I have purchased some Peco Unifrog Double Slip Switches for routing inside my downtown passenger station. Specifically, this the Peco HO SL-U8363 Code 83 Unifrog #6 Double Slip Switch.
The concept behind the Unifrog is that it is a cross between the Insulfrog and the Electrofrog. Out of the box, it behaves like an Insulfrog. However, it is wired "live" except for the frog tip and wing rails. The frog and wing rails can be powered to act like an Electrofrog by connecting the wires that Peco has intricately pre-welded to the double slip switch. Therein lies my question.
I have used Peco turnouts in the past but only the Insulfrog since I have no need to power the frog. So, I have never used the Electrofrog. Similarly, I have no need to power the frogs on the double slips. However, the thin pre-welded wires provided by Peco are about 3 to 4 inches long and hang loosely along the underside of the double slip switch. Although I don't need them, I hate to cut them off entirely. My thought is to trim the length of the pre-welded wire back to about 1 inch and leave it alone. Any thoughts?
I am hoping to hear from others who have purchased this specific switch, and how they have dealt with the pre-welded wires.
Rich
Alton Junction
I see no reason not to trim the wire back, I'm planning to do so with my Electrofrogs and attach standard insulated wire to run to my frog power source. You can't easily completely remove the wire, as it is spot welded to the rail, not soldered. But in the future should you actually need to provide power, there is ample space cleared between ties to solder a new wire to the underside instead anywhere alongside the rail on top.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker You can't easily completely remove the wire, as it is spot welded to the rail, not soldered. But in the future should you actually need to provide power, there is ample space cleared between ties to solder a new wire to the underside instead anywhere alongside the rail on top.
You can't easily completely remove the wire, as it is spot welded to the rail, not soldered. But in the future should you actually need to provide power, there is ample space cleared between ties to solder a new wire to the underside instead anywhere alongside the rail on top.
That, or if you clip it off close, solder a wire right to the underside of the rail where the notch it cut out of the ties.
rrinker That, or if you clip it off close, solder a wire right to the underside of the rail where the notch it cut out of the ties. --Randy