I am intending on using DC power on my small modular layout. I intend on using Peco electrofrogs. My desire is to just flip the points for turnout control when using the electrofrogs. How do I power the frog? I thought I could use a Tam Valley frog juicer, but their web site states that the frog juicer can only be used with DCC. What are my options to power the frog of the Peco electrofrog?
Here is one option:
http://www.cabooseind.com/GroundThrows
Dave
EDIT: (See Rich's post below) Rich is right. I was thinking of a DCC application.
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
The frog is already live on a Peco Electrofrog.
Rich
Alton Junction
Well, yes, it is already powered - by the points contacting the stock rails. Maybe that's reliable enough? I'd still hook the wire they already attached to the frog to either the contacts of a switch motor if this is a powered turnout or the contacts of the Caboose throws mentioned above, or the contacts on one of the other manual switch machines like Bluepoint or Bullfrog, or make your own with SPDT slide switches.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker Well, yes, it is already powered - by the points contacting the stock rails. Maybe that's reliable enough? I'd still hook the wire they already attached to the frog to either the contacts of a switch motor if this is a powered turnout or the contacts of the Caboose throws mentioned above, or the contacts on one of the other manual switch machines like Bluepoint or Bullfrog, or make your own with SPDT slide switches. --Randy
And so you have discovered exactly why the recommendations on the Wiring for DCC site. They apply to DC operation too.
Actually, if you leave in place the point to frog jumpers (which you would remove for DCC, to prevent a short between the open point rail and the stock rail, which in DC would hardly be noticeable), then you are providing a reliable point power source by powering the frog. The standard point connection is reliable enough - until dirt, glue or paint gets on the point rails. So as long as you leave the contact area untouched, it may be fine with just an occasional cleaning. I prefer truly reliable connections so there's one less thing to worry about as the layout ages. And one of these days I will have a layout in place long enough for it to matter. 5 years was not enough time for any noticable issues to develop, and that's with painting the rail all around the turnout, even the point rails.
Yes, we did without for many many years. But I think it's more like the argument the old 3 railers used to use - after a while, you don't notice the third rail. Well, with stock off the shelf turnouts, eventually you stop noticing the table thumping you do every time you try to slowly bring a train into the yard.