Opinions needed. I'm running 2 12 volt deep cycle marine batteries for track power. More amps than my cars will ever need. In fact, maybe a little over kill. I'll run a rheostat inline to dial the voltage down to whatever I need. I previously ran the track with a power lead to each lane terminal, having a terminal track for each lane. I'm thinking that may be unnecessary, and am thinking about using a single terminal track for the inside lanes and outside lanes. I think the track would look better with only 2 terminal tracks. I don't think power would be an issue, as many amps as I have.

Any thoughts?

Rich

Rich, When I've built my tracks, I cut off the extra connecting part of the terminal tracks and then drilled a small hole in the remaining metal tabs onder the track. After running the wires through the corresponding holes I also soldered them. This eliminates the unsightly power connections on the terminal tracks and also allows for an uninterrupted track shoulder with the wiring concealed below. Even with track joints that are soldered for good contact, I have several power taps through the course using the terminal tracks. A bit of overkill but I've yet to have any power problems to fix on the tracks that I've built this way, one of which was over 20 years ago. Track power has never been an issue from box stock on up to unlimited cars.
...Nothing worse that laying under the track trying to fix something with a room full of racers chomping at the bit.:freak:

Agreed Johnny,
Track power is one problem I haven't had. The Tomy system is pretty good all the way around. Do you run power lead to each lane, or find that running the simple single terminal per two lanes is fine?

Rich

Rick use jumper wires soldered to the bottom of the track. I have no terminal tracks on my layout, all track connections are soldered to the bottom of the track and out of sight. I use to use batteries too a 6 volt golf cart battery and a 12 volt marine battery in series to make 18 volts. GREAT POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Need to replace mine they are 10 years old an no good anymore.

Rich, you don't want to find yourself in this situation.

Scotty! We. Need. More. Power! The. Romulans. Are. Preparing. To. Open. Fire!

Aye Captain, I'm givin' ye all I've got! If I give ye any more she's gonna blow!

Bones! I. Need. More. Botox!

Confound it Jim! I'm only a doctor.

Captain, perhaps we could reprogram the transporter to realign your endopalsmic reticulum to make you the thinner captain from episodes one through 12.

Aye, Mr Spock and where do ye think I can find the mountain of dilithium crystals I'd need to power that one?

Hath anyone seen wating Bruth Lanvedew? We wewe thuposed to meet in the holodeck to watch a 20th centuwy gwoup called WHAM!

Not. Now. Mr. Sulu!

Well, I'm gonna keep two terminal tracks on the circuit because its easier to reverse directions by flippin the plug over.