My layout is a 4 by 8 table with a large oval, two spurs crossing over to make figure 8 and a yard. I adopeted the plan from Atlas plan 11. I am using Peco insulfrogs rather than Atlas turnouts and the Digitrax reverser. So I have 4 turnouts on the ovals leading two or from the spurs, a turnout leading to the yard and 3 turnouts in the yard. According tgo the Atlas plan all I would need is one wire wiring connection on the main and one each on the insulated spur---assuming I was using Atlas turnouts,
My problem is that power between the turnouts is on or off depending on how the turnouts are set. Do I need to add power between each turnout, and should each of the sections be insulated?
Thank you for your advice.
Hank.
Peco turnouts are the power routing type so that they feed current beyond the frog to the track they are switched towards so that there isn't any power to the "off" side unless you add feeders to these tracks.Unless these tracks are part of a loop,polarity is the same as at the frog's entry point.However,if the turnouts is part of a return loop,you'll need a polarity reversing switch so that switching the turnout doesn't create a short.
Jacktal Peco turnouts are the power routing type so that they feed current beyond the frog to the track they are switched towards so that there isn't any power to the "off" side unless you add feeders to these tracks.
Peco turnouts are the power routing type so that they feed current beyond the frog to the track they are switched towards so that there isn't any power to the "off" side unless you add feeders to these tracks.
I'm not sure that this is correct. I believe that PECO electrofrog turnouts are power routing, but the OP said he was using insulfrogs. I think those have power beyond the frog all the time, but I could be wrong.
maxman Jacktal: Peco turnouts are the power routing type so that they feed current beyond the frog to the track they are switched towards so that there isn't any power to the "off" side unless you add feeders to these tracks. I'm not sure that this is correct. I believe that PECO electrofrog turnouts are power routing, but the OP said he was using insulfrogs. I think those have power beyond the frog all the time, but I could be wrong.
Jacktal: Peco turnouts are the power routing type so that they feed current beyond the frog to the track they are switched towards so that there isn't any power to the "off" side unless you add feeders to these tracks.
Nope, I have both insulfrogs and electrofrogs. They do not have power to "off" side. You need to run feeders at both diverging and straight routes.
Michael
CEO- Mile-HI-RailroadPrototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989
Motley Nope, I have both insulfrogs and electrofrogs. They do not have power to "off" side. You need to run feeders at both diverging and straight routes.
Okay, you are correct. I was checking one of my curved insulfrog turnouts and I do have power beyond the frog no matter which way the points are thrown. But I see that I had soldered a small jumper wire between each stock rail and the corresponding closure rail. I had forgotten that I had done this.
I will power each section. Thanks for the help.
Hank
Hi Hank,
You're on an 8x4 board which gives you some real tight radii, I'm gessing you are using medium or small points right, I've been using Peco for years( nothing else when I started)and insul-froggs are renouned for the frog point wearing away. I'd go for elctrofrog points mate, and put insul-fishplates on all rails at frog end of points with feeders on spur ends or mid rail on loops.
Steer clear of small radius theys more trouble than they are worth. As for shorts on blades if your wheels are to NMRA gauge you wont get any.
Be in touch.
pick.