Best Dropper materials

[Ian Smeeton]

Working in 2mm scale, I have now reached the stage where I would like to power the track.

 

I did consider DCC, however, the size of the layout, and the size of loco numbers, especially where there may be more than one of each type/class more or less identical meant that Dc is the preferred option.

 

I would like to be as  discreet as possible with wires to the track, and as the rail is code 40 BH, then as small a cross section as possible is desireable.

 

I aquired a length of heavy duty non-flex, which will yield quite a bit of copper, however each strand of copper looks to be about 1mm thick. Far too thick for what I have in mind.

 

I have seen recommendations that 7/0.2 wire is suitable.

 

By my calculations 7/0.2 wire gives a cross section (Pi r² X Strands) =0.2198 mm²

 

I have some brass rod of 0.7mm dia and 0.33mm dia.

 

These give cross sections of:

 

0.7mm = 0.38465 mm²

 

0.33mm = 0.085 mm²

 

Bearing in mind that brass is about 28% as conductive as copper, does the collective RMWeb mind think that either of the brass rods will be conductive enough?

 

Other sugggestions would also be of interest.

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Enterprisingwestern]

I use 0.5mm brass rod in DCC 4mm, I would think that would be discreet enough in 2mm, maybe even drop down to 0.33mm.

 

Mike.

[JohnGi]

Bearing in mind that brass is about 28% as conductive as copper, does the collective RMWeb mind think that either of the brass rods will be conductive enough?

 

 

 

Hi,

 

Resistance = (resistivity)*length/area

 

The droppers will be much shorter than the rails themselves. You're picking brass wire similar to, or slightly less than the cross section of the rail. Therefore the majority of the resistance will be in the rails themselves. I'm sure this will be OK.

 

John

[Crosland]

Resistance = (resistivity)*length/area

 

The droppers will be much shorter than the rails themselves. You're picking brass wire similar to, or slightly less than the cross section of the rail. Therefore the majority of the resistance will be in the rails themselves. I'm sure this will be OK.

 

Agreed

 

By the same principle, DCC droppers can be very much thinner than the bus wire, depending how long they are.

[Junctionmad]

7/0.1 is readily available and would be suitable for directly soldering to the bottom on N gauge track

[Ian Smeeton]

7/0.1 is readily available and would be suitable for directly soldering to the bottom on N gauge track

 

Thanks for that, but I am on Code 40 Bullhead 2mm FS.

 

And to all who have replied, I think that I will cobble up a test piece of Easitrack, and have a play with the iron, a 9V batter and my only running loco and see what transpires/expires/perspires.

 

Off to Loughborough tomorrow, so If I find brains, they will be picked. Wife may get bored!

 

Regards

 

Ian

[Junctionmad]

Thanks for that, but I am on Code 40 Bullhead 2mm FS.

 

And to all who have replied, I think that I will cobble up a test piece of Easitrack, and have a play with the iron, a 9V batter and my only running loco and see what transpires/expires/perspires.

 

Off to Loughborough tomorrow, so If I find brains, they will be picked. Wife may get bored!

 

Regards

 

Ian

Err, what’s the issue , I’ve solderd 7/0.1 to N gauge FS , fiddlly , but no more then mucking about with brass rods , which is not a good solution as it adds more soldered joints into the dropper circuit Edited September 2, 2018 by Junctionmad

[Ian Smeeton]

Err, what’s the issue , I’ve solderd 7/0.1 to N gauge FS , fiddlly , but no more then mucking about with brass rods , which is not a good solution as it adds more soldered joints into the dropper circuit

 

Sorry, you didnt mention the FS part, I was thinking of standard Code 80 FB as opposed to the code 40 BH

 

Thanks, I will have a look at the 7/0.1

 

Regards

 

Ian