Silly question time. I'm using Peco electrofrog turnouts and Cobalt turnout motors. Where does the wire from the frog go into the Cobalt unit?
That would be one of the two labeled "C" for common. Either 4th from the left of 4th from the right. If you use the 4th from the left, the track bus wires go to second and third from the left, if you use the 4th fromt he right for the frog, the track bus goes to the second and third from the right.
Test for power between the frog and whichever side the points are thrown to - if there is power, reverse the wires on the secodn and third terminals.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks Randy but I have an even sillier question. I was running the turnout motor on its' own power supply (ex-phone 9v DC unit). I didn't know I could run them from the track bus. Which is better? Sounds like there would be less wires if I ran them off the track bus. True?
That's a, "Yes, you can - but why would you want to?" Running switch machines off the main bus power adds a parasitic load to the track power supply, reducing the power available for locomotive motors, lights and sounds. My personal preference is to provide separate power to anything fixed, and save main power for the things on the rails.
Just my . Other opinions will differ.
Chhuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
No, don't run them from the track bus, DCC power is 'expensive' plus the Cobalt needs DC for the motor, not square wave AC. They won't work on track power.
The motor connections to drive the switch machine are the outermost connections, not any of the ones I mentioned for wiring the frog. The track power connections there are only to the contacts that get closed with the common connection that goes to the frog,t hey do not in any way connect tot he Cobalt's motor.
So I had the same question! I couldn't get my cobalt machine to provide power to the frog. I read a few articles and looked at the schematics. Yeah it all works on paper but couldn't figure it out until Randy here described it with words! I didn't run any wire from the track to the switch! I feel pretty stupid but my frog has power now!!! Thanks for your help Randy!!!