Atlas remote switches . to insulate frogs or not

[dstark]

I have not gone to DCC as yet, but I have several engines that are DCC ready and sound equiped and will run on DC. I think they are Atlas Trainmasters engines. I use Atlas code 100 track with their switches. The trainmaster engines will stall when crossing some of these switches and then start up again on their own. I assume that something is momentarily shorting and then the engine coasts by the short again it clears and we are ok.

My questions is on some of my atlas switches there are very thin wires on the topside connecting the frogs together. Some of the switches do not ... these cause no problems just the ones with the wires. I assume this is the insulated vs non insulated issue. But which is which .. should I just snip the wires to solve the problem ... ideas and thoughts

 

thanks

[Autobus Prime]

I have not gone to DCC as yet, but I have several engines that are DCC ready and sound equiped and will run on DC. I think they are Atlas Trainmasters engines. I use Atlas code 100 track with their switches. The trainmaster engines will stall when crossing some of these switches and then start up again on their own. I assume that something is momentarily shorting and then the engine coasts by the short again it clears and we are ok.

ds:

I think you are losing contact.  Hook a light bulb up across the track feeders. If the bulb goes off when the locos stall, they're shorting.  If it flashes brighter, they're losing contact.

Are these custom-line or snap-switches?  The frog may be raised above the railhead, lifting nearby truck wheels and breaking contact. 

[loathar]

Are your frogs metal or plastic? If they're plastic, your out of luck and will have dead spots.
If they are metal. you can wire your frogs through  a switch machine and power route them.
Check as mentioned with the light bulb for a short, but I doubt that's the problem.
I don't know what little wires your talking about. Can you take a picture of these and post it?

Here's abunch of info on wiring your turnouts for reliable DCC operations.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm