Cabling from MTS III to railway.

[Anglian]

Hi all. Just connecting up a 50110 / 55006p to the great outdoors. Both are indoors. As well as the track power wiring there will be a separate ac supply to the outdoor point controls which will be going out through the wall using plastic conduit under paving. It only has to go about 4 metres. First question is, do I need to connect to heavy cabling for such a short length?
The second question relates to the handheld controller. Is there another way to connect it to the MTSIII so that I don't lose so much of the length of cable it is fitted with. I don't think I have seen this mentioned anywhere. Maybe I am missing something obvious.
Trevor

 

[Gizzy]

You can use mains cable for the track, or something of a similar gauge.

I originally extended my Handset cable with a Cat 5 cable and an in line coupler, which I have at work.

https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/70421re/coupler-rj45-cat6-in-line/dp/AV11885?st=cat 5 joiner

But eventually, I used the LGB 55050/55055 Wireless Transmitter/Receiver....

 

[dunnyrail]

Logic suggests that heavy Cable is best for your Track Connections. But for the Points Control Normal Bell Type Wire will be adequate.

As for your Controller I believe that you are wanting to connect it to your Central Station but elongate the wire in some way. Hm tricky, I have pulled apart the wires on one of these in the past and it is very fine and almost (but not entirely) impossible to solder up to make longer. Also as there is no Colour Coding it is very easy to get the Wires mixed up. You may be able to lengthen the Wires by having a length pass through the wall from your Handset, cut and using these with a Length to join with.

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BUT AS I said joining the Handset Cable is a dodgy process.

What may be better is to have a separate piece of Conduit with no cables in it through the wall to press just the Plug from the Handset through to then plug into your Central Station which hopefully be located just the other side of the wall indoors?

 

[Zerogee]

You can use mains cable for the track, or something of a similar gauge.

I originally extended my Handset cable with a Cat 5 cable and an in line coupler, which I have at work.

https://cpc.farnell.com/unbranded/70421re/coupler-rj45-cat6-in-line/dp/AV11885?st=cat 5 joiner

But eventually, I used the LGB 55050/55055 Wireless Transmitter/Receiver....

That was going to be my simplest suggestion, too.... an RJ45 extension cable (male/male) with a female/female coupler on the end - run the extension cable through your conduit, plug the inner end into your MTSIII CS, the coupler onto the other end as a receptacle for the plug on your handset cable. No soldering or making up of special cables needed, everything should just plug in.

Jon.

 

[Zerogee]

For the power feeds, I used some heavy duty 2-core (stranded) speaker cable that I bought from Maplin (R.I.P....) - though others prefer to use solid-core mains cable - both seem to work just fine....

Jon.

 

[PhilP]

As others have said..
Feed your handset cable through first (more room when conduit empty). Use a coupler to connect another length of cable, if necessary.
For your points: Any reasonable size two-core cable will do. - Very little current will be used, and for a very short (no pun) time.
For your track-feed: Heaviest cable you can find/feed. - A single run, with no joints is best.

PhilP.

 

[muns]

Just make sure that the extension/coupler cable does not swap any of the 4 center connections around.

 

[Anglian]

Thank you all for maintaining the excellent support I now realise is the norm for this site. The appearance of a bit of banter is also a bonus. I like that.
Trevor

 

[Gizzy]

Trev, I've found a spare Cat 5 joiner if you want it?

Just PM me your address and I'll post it to you FoC....

 

[Anglian]

Hi Gizzy.
You are obviously a true gentleman. I will indeed accept your kind offer.
Please explain PM. Sorry but acronyms again. You only need to tell me once. Yes, I liked 'Hello, Hello'.
Trevor

 

[Zerogee]

Hi Gizzy.
You are obviously a true gentleman. I will indeed accept your kind offer.
Please explain PM. Sorry but acronyms again. You only need to tell me once. Yes, I liked 'Hello, Hello'.
Trevor

We still tend to call them "PMs" for "Private Message", which is what they always used to be known as - but since a few forum upgrades ago they are now known as "Conversations" (no, me neither....) and are accessed by clicking on the little square icon directly to the right of the small version of your avatar pic, at the top right of the forum window (just to the left of the "bell" icon).
They allow two (or more if desired) forum members to carry on a private discussion that is not visible to other members, which is of course useful for exchanging info like addresses, phone numbers etc that you REALLY don't want to post on the open forum.

PS: you can also start a "Conversation" by clicking on the avatar/member name of the person you wish to speak to, at the left of any post they have made, and then just clicking the "start conversation" button....

Jon.

 

[Anglian]

Hi Jon.
I sent the address on Conversations, but not sure if I sent it twice, one of which might have gone elsewhere.
Trevor

 

[Gizzy]

Hi Gizzy.
You are obviously a true gentleman. I will indeed accept your kind offer.
Please explain PM. Sorry but acronyms again. You only need to tell me once. Yes, I liked 'Hello, Hello'.
Trevor

Hullo Trev,

I got your PM so you've obviously worked out that PM is Private Message....