Sorry, chaps, but I hated physics at school, failed O level twice, then got a geophysics degree in later life, and wondered why I'd found physics so hard as a kid. I ended up teaching it for most of my career!

I love the electrical side of the hobby, as hopefully comes across in my layout thread. The problem is that old age has made working under the baseboard difficult.

Quote from: Newportnobby on December 08, 2022, 02:03:26 PM
I hate electrickery. I don't understand it. It bores the backside off me. It scares me. If there was one thing I could wave a magic wand at and have it done it would be the electrics as I enjoy everything else, even ballasting, which some hate.

I quite like the electrics side of things:







I have other pictures of spaghetti somewhere but it will take too much searching for those and it's late.

Quote from: Newportnobby on December 08, 2022, 02:03:26 PM
As per usual with me, I got 'Kimbolted' to the stage where track was laid and by 'jury rigging' some wires I got trains to run. I was happy. I took short vids of my trains.
When I had a new roof on my mancave I had to dismantle everything to allow the workmen access. I swore I would rebuild with 'proper' electrics, isolating sections, polarity changing on points to avoid the poor contact syndrome etc..
I hate electrickery. I don't understand it. It bores the backside off me. It scares me. If there was one thing I could wave a magic wand at and have it done it would be the electrics as I enjoy everything else, even ballasting, which some hate.
Consequently very little has been done in 18 months. It's fair to say the loss of my moggie soul mate and the passing of my Mother has also had an effect but I will get back to it next Spring - honest!

Same here with regard electrics...can't see it so can't fathom/ deal with it. I can build carriages from etches, buildings from scratch, landscaping no problem, but electrics is my weakest area in railway modelling. I have a well illustrated bookazine on the subject, but I seem to draw a mental blank.

My good friend port peran is the same. Next week we are meeting up for a couple of Christmas drinks and N gauge chat, but I'm sure electrics won't even get a mention!

I feel rather embarrassed that I just don't get electrics after having an electrician father and spending most of my working life working in the electricity supply industry. I felt really stressed by the wiring of Brickmakers Lane and while this did abate a bit after starting one of the two boards, it was never going to be a quick, or easy, job for me to get it all finished. Thankfully Steve Wright of James Street fame has taken on the task for me, while I've used my newly found Cricut skills to make him kits for all the new buildings on the enlarged quay on JS. This now means I'm itching to get my layout back to start doing all those boring things like track painting, ballasting, laying 3rd rail (not sure if I'm really looking forward to that one!) and scenic work.

Sometimes you just need to find another way round something that's blocking you.......

Dave

Whilst I'm no expert in or enthusiast for things electrical and electronic, wiring a layout causes me little distress. I wonder if the problem some people have is trying to understand too much. After all, everyone who looks at or posts on this forum must have the ability to use a computer, tablet or smartphone. I suspect that very few of us really understand what's going on inside in any detail, but we know how to get them to do what we want (most of the time, anyway). Similarly, I use a DCC system to control trains. I know how to connect to the layout (the manual that came with the system told me) and how to use the controls (manual again) but I understand even less of how it works than I do the computer I'm typing this on.
Most of the wiring we actually have to install ourselves comprises quite simple circuits, it's just that there are a lot of them and all in the same space. For instance my track power and point operating systems only meet electrically at the mains, so when working on one I can ignore the other.
As we build model railways for our enjoyment (don't we?) it follows that it should be enjoyable. All of it. I suggest that those who find electrics difficult avoid trying to understand things they don't need to and see the wiring as a collection of individual circuits rather than a monster tangle of wire. Working neatly should help with this.
I would strongly advise against getting involved with mains electricity, but it is not hard to find a cased power supply with a mains plug fitted. Once you have that, you are only dealing with low voltages and low currents so you shouldn't come to harm.

I hope this encourages the electrophobics among us to have a go.

All the best,

Ali

Quote from: Trainfish on December 09, 2022, 02:11:28 AM

Quote from: Newportnobby on December 08, 2022, 02:03:26 PM
I hate electrickery. I don't understand it. It bores the backside off me. It scares me. If there was one thing I could wave a magic wand at and have it done it would be the electrics as I enjoy everything else, even ballasting, which some hate.

I quite like the electrics side of things:







I have other pictures of spaghetti somewhere but it will take too much searching for those and it's late.

My electronics workshop practices instructor would be rolling in his grave without proper looming and lacing.. sadly he died earlier this year.

I don't enjoy the electrics, because it has been my job for the last 47 years, that may change when I retire in 3.5 working days.

Personally I like scenic work , but the N guage layout, is almost finished from that point of view. I'm about to start working my way back down the layout adding buildings and electrics.
I have a EM guage layout on which work will recommence next year, and I'm experimenting building OO9 track for a planned mini exhibition layout.

I find it necessary to have more than one project running so if I loose mojo on one I move over to another..

Enjoy the retirement. 

Quote from: The Q on December 09, 2022, 01:17:25 PM
My electronics workshop practices instructor would be rolling in his grave without proper looming and lacing.. sadly he died earlier this year.

Fear not, it's a lot tidier now, I just can't find any pictures. I suppose being a qualified electrician for almost 40 years and having worked a lot on control systems in several countries and different industries does help to understand how it all works. I was never into electronics though, most of my work involved relay logic which I enjoy.

Quote
I find it necessary to have more than one project running so if I loose mojo on one I move over to another.

I absolutely agree with this. I only have the 1 layout but it's big enough that if I lose my mojo on scenery then I can move onto rolling stock. Then electrics, then a different section of scenery. If all else fails I can sit back, listen to Pink Floyd and watch 6 trains run around continuously while I have a beer instead 

Peaks and troughs happen to us all, I think. Sometimes a fresh start is needed, sometimes it's just a break.

Our garage was considerably colder this year than previously so the decision was made; empty the box room of the day bed and furniture that we will never use again since my dear departed MiL left us, build new cabinets to support the layout in a condensed size, then take all the track up, box up the buildings and trees, cut bits off, and get it ready to move upstairs. This took two weekends.
I will be doing away with my freight yard which simplifies the electrics massively, I just need to power one big meandering loop with a few drops on a bus wire and a couple of drops from a small MPD area now, so my dual controller is all I need.
A big clear out of stuff I don't need will follow but I reckon by the Spring we'll be back up and running. The new trackplan also makes running German stuff in an English countryside setting easier. All will be revealed one day....