South Auckland Junction

[JohnSmithUK]

The soldering has started. Four connections made. Amazingly the joints are quite robust, and pass current to the track.

I have a picture of the first connection. I am sure they will improve as I go along. Minimal sleeper melting is a bonus.

The track needs a proper clean once this is done.

[RogerB]

Great start. You might find it easier (?) if you tin the outer side of the rails a little further away [perhaps where the red and black circles are] from your point of descent below the board and run the wire laterally along the web. Then, if you tin the end of the wire as well you will only need a short touch of the iron to solder them together. If you have any more holes to make you might like to consider putting them in the centre of the track [in yellow]. This makes it a little easier to conceal the wires later if that is an issue for you. You have found the gap in the sleepers so use that where possible.



I did it as you have and simply pass on to you the tip given to me by the old hands on here . I painted the wires black at a much later stage.

R-

[JohnSmithUK]

Great start. You might find it easier (?) if you tin the outer side of the rails a little further away [perhaps where the red and black circles are] from your point of descent below the board and run the wire laterally along the web. Then, if you tin the end of the wire as well you will only need a short touch of the iron to solder them together. If you have any more holes to make you might like to consider putting them in the centre of the track [in yellow]. This makes it a little easier to conceal the wires later if that is an issue for you. You have found the gap in the sleepers so use that where possible.



I did it as you have and simply pass on to you the tip given to me by the old hands on here . I painted the wires black at a much later stage.

R-

Thank you for the advice. I have moved on a bit since this morning. About ten done now.

I have learnt from others and every wire is labled with a simplified wiring diagram matching the assigned labels.

[JohnSmithUK]

Circled connections are complete and tested.

[Bandit Mick]

Great start. I put droppers to every piece of track laid and haven't had problems with conductivity. You can't beat plenty of labelling - it helps a great deal if something does go wrong at a later date.

[JohnSmithUK]

Great start. I put droppers to every piece of track laid and haven't had problems with conductivity. You can't beat plenty of labelling - it helps a great deal if something does go wrong at a later date.

Still being a novice, I know problems will happen at some point, so trying to make it easier to diagnose is a good preemptive step.

[JohnSmithUK]

Anither quick update.

Soldering - COMPLETE!!!!!!

[JohnSmithUK]

Next step, turning these pretty lines into a joined up electrical supply.

A rare picture of the layout/mess without being a dumping ground.

[JohnSmithUK]

Connecting up has started. It may be a rat's nest, but it is my labelled rat's nest.

[RogerB]

Hmmm...looks familiar. R-