Newbie

[bobjr]

Hello.. I'm getting back into model RR with a small (12 X 2) shelve layout in nscale.. Want operation to be "real" simple (point to point and switching..  I want DCC (for multiple loco op's.. All turnouts will be thrown by hand.. Confused on tunouts (Peco Code 55 electrfrog).. Do I NEED TO CUT GAPS and use insulated rail joiners or just use insulated rail joiners.. HELP PLEASE

[peahrens]

)Welcome, Bob.  I  can't help on the Peco's as I don't have any (mine are HO Walthers Shinohara.  Someone will chime in to answer pretty soon, I'd guess.  For DCC in general, check out the extensive wiring-for-dcc site.  It has specifics for lots if things, including turnouts by brand.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm

 

[Anonymous]

bobjr

Hello.. I'm getting back into model RR with a small (12 X 2) shelve layout in nscale.. Want operation to be "real" simple (point to point and switching..  I want DCC (for multiple loco op's.. All turnouts will be thrown by hand.. Confused on tunouts (Peco Code 55 electrfrog).. Do I NEED TO CUT GAPS and use insulated rail joiners or just use insulated rail joiners.. HELP PLEASE

Are you planing on using some sort of frog juicer for your turnout or are you leaving the frog dead?

This might help:

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_peco.htm

You should still read the link in the previous post.  Using the information in both you should prove sucessful.  If you are still confused please feel free to ask more questions.  And to the forums

Also do you have a multivolt meter with a continuity setting? It will help you check for shorts between the rails in case you make a mistake.  It will also help you determine if your connections between your rails and feeders are properly wired.

[richhotrain]

bobjr

Confused on tunouts (Peco Code 55 electrfrog).. Do I NEED TO CUT GAPS and use insulated rail joiners or just use insulated rail joiners.. HELP PLEASE

You need to do both, and you need to power the frog once you isolate it.

[RideOnRoad]

I have over a dozen Peco Electrofrog turnouts on my layout, have just used the Peco insulated joiners, and it works just fine. (DCC)

[richhotrain]

RideOnRoad

I have over a dozen Peco Electrofrog turnouts on my layout, have just used the Peco insulated joiners, and it works just fine. (DCC)

 

Richard, which Peco Electrofrogs are you using?  The OP is using Code 55 N gauge Electrofrogs. 

Rich

[RR_Mel]

An expert on Peco N gauge is Mike Fifer.  I would suggest you IM him with your questions.

 

http://cs.trains.com/members/mfifer/default.aspx 

 

 

Mel

 

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

[BroadwayLion]

Electric Frogs.... Sounds like a music Group.

I am the LION, the Broadway LION. LION models the New York City Subway in HO scale.Largest Subeay Layout in the State of North Dakota!

LION does not bother to power frogs. LION does not even bother to wire the swithc rails at all! 48 wheel pickup works wonders, it does.

ROAR

[bobjr]

RideOnRoad

I have over a dozen Peco Electrofrog turnouts on my layout, have just used the Peco insulated joiners, and it works just fine. (DCC)

 

I guess everyone has their preferences, but is it really that easy.. (using insulated rail joiners & wire feeders)?? No frog juicers (since frogs are powered)... No cutting of gaps to isolate frogs?? No shorts??

[bobjr]

so, do I use only insulated rail joiners? what about shorts? or isolate frogs and juice em.. please advise

[Texas Zepher]

bobjr

so, do I use only insulated rail joiners? what about shorts?

INSULATED joiners do that.  They insulate (i.e. isolate) the frog and prevent shorts.

and juice em.

The frogs are "juiced" by design from the points.  If the points are thrown to the left the frog is powered from the left rail, if the points are thrown to the right the frog is powered from the right rail.

Adding extra circuits or devices to provide additional power to the frog are just that, additional "extra" fail safe, bullet proof, or just-in-case items.

I would just use insulated joiners.  I would only consider adding juicer in the future if, indeed, there are stalling problems at some point in the future.

 

[RideOnRoad]

Peco N-Scale Code 55 Electrofrogs, just like the OP.

[richhotrain]

The last time that we heard from the OP was on Saturday, so perhaps by now he has decided upon a course of action.

But, I believe that if the OP has read the link that was provided to the Peco turnout portion of Alan Gartner's web site, Wiring for DCC, he will have gained a fuller understanding of Peco Electrofrogs.

The Peco Code 55 Electrofrog, unlike the Peco Code 83 Electrofrog, does not have pre-cut rails leading to the frog.  If the OP wishes to isolate the frog, he will need to cut gaps in the rails leading to the frog and then wire the closure rails to their respective stock rails.  In addition, he will need to place insulated rail joiners on the inner frog rails.  This will completely isolate and independently power the frog, ensuring trouble free performance.

Alternatively, he could simply insulate the ends of the inner frog rails, as can be done on the Peco Code 83 Electrofrog, but this action alone will not isolate the frog, so trouble free performance cannot be absolutely assured.

Rich