lippyI guess I don't understand how to wire the frog so you can switch polarity depending on witch way you traverse through the turnout, without installing a separate switch.
JoeinPA Lippy: Try reading this from Alan Gartner's site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm. The diagrams and text in his presentation explain how to wire any number of turnout types. Joe
Lippy:
Try reading this from Alan Gartner's site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm. The diagrams and text in his presentation explain how to wire any number of turnout types.
Joe
That's a great site for reference.
The most common means of wiring the frog are
1. tortoise switch machine (stall motor)
2. bluepoint switch machine (manual pull with DPDT contacts)
3. Frog Juicer (quite expensive)
If you want to examine these options closer, and how to hook them up, might I suggest the DCC and electronics discussion forum of this website.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
Texas Zepher
Thank you for your reply. I guess I don't understand how to wire the frog so you can switch polarity depending on witch way you traverse through the turnout, without installing a separate switch. Obviously I'm not much of an electrician. Like most of the folks who replied, the eltric frog switches do look great.
Thank you Lippy from OK.
lippyI'm running ho. I'm having a hard time understanding the purpose of an eltric frog on switches. I understand the difference, but not why you would use one. They do look better but a pain to wire.
2. Longevity.
3. Electrical Reliability.
4. Fewer Short Circuits.
Our club quickly adopted the insulfrog type turnout so the electrically challenged members didn't have to worry about it. BUT we were surprised to find when we converted the entire fleet to metal wheel sets that they would short across the frogs. We had to modify them with finger-nail polish (which quickly wears off) or implant a larger plastic plate across the frog (which lasts longer) or putting a shim into the guard rail to prevent these shorts. We quickly went back to the electrofrog. It was just much more time effective to use the electrofrogs and do a tiny amount of wiring than it was to make/maintain these other modifications.
5. Turnout direction indication and signaling.
lippy I understand the difference, but not why you would use one.
I understand the difference, but not why you would use one.
Mr Lippy,
From the the perspective of operability my experience is that the live frog turnouts are more reliable than insulated versions. My layout employs Peco medium and large Insulfrogs and Fastracks #6 and #4.5 with live frogs. If a loco is going to stall it will happen on a Peco turnout. Doesn't happen every time, in fact maybe once in 50 opportunities but it does happen. The offending locos are a little 2-6-0 and a SW8/900.
Simply my experience offered for your consideration.
Dwayne A
Another reason is that eventually the plastic frog gets chewed out, particularly if you use metal wheels and run lots of trains.
It is a personal preference, I prefer the better look and running quality of metal frogs. I am a technician by trade so the little extra wiring and insulated rail joiners is no problem for me. I use tortoise switch machines and use one set of aux contacts to power the frog, rather than using the tabs on the moving switch rails.
cheers
Alan
Alan Jones in Sunny Queensland (Oz)
The purpose of a powered frog is to help prevent stalling of short wheelbase locos moving through the switch. Some small wheelbase locos are not able to maintain adequate contact while they are traversing an un-powered frog.
The powered frog carries current so short wheel based locos won't stall on it. An insul frog carries no current. Short wheel based locos can stall on it.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I'm running ho. I'm having a hard time understanding the purpose of an eltric frog on switches. I understand the difference, but not why you would use one. They do look better but a pain to wire.
Thanks for your time