Something else I have learned about Peco code 100 Insulfrog turnouts is that for the most reliable operation, solder a short jumper wire between the stock rail and inner rail just beyond the pivot point and to not rely on the small metal tab that is supposed to feed current to the frog area. This bypasses their "power routing" feature but causes no electrical problems if both rails that diverge from the frog are insulated.
The newer code 83 Streamline turnouts are made differently and don't need any special insulating.
thanks guys. with a bit of isolating (right side only was needed) and cleaning up contacts all is going well now.
I agree with Chuck. I have one of those as a yard throat on one side of my yard. I learned quickly to leave a small insulating gap between the tracks immediatly after each of the three out-routes and the turnout itself. Each of those tracks gets its own feeder.
Note that, gap or not, if you don't have the route lined (and you will err many times), you will get a short, regardless of which of the three routes you take to enter the turnout. The gaps just free you from buzzes and shorts when you use the turnout points in any configuration and the layout is powered up. IOW, you can leave the points in any configuration upon power up, but it won't cause a short until you attempt to cross the gaps with an electrical-bearing axle and the points are not yet lined for the engine or lighted passenger car attempting to enter the turnout.
-Crandell
thanks. that is what i was suspecting to be the simplest solution (while hoping to be able to keep power feeds automatic)
My solution with any Peco turnout is to insulate every rail that diverges from a frog, and then add power feeders to track beyond the frog.
I have never had any problem with Peco turnouts by doing this, and between my home HO scale layout and HO club layout, I have installed over 50 Pecos, both insulfrog and electrofrog.
http://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/index.php?s=7d75bd957f57233bf1df2486a8760347&showtopic=7656
scroll down a bit, there are a few other links to words burried in there too, but you may need to register ( it is free ) for the links and images to work and show up??
hi guys. having a problem with above points shorting out when turned to right track and was wondering if anyone here had a copy of the wiring diagram in case i have wired incorrectly. thanks