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PECO N turnouts poor conductivity at the points.

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  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 137 posts
PECO N turnouts poor conductivity at the points.
Posted by Dave K on Thursday, December 8, 2022 8:27 AM
Now that I have converted all of my Atlas turnouts to PECO, to supposedly solve my "picking the points" derailment issues, now I am encountered poor electrical contact issues with the PECO turnouts.  Although the closing spring force is better with the PWECO turnouts, several are troublesome.  I have seen PECO turnout improvements identified on line and will give them a try.  Anybody experiencing the same?

DMK

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Fullerton, California
  • 1,364 posts
Posted by hornblower on Thursday, December 8, 2022 4:36 PM

Peco turnouts rely on physical contact between the point and stock rails to power the point rails.  You might polish the contact surfaces to improve electrical contact.  Also note that you need to mask off these contact points when painting/weathering your track.  If not, you will insulate these contact points.  If you have painted/weathered the Peco turnouts without masking, go back and clean the paint/weathering off of the contact surfaces.

Hornblower

  • Member since
    January 2021
  • 137 posts
Posted by Dave K on Monday, December 12, 2022 12:13 PM

Could you point out where to locate feeders and rail gaps when using PECO N insulfrog or electrofrog turnouts?

 

DMK

  • Member since
    October 2007
  • From: Fullerton, California
  • 1,364 posts
Posted by hornblower on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 5:07 PM

I've only wired insulfrog turnouts.  In this case, just attach feeders to the stock rails.  The turnout takes care of the rest.  

Hornblower

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 297 posts
Posted by markie97 on Wednesday, December 14, 2022 8:18 AM

I use all Peco insulfrog turnouts on my HO scale layout. Beside masking the point rail to stock rail contact when painting I also mask the pivot point of the point rail. In addition I have power feeders on the two rails exiting the frog. This way I am feeding the point rails from this direction as well and not just relying on contact with the stock rails. Cannot do this with electro frog turnouts. Not sure about n scale insulfrog.

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