Got an answer directly from Peco. The Code 100 Electrofrog medium and large radius turnouts now have the DCC-friendly design with gaps moved away from the frogs. There is nothing on the box to indicate the upgrade, so if ordering, specify that the ones you want have frog wires attached.
Hal
No, not speaking of Insulfrogs here. Actually, the stock rails are in contact at the frog on an Electrofrog. And it is hooked to the closure rails thru two removable jumpers under the turnout. The location of the gaps and jumpers makes the difference between old and DCC-friendly design. For DCC-friendly, those gaps must be moved away from the frog. Then for complete electrical reliability, the jumpers are cut, the frog is externally switched, and new jumpers are installed between stock and closure rails. No shorts. Keep the tops of the rails clean, and no hesitating engines resetting their sound decoders. Ever.
However, my club has an older large layout which is Code 100, and we want to install more stuff. So it's either upgraded 100's or use 83's. We could puchase the old type100's and move the gaps, but I'm not willing to take a saw to a $20 turnout!
I don't think I understand what you're asking. I thought that the electrofrog turnout had insulation at only one location, and that was at the point where the two frog rails came together. I didn't think that there were any insulated gaps anywhere else. Or are you really asking about an insulfrog turnout?
Edit: and see my response to your same post in the general discussion forum for some links to pictures in the Walthers on-line catalog.
If you have purchased or have any of these close by, could you answer a question for me?
The legacy Code 100 Electros were not DCC friendly; the gaps from frog to closure rails were right at the frog. This led people to conclude that Electrofrogs were not good for DCC because of possible metal wheel shorts. However, when the Code 75 and later 83 were introduced, Peco had changed the position of these gaps to a spot about half-way between the frog and the point rail rivets. When the frog is separately powered, the gap jumpers cut, and jumpers added from stock to closure rails, the Electro 75's and 83's offer the best possible protection from metal wheel shorts, along with good continuity of power thru the frog.
I heard from some sources that Peco has finally upgraded the Code 100 turnouts, but dealers don't seem to have the new ones. I say "seem" because I have difficulty in getting across what it is I am asking. The Peco-UK site has old pictures, so is not helpful.
If you have any recent Code 100 Electrofrogs, could you look to see if they have insulated gaps at a spot about midway between frog and rivets? The old type have gaps that were part of the frog support, with the jumpers directly underneath, and nothing visible from the top.
Thanks.