Redford73 Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 A couple of questions about this as I've never used it but am planning to on next layout. Where can I buy copper strips and in what sizes do they come (length/width/depths)? In addition to using them to secure rails to baseboard edges can they not be used as electrical connections between boards by utilising strips angled over the edge of the baseboard so that they facilitate electrical conduct between boards when aligned? I know you would cut the strip in between track/rails to prevent short circuit. This would prevent the necessity of wiring between baseboard joins. Sorry if this is an obvious query but I haven't seen it suggested in any of the magazine topics on joining baseboards and am surprised it isn't used as an alternative to wiring. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaz Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 If I were going to do this I would only use copper strip on one side of the joint - some sort of sprung contact on the other side would make the electrical contact more reliable. The more conductors you want to connect across the join the more chance there is of one of them making poor contact. On my exhibition layout Dock Green I went for jumper cables with a plug on each end to bridge from one board to the next. I have four conductors to connect - 2 for the DCC bus and 2 for the 12V DC suppply for points etc. As Dock Green is O gauge the rail ends are soldered to brass screws which sit directly under the rail and can be height adjusted very simply before soldering. Chaz Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Phil Bullock Posted January 1, 2015 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 1, 2015 Marcway have ready cut sleepers see http://www.marcway.net/list3.php?col=head&name=PCB+PRE-CUT+SLEEPERS The disadvantage of any board to board contact system as you describe - particularly with DCC - is the loss of the ability to disconnect jumper wires between boards to help track down shorts Kind regards Phil Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseldog Posted January 1, 2015 Share Posted January 1, 2015 I have adopted this method on my current layout "foxton yard" I did exactly what you are suggesting; bent the copper strips over the edge of the base board and secured with a felt nail on the bit that is inbetween the boards (this way I know they will be touching) and then soldered the top of the strip to the rails, works ok for me. hope this helps Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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