My layout is being designed as sections that will be supported on shelf brackets, with each section an independent LDE. As it will primarily be a switching layout, slow speed performance through switches is critical, especially on the frogs. I plan to have powered frogs on all switches.
Right now, I cannot figure out what I am going to use for switch control because I don't know how I can power the frogs.
The easiest (though not the cheapest) method would be to use Tortiose switch machines, which have separate contacts for the frogs. However, aside from the cost a big concern is that I will need to build the benchwork tall enough to allow them to not stick out below the bottom of the benchwork. The "blue" manual controls don't appeal to me.
I really would like to use Caboose Industries ("CI") ground throws, mounted on the edge of the benchwork and conneted to the turnout via a linkage concealed in a brass tube between the switch and the ground throw (I have thought this was a neat method ever since I saw MR's Soo Line "Red Wing" project layout in the 12/1994 issue). However, the ground throws won't power the frog.
I have heard that the CI ground throws with electrical contacts aren't reliable. Another option was to have each switch controlled twice, with one ground throw to move the points and one toggle switch to change the polarity- but this seemed excessive. For another layout I used slide switches that not only powered the frog but also had a hole drilled into the handle to contact it to the points, but I wasn't happy with them.
Help! What do you guys who use ground throws do? Is there any DCC product out there that can power frogs automatically without having to get a separate decoder for each turnout (which would be similar to the ground throw/toggle approach)?
Thanks.
Modeling the D&H in 1984: http://dandhcoloniemain.blogspot.com/
I use Tam Valley Frog Juicers. I admit it is not the most cost effective. But it is extremely easy to implement and is very reliable. I highly recommend this product.
http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/support/frogjuicers.html
[edit] Found this link, too.
http://mrr.trains.com/news-reviews/staff-reviews/2009/12/tam-valley-depot-digital-command-control-dcc-hex-frog-juicer
Dwayne A
I have several Caboose Industries #220 ground throws and have found them to be reliable. Assembling the electrical contacts is a little bit fiddly but once you get the hang of it they go together quickly. If they are assembled incorrectly I can see where you might have some problems.
Joe
I'm with Joe, Benjamin. I have been using the CI 220S ground throws and they have been very reliable for me - both mechanically and electrically. You just have to make sure you install them correctly.
If you are looking for a mechanical and electrical ground throw device, I've heard good things about Blue Point switch machines. They also come with separate contacts for the frogs. In fact, David Popp used them on the current MR Rice Harbor project layout, which can be viewed on the Part 3 video.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Benjamin,
Here's a possible solution, the manual turnout controls based on the standard 3-way household wiring switch. It was written up in the Nov 2013 issue of MR. I have a thread on my experiences with them here: http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/224956.aspx?page=1
Cheap, reliable, and readily available. The first one will go slow like anything, but they're really quick to make once you have a couple under the belt.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
It sounds like the "Frog Juicer" (gross!) is exactly what I am looking for. I guess it came out a couple of years ago but I just assumed it was a DCC product that worked in conjunction with switch motors and DCC-controlled switch machines.
Thanks to everyone who helped!
Frog Juicers (there's a little section on the Tam Valley site about the name and the frog, he doesn't mean putting frogs in the juicing machine) are the easiest way to go about this, for sure. DCC input to the Juicer (2 wires) and 1 wire to each frog to one of the Juciwer outputs. Doesn't get any easier than this.
Cost-wise, you can get small lever switches (often referrered to as "snap switches", not to be condifused with the Atlas track products) which you can mount to be activated by the throwbar or linkage. Per turnout, they will be cheaper than the Frog Juicers, but will require more effort to install and get adjusted. They will be much more robust than the contacts on the Caboose throws, in fact it's omewhat common to glue a couple to a Tortoise when more contacts are needed
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
First, you might not need to power the frogs. Try the actual motive power you have on the actual turnouts you have. For those frogs you must power, I use Frog Juicers. For manual turnout control I use some Caboose ground throws and some Humpyard Purveyance manual levers (for the more inaccessible turnouts).
Dante
Have you seen these? http://www.humpyard.com/
They work great and look like miniature interlocking machines.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I use slide switches in some applications for throwing my turnouts.
http://www.allelectronics.com/make-a-store/item/SSW-37/DPDT-SLIDE-SWITCH/1.html
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.