Newbie start up query

[Cathie]

Hi, just starting out with N guage and will probably have LOTS of queries!
To start with .... can any one give me really SIMPLE instructions for connecting the controller to the power clips?
Thanking you in anticipation 
Cathie

[Geoff]

Hello Cathie and welcome, there are a couple of way to connect the track to the controller but do you have a manufacturers name of your equipment, then we can get to grips and offer you good advice.

If it has all come as a train set then there is normally clips that join to the rails then a plug or screwed connections going into the controller, nothing can go wrong as there is only 2 low voltage wires to get your model going.

[Malc]

Hi Cathie and  as Geoff says, we would need more info about the manufacturer. Often the track end is pre-wired and you just need to connect the other end. It doesn't matter which way round the wires go. Some controllers have a speaker connector, where you push down on part of the socket and slip the bared end of the wire in. Others have screw connections.

[Newportnobby]

Hi Cathie, and welcome to the forum

Often the track end is premiered

You'll have to explain that one to me, Malc

[talisman56]

Hi Cathie, and welcome to the forum

Often the track end is premiered

You'll have to explain that one to me, Malc

Cathie.

Looks like Malc has been struck with mobile phone predictive text-isis - once he's had the jab, all will be revealed... 

[PostModN66]

My money is on "prewired"

Jon 

[Newportnobby]

My money is on "prewired"

Jon 

Plausible, Jon. Plausible

[Cathie]

Hmmm prewired sounds believable. I am using Peco Setrack for an 009 gauge branch line to my main 00 layout, and I have Peco power clips, which I bought with the track.
My controller is a fairly old Hornby one, which has wires with metal tips which fit into 00 power clips. The Peco clips seem to clip under the track, leaving a sort of brassy loop at the side. I have tried pushing the metal tips into the brassy loops, but they are a very very tight fit, and I don't want to force them unless I know that that is how the things are meant to be put together. Is that what I need to do?
Please don't ask me to get busy with a soldering iron. Not yet anyway. I am not one of the world's gifted solderers.
Thanks for the comments so far.....and the entertainment

[Newportnobby]

Hi Cathie,
The Peco power clips were never really designed for permanent layouts unless the wires are soldered to the loops. Best practice is to solder the wires to the tracks.
However I note that, like me, you tend to shy away from soldering so another course of action is to buy pre wired metal fishplates such as these...............

http://www.modellers-mecca.co.uk/electronic-components/9869-pcp3-pre-wired-fishplates-n-gauge-power-clip-code-80.html

The purists will try and have my guts for recommending them but I use them a lot.
The other ends of the wires are just attached to your controller by whatever means you think best

[Cathie]

Thanks Newportnobby that's a great help 
Cathie

[Bealman]

Thanks for the comments so far.....and the entertainment

G'day from Australia, Cathie, and welcome to the NGF! 

There are quite a few would be jokers on here... best not to encourage 'em 

[talisman56]

Thanks for the comments so far.....and the entertainment

G'day from Australia, Cathie, and welcome to the NGF! 

There are quite a few would be jokers on here... best not to encourage 'em 

Have you looked in a mirror lately?  No encouragement needed...

[Bealman]

I try not to do that...  makes it hard to get to sleep at night 

Hope you get your track connected, Cathie, and once again, welcome to the forum! 

[Luke Piewalker]

the peco ones are normally one each side, poke the wire through and then squash it with pliers.