I am thinking of converting my layout to DCC and have used only Peco electrfrogs in it. I am going to expand it and for that I will use insulfrogs but am I in trouble in the existing layout?
I am absolutely no electronics person so the simpler the better for any solution.
Thanks,
Rich W
Rich,
you'll be fine...I use only electrofrog and just completed installing DCC on my new layout. Just like on the DC version, make sure to feed power from the point end of the turnout only and insulate the frog rails.
Be sure and check out www.wiringfordcc.com for more in-depth info (although I admit to not powering the frogs seperately as directed)
I have a fairly large layout that has been done with Insulfrog, electrog frog and Shinohara switches, and gets along fine with my NCE DCC. I have favored insulfrog on the mains, but use electrofrogs on stub yard tracks and industrial tracks.
The Shinohara have taken more maintenance than the Peco. Oh, and I have some handlaid scratch built switches that I made back in the 1980 period when I was working on my MMR with the NMRA. They are still in op and actually hold up better than the commercial. However, at my age, I have no desire to scratchbuild any more.
Bob
As long as your train operators are smart enough not to enter the frog end of a turnout with its points set for the other route, live frogs ("Electrofrog" is a Peco term) are no problem.
An inattentive operator might cause a breaker to pop, or to illuminate the overload light for that feeder or district. Annoying, but probably not earth-shattering.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with 100% live frogs)
Thanks to all for the info. I appreciate it.
Rich