Frog juicer and Ask MR

[dehusman]

I don't know who the "self proclaimed experts" are that write the "Ask MR" column, but they sure aren't experts on Frog Juicers.

Frog Juicers ARE auto reversers.  You CAN use them on reverse loops.  I use one on my model railroad for automatically controling polarity on a reversing track.  I have tried 2 or 3 other brands and Frog Juicers have been the most reliable reversers I've used.

[gregc]

i agree that the MR staff can use some electronic technical expertise.    Some things aren't so black and white.  It would be helpful to be accurate and provide a more comprehensive explanation that explains any confusion.

i also wonder about the Ask Mr question re: LED lighting --  "drawing current your locomotives may need".   They recommend the NCE light decoder to disable the LED.   That decoder has an output of 30 ma.   But I bet the processor in the decoder draws more.    It doesn't make sense to add an electronic device to save power that draws more power than it saves.

[carl425]

Isn't it technically true that "A" Frog Juicer is not an auto reverser?  The way I understand it, you need a dual since the basic Frog Juicer only reverses polarity of one pole.

[gmpullman]

carl425

Isn't it technically true that "A" Frog Juicer is not an auto reverser?

Yes. You would need a "Dual Frog Juicer" to act as an auto reverser.

From the Frog's mouth...

http://www.tamvalleydepot.com/support/whichfrogjuicer.html

Hope that helps.  Ed

[gregc]

carl425

Isn't it technically true that "A" Frog Juicer is not an auto reverser?

is it true that a (more than one) frog juicer can't be used as an auto-reverser?

instead of starting the response with "self proclaimed experts", wouldn't it be better if the response provided a better explanation?

electronics is such a big part and expense in the hobby that it would be helpful if the magazines had more and accurate articles discussing such topics.

 

[rrinker]

 It's true, the single Frog Juicer cannot function as an autoreverse. A dual or better can - it takes 2 of the outputs to drive the reverse loop section. Current capacity is potentially an issue depending on which Juicer is used. And I'm not so sure Duncan intended them to be used as autoreversers, it's more a happy accident that it works. 

 So - they could write a whole page article explaining all the details and get dozens of letters saying they don't want to see that 'complex electronic gadgetry' in the magazine. Or they can opt for the simple answer which is always correct, which is to use a Frog Juicer for frogs and an autoreverser for reverse loops. Simple, wuick answer. Which happens to be correct. Yes, there IS more to it, but come on - this is the Q&A column, not the DCC and Electronics column. Yes, you CAN use some Frog Juicers as autoreversers, following certain caveats. But then, the person who submitted the question to MR could have just as easily gotten the whole story by visiting the Tam Valley Depot web site and reading the product information provided, or emailing Duncan - when I first started experimenting with his servo controls I found him very responsive to questions on how it all worked.

 I see nothing wrong here. Much ado about nothing. 

                                    --Randy

 

[gregc]

rrinker

they could write a whole page article explaining all the details

the don't need to.   

They could explain that frog juicers and auto-reversers use same approaches to detect a short and reverse polarity, and that two frog juicers could be used, but recommend using an auto-reverser.

and they didn't need to say "Ignore those self proclaimed experts".

 

[saronaterry]

gregc

electronics is such a big part and expense in the hobby that it would be helpful if the magazines had more and accurate articles discussing such topics

You could submit one.

Terry

[gregc]

i was just told an NCE Compatible Arduoino Cab article wouldn't be published for 24 months

[rrinker]

 I doubt they would be interested in my DIY turnout controller and 'sort of' CMRI control system, either. Probably too technical, and explaining it all would be a series, not just one article.

 I did have some interest in doing a clinic at a future meet - and this is a railroad specific meet where so far all teh clinics have been on accurate modelign of locomotives and rollign stock of the Reading. I took my prototype and was showing it off and some peopel said they would like to learn more. A very small percentage of total attendees, but that's something, I guess. I might be willing to give it a try - public speakign is definitely not one of my strong points. There are other places that may be more willing to buy and publish a more in depth technical article.

                                     --Randy

[NeO6874]

rrinker

I doubt they would be interested in my DIY turnout controller and 'sort of' CMRI control system, either. Probably too technical, and explaining it all would be a series, not just one article.

 

can't speak for MR, but I'm totally interested