero
problems when
it all plugs together, and over years of use.

Bill Kronenberger
Houston


I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for
the module
has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for the
shells and
power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.
Re: Wire harness help

Robin
 

Some CZM members are making their first modules and need wiring
harneses. Are the kits with instructions still available for
purchase?

Thanks,
Robin


--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., zbendtrack@... wrote:

Stu:

There has been a short delay.....

I always thought when you retired from a company, you just filled
out a few
forms and headed through the doors to retirement.

Oh no.

For the last 4 weeks I've worked harder, and longer hours, than
ever at the
office. "You've got to finish this and that project before you
leave" ...or
worse..."here's another special project we'd like to have you do
before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very
shortly.

Cables? I have over $800 in "stuff" for cable assemblies on hand.
From the
very start, it was never my intention to make any profit ...and I
never
did....and won't start now. It was just a z-friendly effort to
help model train
people find parts they probably didn't know where to buy.

Actually, any ZBT cable can be built up with one stop at Radio
Shack (or Dick
Smith). But you probably wouldn't like the price much as mine.
I've been
buying in multiples of 100 (or more) and with only one shipping
charge to your
door it was cheaper to get the stuff from me.

Its five years of soldering that was my undoing. Too many "F"
letters. What
started out as Fun and a Favor turned into a Factory operation. In
my N
scale days, everyone knew how to solder, but not so in Z as I found
out. Charging
5 bucks per hour for my soldering time didn't help much either (all
my own
train time was spent soldering for others because I priced my time
too cheap).
But after two miles (4.7 kilometers) of soldered cables and five
years, I just
got tired. Sorry. I've got some modules I'm dying to build in the
days
ahead.

What I plan to do is to get the entire family involved in
a "bagging"
operation and make up bagged "sets of parts" available (at cost) in
a number of
ways/outlets complete with printed instructions. And hope to at
least get most of
my parts costs out.

But the extra workload at the office derailed me and that goal.

Patience, please. One of my goals is to publish all my parts
sources so
anyone can get the same components I buy, directly, at the "one
each" price. I'm
pretty careful and picky on what I've been buying to insure zero
problems when
it all plugs together, and over years of use.

Bill Kronenberger
Houston


I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for
the module
has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for the
shells and
power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.
iHobby Expo pictures

 

Hi All

I just put up the pictures on my website of the big dealer show in
Chicago the International iHobby Expo. There wasn't any Z Scale Layout
but some of the dealers have Z Scale at there booths. There was also
and Nn3 Scale module on one of the N Scale layouts. Go to my site at



then click the green hobby button at the top of the home page and that
will take you to the hobby page and just click the yellow train show
link at the left side of the page and pick the show

Kevin
Hobby Crafts N More
www.hobbycraftsnmore.com
Re: Track feeders, how many and how often

Glen Chenier
 

Thanks for the added detail, Bill. It's been awhile since I laid any track and am getting forgetful, your caveat is a reminder of other caveats. Soldering the joiners is also a must for kink avoidance when the join is in flextrack on a curve.

Where one might want a non-soldered metal joiner is every few feet on only straight sections with a small gap between rail ends (a physical gap, not neccesarily an electrical gap) to allow for thermal expansion and contraction of the rail without buckling. Bevel the rail inside corners very slighly at the gaps to prevent flanges from picking the corners, and avoid putting large gaps on curves where the flange bears harder against the outer rail. Also place expansion gaps at turnouts to prevent rail thermal expansion from pushing the turnout rails out of alignment (and makes it much easier to replace a future defective turnout) and solder feeders directly to the turnout itself.

How much gap and how often? See below, better to overdo it than underdo, especially if the module will be transported in a car and left parked in the sun. Obviously the gap must be small enough to not derail, about 1/32" or less (approx 0.79mm), and of course have feeders to either side of this gap so electrical continuity is not needed through the non-soldered joint.

A google search found this which lists the coefficient of expansion for Nickel Silver rail(64% copper, 18% zinc, 18% nickel) at 15 parts per million per degree Celcius. Assume you lay rail at room temperature (20C) and want to leave enough expansion gap to withstand up to 70C (the hot car in the sun) so there is a 50C change in temperature, or 50C x 15ppm/C = 750 ppm, or 0.75mm gap for every meter of track.

Realisitically, if you don't ever plan to leave a layout in a car parked in the sun with the windows closed, the worst that could happen is your A/C craps out and the room temperature might rise to 40C on a hot summer day with all the windows open. So with only a 20C temperature rise the expansion is 300ppm or 0.3mm gap every meter, which is a lot easier to handle on a typical layout.

This link has some good info on track electrical issues


Does the new MTL sectional track need to be soldered or is there an auxiliary electrical connection made in the roadbed?

Now I get to go do my Sunday chore which is crawling into a hot attic to replace a burned out vent fan motor. Phewww! Good thing I don't have an attic layout. Must be 60C up there!

