Welcome to the forum   
Welcome Guest! To enable all features please Login or Register.

Notification

Icon
Error

Share
Options
View
Go to last post in this topic Go to first unread post in this topic
Offline Nrwatson  
#1 Posted : 23 November 2019 23:18:42(UTC)
Nrwatson

United Kingdom   
Joined: 27/06/2019(UTC)
Posts: 7
Location: England, London
Do you advise soldering the track together
Offline Poor Skeleton  
#2 Posted : 24 November 2019 13:34:57(UTC)
Poor Skeleton

United Kingdom   
Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC)
Posts: 550
Location: England, Cambridge
Originally Posted by: Nrwatson Go to Quoted Post
Do you advise soldering the track together


I have seen some reports of poor electrical connection between sections, but I have not suffered any myself and personally I would advise against soldering rail joints. I think the risk of damaging the plastic section of the track is too high and I don't see any benefits in doing so.

Many years ago I soldered the joints of my (N Gauge) track and it caused no-end of trouble as the track expanded and contracted with temperature, so it's definitely something I now actively avoid.

Hope this is of help


Chris
Offline DaleSchultz  
#3 Posted : 24 November 2019 15:20:32(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
Originally Posted by: Nrwatson Go to Quoted Post
Do you advise soldering the track together


depends on the type of track... if it is K-track, yes, I very much recommend soldering pieces together to make up sections about 2m long. Each of the 2m long sections are then wired in. It ensures that every piece of track has an electrical path that is good all the way. If you don't achieve that you will not have fun with your layout.

I document my steps at https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com/2005/07/laying-k-track.html
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by DaleSchultz
Offline PMPeter  
#4 Posted : 24 November 2019 16:20:59(UTC)
PMPeter

Canada   
Joined: 04/04/2013(UTC)
Posts: 1,273
Location: Port Moody, BC
The topic is listed under Small Scale, so I'm not sure K track recommendation applies. However, if the topic relates to track in general then I agree for K track I solder all of my joints up to isolation points.

Peter
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by PMPeter
Offline DaleSchultz  
#5 Posted : 24 November 2019 17:24:05(UTC)
DaleSchultz

United States   
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC)
Posts: 3,997
ah, yes I did not notice the section. I would say if it is not C or M track, solder. So I would also solder Z scale track.
Dale
Intellibox + own software, K-Track
My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com
Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
Offline Poor Skeleton  
#6 Posted : 24 November 2019 17:48:55(UTC)
Poor Skeleton

United Kingdom   
Joined: 09/10/2015(UTC)
Posts: 550
Location: England, Cambridge
Originally Posted by: DaleSchultz Go to Quoted Post
ah, yes I did not notice the section. I would say if it is not C or M track, solder. So I would also solder Z scale track.


I see I am outnumbered here!

If you do decide to solder, what I would say, is to search out some regular 60/40 leaded solder. It has a lower melting point than lead-free solder and is generally easier to work with so reduces the risk of collateral damage!

Cheers


Chris
Offline Bahner  
#7 Posted : 25 November 2019 02:00:22(UTC)
Bahner

United States   
Joined: 18/11/2017(UTC)
Posts: 166
Location: California, East Bay
Originally Posted by: Nrwatson Go to Quoted Post
Do you advise soldering the track together


I soldered all the joints in my N scale Minitrix track layout (except the switches) and that has worked out very well.

I have done the same on my in progress Z Marklin layout. I used a small precision tip soldering iron to avoid overheating which could potential melt the surrounding track ties and such.


Ralph.

Offline husafreak  
#8 Posted : 25 November 2019 18:18:32(UTC)
husafreak

United States   
Joined: 09/04/2019(UTC)
Posts: 557
Location: California, Bay Area
That is something I had not heard about or thought of. Soldering track, But I am using Rokuhan track. Conductivity does not seem to be a problem, the joiners are very tight. I have seen pictures posted showing the importance of crushing the connectors on some Z track so that may have been because they are not as tight on Marklin track.
I agree with the above post that a good soldering iron is essential, I have a Weller soldering station that can use a fine tip and heat up to 850 degrees. It is then a very quick process to solder as only a tiny portion of the track is heated for a very short time.
Offline Profpetrof  
#9 Posted : 10 December 2019 08:02:30(UTC)
Profpetrof

South Africa   
Joined: 07/04/2015(UTC)
Posts: 13
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
I have come up with a very good solution for the connections to Z Track. I make use of the ends of a low resistance resister, which is very thin and hard, and squeeze it in between the track and track bed. I then loop it back through the next sleeper, and bend the end down to hold. The long piece can then be bent down, and taken through the scenery and soldered onto your feeder wire. This does not damage the plastic, and does not permanently modify the track.

My question is how to safely remove the track connector to isolate a section of rail.
Offline husafreak  
#10 Posted : 10 December 2019 08:13:29(UTC)
husafreak

United States   
Joined: 09/04/2019(UTC)
Posts: 557
Location: California, Bay Area
I believe Atlas makes plastic track isolators that replace the metal conductive ones
Offline zscalehobo  
#11 Posted : 10 December 2019 22:14:00(UTC)
zscalehobo

United States   
Joined: 22/01/2014(UTC)
Posts: 186
Location: CALIFORNIA, Irvine
Originally Posted by: husafreak Go to Quoted Post
I believe Atlas makes plastic track isolators that replace the metal conductive ones


The Atlas N isolators work with Rokuhan Z but NOT with Märklin Z. Atlas 2091
Frank Daniels
Owner - z.scale.hobo
A Noch "Top Dealer"
Marklin Dealer and Z Locomotive Service
Irvine, California, USA
www.zscalehobo.com
Offline husafreak  
#12 Posted : 11 December 2019 03:50:17(UTC)
husafreak

United States   
Joined: 09/04/2019(UTC)
Posts: 557
Location: California, Bay Area
Thanks Frank, I would hate to give bad advice.
Users browsing this topic
Forum Jump  
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.

| Powered by YAF.NET | YAF.NET © 2003-2024, Yet Another Forum.NET
This page was generated in 0.841 seconds.