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Peco Turnouts, Cut Off Excess Wire, Or Not?

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,557 posts
Peco Turnouts, Cut Off Excess Wire, Or Not?
Posted by cowman on Monday, February 26, 2024 7:47 PM

 I may use some Peco turnouts on my "Layout in Planning."  There are long, uncoated wires coming out of the bottom.  If I plan to use Caboose gound throws, should I cut those off close to the bottom, leave a short tail for the next owner to solder to or can I just coil them up and put them under the turnout, not touching each other?

There's an invisible hump between me and getting started on the benchwork.  I'm hoping that if I get some other aspects of the layout (like a track plan) visible to me, it will push me over the hump.

Thanks for the thoughts.

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,038 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, February 26, 2024 7:51 PM

I do cut off the bare wire on my Peco turnouts (Unifrog double slips), but I do leave about a 2 inch tail for resale purposes.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,557 posts
Posted by cowman on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 6:09 PM

Thank you.

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 7:08 PM

cowman
There's an invisible hump between me and getting started on the benchwork.

I did a bunch of benchwork and then hit the hump, I'm blaming my bad shoulder and worse shoulder replacement.  I am back on track after 2 years.  Pun intended.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,864 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, February 29, 2024 3:37 PM

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,038 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, February 29, 2024 4:10 PM

riogrande5761

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

 

I think the wire is only on the Unifrog. As long as a couple of inches are retained, the rest can be cut off.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Central Vermont
  • 4,557 posts
Posted by cowman on Thursday, February 29, 2024 7:29 PM

Thanks for the additional information on the wires.

Sold my little layout before COVID and wasted all that time.  My bad!

Have fun,

Richard

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,864 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Friday, March 1, 2024 7:25 AM

richhotrain
 
riogrande5761

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

 

 

I think the wire is only on the Unifrog. As long as a couple of inches are retained, the rest can be cut off.

 

Rich

 
I have quite a few Electrofrog turnouts from Peco in code 83 and they all have the wire to electrify the frog rails.  I plan to wire them with frog juicers.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,038 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, March 1, 2024 9:33 AM

riogrande5761

 

 
richhotrain
 
riogrande5761

If it's what I'm thinking, the Electrofrog and Unifrog turnouts have a wire so you can energize the frog.  If you cut it off, keep that in mind.

 

 

I think the wire is only on the Unifrog. As long as a couple of inches are retained, the rest can be cut off.

 

Rich

 

 

 
I have quite a few Electrofrog turnouts from Peco in code 83 and they all have the wire to electrify the frog rails.  I plan to wire them with frog juicers.
 

ahh, thanks, Jim. Good to know.

Rich

Alton Junction

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