Glen Chenier
Deep in the Hot of Texas

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Hoshiko
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Sunday, July 23, 2006 6:01 AM
Subject: [Z-Bend_Track] Re: Track feeders, how many and how often


"Glen Chenier" <chenierfam@...> wrote:
>
> We had a discussion on this back in March 2005 on the Z_Scale
list. MTL rail has about the same electrical resistance as AWG28
copper wire. If a power bus of AWG18 or larger is run under the
table, in most cases a feeder connection every 6 feet is adequate.
Every 3 feet is even better, especially when running multiple units.
>
>

Hi,

One caveat. That all of the short pieces are well soldered
together. To have one feeder soldered to one piece of rail connected
by rail joiners to others is not a solution. To rely on rail joiners
as permanent electrical connectors is an invitation to frustration.

Some folks solder the rail together for permanent electrical
continuity. Others connect feeder wires to each piece of rail for
the same. Or you may use a combination of the two. Your choice.
Just make certain that, besides having each rail in alignment with
the next, they must have elextrical continuity. Except where you
want an electrical gap. (there is always some kind of exception)

Bill H.
El Toro, CA
Re: Track feeders, how many and how often

 

"Glen Chenier" <chenierfam@...> wrote:

We had a discussion on this back in March 2005 on the Z_Scale
list. MTL rail has about the same electrical resistance as AWG28
copper wire. If a power bus of AWG18 or larger is run under the
table, in most cases a feeder connection every 6 feet is adequate.
Every 3 feet is even better, especially when running multiple units.

Hi,

One caveat. That all of the short pieces are well soldered
together. To have one feeder soldered to one piece of rail connected
by rail joiners to others is not a solution. To rely on rail joiners
as permanent electrical connectors is an invitation to frustration.

Some folks solder the rail together for permanent electrical
continuity. Others connect feeder wires to each piece of rail for
the same. Or you may use a combination of the two. Your choice.
Just make certain that, besides having each rail in alignment with
the next, they must have elextrical continuity. Except where you
want an electrical gap. (there is always some kind of exception)

Bill H.
El Toro, CA
Re: Track feeders, how many and how often

 

--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Glen Chenier" <chenierfam@...>
wrote:

We had a discussion on this back in March 2005 on the Z_Scale list.
MTL rail has about the same electrical resistance as AWG28 copper wire.
If a power bus of AWG18 or larger is run under the table, in most cases
a feeder connection every 6 feet is adequate. Every 3 feet is even
better, especially when running multiple units.

----- Original Message -----
From: randy smidt
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Z-Bend_Track] Track feeders, how many and how often


About every three feet or so is good, Stu. If you are using MTL flex
track that's only about a foot long so it would be a LOT of feeders if
you did one per piece of flex. For Peco or Marklin flex that is closer
to three feet long, it would come out to about one feeder per piece of
flex track.

Sounds like you are making good progress.

Randy

cgwcnw ksonta@... wrote:
Started to lay down some track on my modules and then I had a mental
block, In N-scale I
lay feeders about evry length of flex track. In Z scale do i do the
same thing?? every piece of
flex track, or is it one per module, every some many feet ???? Any
sugesstions frome those
who have do it before.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Track feeders, how many and how often

Glen Chenier
 

We had a discussion on this back in March 2005 on the Z_Scale list. MTL rail has about the same electrical resistance as AWG28 copper wire. If a power bus of AWG18 or larger is run under the table, in most cases a feeder connection every 6 feet is adequate. Every 3 feet is even better, especially when running multiple units.

----- Original Message -----
From: randy smidt
To: Z-Bend_Track@...
Sent: Saturday, July 22, 2006 6:15 PM
Subject: Re: [Z-Bend_Track] Track feeders, how many and how often


About every three feet or so is good, Stu. If you are using MTL flex track that's only about a foot long so it would be a LOT of feeders if you did one per piece of flex. For Peco or Marklin flex that is closer to three feet long, it would come out to about one feeder per piece of flex track.

Sounds like you are making good progress.

Randy

cgwcnw <ksonta@...> wrote:
Started to lay down some track on my modules and then I had a mental block, In N-scale I
lay feeders about evry length of flex track. In Z scale do i do the same thing?? every piece of
flex track, or is it one per module, every some many feet ???? Any sugesstions frome those
who have do it before.
Re: Track feeders, how many and how often

randy smidt
 

About every three feet or so is good, Stu. If you are using MTL flex track that's only about a foot long so it would be a LOT of feeders if you did one per piece of flex. For Peco or Marklin flex that is closer to three feet long, it would come out to about one feeder per piece of flex track.

Sounds like you are making good progress.

Randy

cgwcnw <ksonta@...> wrote:
Started to lay down some track on my modules and then I had a mental block, In N-scale I
lay feeders about evry length of flex track. In Z scale do i do the same thing?? every piece of
flex track, or is it one per module, every some many feet ???? Any sugesstions frome those
who have do it before.
Track feeders, how many and how often

 

Started to lay down some track on my modules and then I had a mental block, In N-scale I
lay feeders about evry length of flex track. In Z scale do i do the same thing?? every piece of
flex track, or is it one per module, every some many feet ???? Any sugesstions frome those
who have do it before.
Re: how tight is the track spacing and other musings

randy smidt
 

Hi Stu,

It was a pleasure talking with you in Philly. You seem very enthused for NTS 2007. Glad you found your way to the list here.

