I've got two of them on my layout. They feed yard tracks, so I'm not worried about the power beyond the turnout when the points aren't set for that track. When I throw the turnouts, I've got good, solid power beyond them.
Insulfrog turnouts should not be a problem. I would recommend sticking with Peco switch machines, so you maintain the good, solid contact between the point and stock rails.
If you are having problems, you might want to add the Peco gadget that provides contact closures when you throw the turnout. These can be wired to the appropriate rails, if you need an additional power route.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Good day. I just installed a 3 way Peco Insulfrog on my layout. It is the start of a three track stub yard. I ran feeders off my main bus to each of the three yard tracks. I have no problems and I am using DCC.
Scott
one87th wrote:any special wiring modifications needed for a Peco insulfrog 3-Way Switch.
davidmbedard wrote: I would avoid 3 ways and slip switches when you are doing DCC. There is no real way of wiring them up reliably.
I would avoid 3 ways and slip switches when you are doing DCC. There is no real way of wiring them up reliably.
Or, just not have any engines at all, that would work fine, never a problem!
It's all about avoiding shorts. You might have to cut some gaps, or add a switch, but there's no reason to avoid them. Just do the research, draw pictures, and maybe use an ohm meter. I conpletely disagree about there being no way to wire them up reliably.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
So what you are saying, and I agree with it, is that the polarity of a frog can depend on the position of two points, rather than the usual one. It still should not be hard to devise a method that gives the right polarity. I saw one method for wiring a double crossover for DCC which used a auto-reverser to power the messy double frog in the middle (if I'm remembering right). Not completely simple, but it also doesn't strike me as something to be avoided if it makes the trackplan 'right'. I'll qualify that a bit by saying that one should have a pretty good understanding of how this stuff works before trying it. I'm not sure if he's trying to wire the frogs or not, but even if he is it seems to me that the issue is how to wire them, get the polarity right, and avoid shorts. I'm just saying that there is a defference between no way and no simple way.
I guess it comes down to the usual tradeoffs, power the frogs or not, and simpler trackwork equals simpler wiring. But most things can be done if necessary to gt what you are after.