jake9 wrote: If one is running only DCC in your trackplan, is there a preferred type of frog to use, insulated vs. electrified? Or does it matter at all? Even if one is incorporating a Wye or reversing route?Thanks for all the help.
If one is running only DCC in your trackplan, is there a preferred type of frog to use, insulated vs. electrified? Or does it matter at all? Even if one is incorporating a Wye or reversing route?
Thanks for all the help.
if you are using DCC there is no need to be frightened of live frog points as the track after them should/could have its own feed and not rely on the frog for power. the frogs need to switched, and isolated from the rails after them. it is also a good idea to modify points so the blades are insulated from the frog and they get their power from the running rail they close to. if you are really paranoid about it you could if you like isolate the WHOLE point with 6 insulating fishplates and power it as a single entity.
It's much more easy to install electrofrogs at the beginning than to change dead frogs later when you buy a little small critter.
Wolfgang
Pueblo & Salt Lake RR
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I use both on mine. You must be talking about Pecos. Insulfrogs are a lot easyier to use. The electrofrogs can give you a wireing nightmare if your not carefull. If you put a wye in you are still going to have to insulate no matter what frogs you use.
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!
If you are running short loco's with limited track pick up, go with electrified frogs. Otherwise it doesn't make much difference. The big thing is small loco's may stall out on insulated frogs because there is no power available to a wheel.
Some turnouts with electrified frogs may require an insulated rail joiner or gap on each rail going into the frog.
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.