The Z-Bend Track standard calls for 1" centerline to centerline spacing at the modules joints. You can actually vary from that one you move away from the module joints (although I wouldn't recomend going lower than that because of clearance).

The standards call for pretty exact placement of track at the module joints, but in practice I've seen over 1/8" of slip in the placement to either side of the centerline and the trains still run OK for the most part. I typically use white glue to secure the track on the ends of the modules so if it needs to be realigned, just wet it and glue it down again.

Again, the standards calls for bolt holes to join the modules, but typically the bolts are used more for alignment and then they are cinched together tight with C clamps. Some of the earliest modules built still don't have bolt holes in them since I believe this was added in the 2004 edition of the standard.

ZBT standards can be found at:

www.zbendtrack.org

Stu, and anyore else interested in bringing Z modules to Detroit, please drop me a line when you get a chance (I was actually going to write you tomorrow anyway as a follow up to our conversation in Philly). I wanted to talk about NTS 2007 in Detroit. I did not reserve any module display space with Dean and Debbie while in Philly but a couple of other module folks have expressed interest if you want to try to do a combined display. I likely won't be able to make it to Detroit since we have a family reunion planned for the same week. :-( However, both Tom Gilcrest from Seattle and I are thinking of shipping a couple of modules to the show if folks are going to set up a Z-Bend Track (and possibly other standards using transition modules) display.

Thanks,
Randy Smidt
randy@...
ZTrack magazine module coordinator





cgwcnw <ksonta@...> wrote:
Hopefully all got back from the NTS without any problems. One of the things I forgot to ask
the module owners was: How tight is the track spacing from the centerline of the module.
How much error can the module tolerate in the width direction of the track spacing??

The other million dollar question is are modules bolted together or just c clamped together?

I have four modules built that I would like to have ready for the 07' NTS here in detroit mi.

More to come.

Thanks
Stu
Re: Wire harness help

 

Stu:

There has been a short delay.....

I always thought when you retired from a company, you just filled out a few
forms and headed through the doors to retirement.

Oh no.

For the last 4 weeks I've worked harder, and longer hours, than ever at the
office. "You've got to finish this and that project before you leave" ...or
worse..."here's another special project we'd like to have you do before you
leave."

Well, Friday is my last day. So I'll have more train time very shortly.

Cables? I have over $800 in "stuff" for cable assemblies on hand. From the
very start, it was never my intention to make any profit ...and I never
did....and won't start now. It was just a z-friendly effort to help model train
people find parts they probably didn't know where to buy.

Actually, any ZBT cable can be built up with one stop at Radio Shack (or Dick
Smith). But you probably wouldn't like the price much as mine. I've been
buying in multiples of 100 (or more) and with only one shipping charge to your
door it was cheaper to get the stuff from me.

Its five years of soldering that was my undoing. Too many "F" letters. What
started out as Fun and a Favor turned into a Factory operation. In my N
scale days, everyone knew how to solder, but not so in Z as I found out. Charging
5 bucks per hour for my soldering time didn't help much either (all my own
train time was spent soldering for others because I priced my time too cheap).
But after two miles (4.7 kilometers) of soldered cables and five years, I just
got tired. Sorry. I've got some modules I'm dying to build in the days
ahead.

What I plan to do is to get the entire family involved in a "bagging"
operation and make up bagged "sets of parts" available (at cost) in a number of
ways/outlets complete with printed instructions. And hope to at least get most of
my parts costs out.

But the extra workload at the office derailed me and that goal.

Patience, please. One of my goals is to publish all my parts sources so
anyone can get the same components I buy, directly, at the "one each" price. I'm
pretty careful and picky on what I've been buying to insure zero problems when
it all plugs together, and over years of use.

Bill Kronenberger
Houston

I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for the module
has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for the shells and
power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.
Wire harness help

 

I understand the gentleman who was making the cable harness for the module has moved on
in this endevor. Does anyone have a list for part numbers for the shells and power connector
shell from digikey, mouser or the like.

Thanks

stu
how tight is the track spacing and other musings

 

Hopefully all got back from the NTS without any problems. One of the things I forgot to ask
the module owners was: How tight is the track spacing from the centerline of the module.
How much error can the module tolerate in the width direction of the track spacing??

The other million dollar question is are modules bolted together or just c clamped together?

I have four modules built that I would like to have ready for the 07' NTS here in detroit mi.

More to come.


Thanks
Stu
Re: Very sorry to say this!

Don Avila
 

--- In Z-Bend_Track@..., "Aaron Poscovsky"
<aposcovsky@...> wrote:

No Longer a discounter!!!

After four long years of giving discount. I can NO longer stay in
business this way. If you wish to do business with discounter, it's
okay with me. Just do not jump down on me, because I can't give you a
discount.


I have a stack of bills from giving away my life savings to help ours.



Thank you.

Aaron Poscovsky
AJ Model Trains
O.K., you got my attention. Yet when I go to your site you seem to
still list a lot of items, for instance MTL, at a pretty substantial
discount. What do I not understand? ...don
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