NP2626 Is there a difference between turn-outs such as Atlas Custom-Line turnouts, where the frog is metal and insulated; but, power-able by a solenoid; or, contacts on a switch machine and DCC "Friendly" turnouts? Turnouts with insulated metal frogs have been around for a long time. Is the DCC friendly turnout something new and different?
Is there a difference between turn-outs such as Atlas Custom-Line turnouts, where the frog is metal and insulated; but, power-able by a solenoid; or, contacts on a switch machine and DCC "Friendly" turnouts? Turnouts with insulated metal frogs have been around for a long time. Is the DCC friendly turnout something new and different?
I think that Dave stated it pretty well in his reply.
On Allan Gartner's web site, Wiring for DCC, he defines DCC Friendly Turnouts as follows:
Features that Make a Turnout DCC Friendly:
Points: - points that have no hinge. Each point rail is a single piece with its closure rail, or - each point rail is connected to its closure rail with a rail joiner.
Frog: - frog is plastic, or - frog is isolated from the frog and closure rails.
How to Tell if Your Turnout is Not DCC Friendly:
The easiest thing to do is check the left menu bar. It lists the most popular manufacturers and identifies the turnout as DCC friendly or not. Also, click on the link and read about your turnout.
If you have a turnout not listed, look for any of the following. There are two key areas of a turnout that make it not DCC Friendly. If you have any of the identified features under a single group, you have a turnout that is partially not DCC Friendly. If you have at least one feature under both groups, then you have a turnout that is not DCC Friendly at all. Find a listed manufacturer that is closest to the turnout you have for information on how to use your turnout.
Non-DCC Friendly Features:
Points: - single piece of metal connecting point tips together. - single piece of metal acting as a hinge.
Frog: - a metal frog that is not surrounded by four gaps or insulated joints.
Rich
Alton Junction
jeffrey-wimberly DCC turnouts have a pre-installed decoder.
DCC turnouts have a pre-installed decoder.
Thank you!
Selector and dehusmen bring up another question, and that is: Is there a difference between turn-outs such as Atlas Custom-Line turnouts, where the frog is metal and insulated; but, power-able by a solenoid; or, contacts on a switch machine and DCC "Friendly" turnouts? Turnouts with insulated metal frogs have been around for a long time. Is the DCC friendly turnout something new and different?
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
If you are referring to "DCC friendly" turnouts, they are normally turnouts where the points are the same polarity as the adjacent stock rail. That way an errant wheel can't touch the stock rail and the point rail and the same time and short out. Normally to do that it requires insulating the frog from the points. So really a "DCC friendly" has to do with the wiring of the points, not the frog.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Yes. DCC-friendly frogs are severed, physically, from the rest of the rails around them and plastic insulating filler plugs replace the missing metal. Or, in the case of the Fast Tracks gapped frog, they're....well....gapped.
You can electrify the severed frogs by soldering a feeder to them and then powering them via a switch machine with a built in polarity reverser (Tortoise, eg), or use a DPDT.
The 'electro-frog' or normal frogs usually get the same polarity as the stock rail that has the point tight against it, and that is done both by metal-to-metal pressure and/or by a wiper under the points.
All I use are the gapped frogs or the Peco 'insulfrog' turnouts. I don't have any problems, not even with a little SW08 or my P2K 0-6-0.
Crandell
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
It has always been a good idea to electrify the frog of your switches (Turnouts). Most; but, not all the frogs on my layout have been powered via solenoids and I curse the ones I did not power. Is there a difference between the two types of turnouts mentioned in the title. Or, are DCC turnouts, turnouts that can be thrown via a decoder already installed in the turnout by the manufacturer? And yes, there is a similar recent thread; but, they have not asked about DCC turnouts.