Finally starting our track build

[JonCBrand]

Lap Master system came in. Track is sanded and painted. I plan to start wiring this weekend. I have a quick question on wire guage. Im leaning towards using 12 or 10awg to wire the individual lanes any input??? Obviously the larger power/ground for the entire track will be done in likely 4awg welding cable.

[Mark H]

I went back read thread. I did not see where you posted the cars/motors you will be running. Check out this link. It will show power drop over distance for a given gage wire. I used 12gs stranded for lane distribution and 8ga from power supply to main power taps, ~4ft, on relay board for each lane to pull power from. We run up to GR12 and never have a problem. My power tap runs are ~25ft. Remember that the smallest link in the system dictates the strength. So if you are going to use the normal 50/30 or 40/30 amp relays most people use, the conductor through these is relatively small. Because it is also short it can carry a pretty good load. I think you might be going a bit heavy for main power supply to relay board but I guess better safe than sorry.

Raymond knows what he is talking about and I am sure he is lurking around here somewhere. He can answer this with authority.

[JonCBrand]

We will be running mostly 16d cars until the other guys in the group get hooked and want to run faster cars. I started friday night and will have 10awg for the track connections. I was able to get the power supply, batteries, and ground side of track wired. Need to mount the relay and timing panel, then a few more nights on my back wiring in power taps and setting up the drivers station.

[Markg]

70's should be fine with the cap and batteries! be sure you get 13.8 - 14.1 at the pannel...should be clean and fast...