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When is a Frog Juicer *Needed*

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  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 25 posts
Posted by Bay Area Brad on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 5:45 PM

Thanks, Rich and company! It sounds optional unless you are having "continuous power across the frog" issues. I'll keep it in mind and see how things go as I get the track wired and running...maybe this weekend.

 

Brad

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 3:10 PM

Bay Area Brad

Greeting all -

I am doing my 'due diligence' on DCC and such, and watching the MRVP DCC videos I see the Frog Juicer introduced.......my question is: in what circumstances do these need to be added to a DCC layout / switch area? And I emphasize *need* versus something that is just nice to have.

Brad, if you have short wheelbase locos that stall at slow speeds on the frog of a turnout, the stall can be eliminated by powering the frog...if it is metal.

That is the purpose of a Frog Juicer...........to power a metal frog.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, April 10, 2017 8:01 PM

 When is it NEEDED? See the CNJ Bronx Terminal layout by Tim Warris of Fast Tracks. When the junctions are that complicated, you need a frog juicer.

 Otherwise you can just use switch machine contacts to power the frog. If you want powered frogs but all manual throws, that's the other case where you'd need a Frog Juicer.

                                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2014
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Posted by ROBERT PETRICK on Monday, April 10, 2017 5:17 PM

Bay Area Brad

I know enough to know this isn't a new health drink craze (Monday humor) . . .

Hey Brad

Then you probably know bullfrog snot isn't what it sounds like, either. 

Robert 

LINK to SNSR Blog


  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, April 10, 2017 4:54 PM

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Monday, April 10, 2017 4:42 PM

A Frog Juicer is a way to power frogs without needing a mechanical "switch".

They are not "required".

If you do not want your frogs powered then its not needed.  If you do want your frogs powered and use some other means to route power to the frogs, then they aren't needed.

If you have a large layout it can be a rather expensive way to power frogs.  The advantage is simplicity, just a few wires to connect.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    March 2017
  • 25 posts
When is a Frog Juicer *Needed*
Posted by Bay Area Brad on Monday, April 10, 2017 4:38 PM

Greeting all -

I am doing my 'due diligence' on DCC and such, and watching the MRVP DCC videos I see the Frog Juicer introduced. I know enough to know this isn't a new health drink craze (Monday humor), but my question is: in what circumstances do these need to be added to a DCC layout / switch area? And I emphasize *need* versus something that is just nice to have.

Thanks in advance for your input and tutelage! :-)

Brad

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