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Wiring Caboose Industries Groundthrows for DCC

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, March 28, 2019 11:26 AM

 And whoever told you that is causing unecessary confusion. Wiring the Caboose throws that have contacts to power the switch frog is EXACTLY the same for DC or DCC. The wire to the frog goes to the same conact on the Caboose throw in all cases. The Feeds from the left and right rails goes to the same contacts on the Caboose throws regardless if the track is powered from DC or DCC. The overall concept is no different - the contacts are used to connect the frog to one reail or the other, depending on which way the points are thrown using the Caboose lever. DC, DCC, HyperMagicPower, it doesn't matter, it doesn't change the wiring.

 ANd the contacts are a simple electrical switch, there is no "current draw" unless one of the loco wheels or the wheels of a lighted car are actually on the frog in question. Really, I wonder where people get such strange ideas.

                                          --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
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 11:31 AM

I wouldn't take anymore DCC advice from whomever told you that.

The wires shown from the bus to the frog rails may or may not be needed, depending on the brand of turnout.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
  • 252 posts
Posted by CNR378 on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 10:54 AM

The linked diagram show how to use Caboose Industries 220S groundthrows to power live frogs.

Use your DCC bus DO NOT use a separate DC bus as you would then be mixing DCC and DC.

Peter

  • Member since
    August 2006
  • 1,519 posts
Posted by trainnut1250 on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 10:53 AM

No, that is not correct in this case. You want to use power from the DCC track supply becasue you are routing track power through the ground throw. It is a DCC signal. Regardless, the ground throw does not draw any current so it is not a drain on the DCC supply.

 

Guy

see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 2,360 posts
Wiring Caboose Industries Groundthrows for DCC
Posted by kasskaboose on Wednesday, March 27, 2019 10:32 AM

Is the below link the correct image for wiring Cabosse Industries' groundthrows for DCC? 

http://help.fast-tracks.net/customer/en/portal/articles/2430158-how-to-wire-a-standard-turnout-with-a-ground-throw-and-how-they-work-

To avoid them draining power from the buss lines, I was told that I can add a separate set of buss lines.  They would then connect to an Athearn DC power ppack.  If this arrangment is valid, what terminals on the powerpack to connect the wires from the groundthrow?

 

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