wiring a double slip switch

[Anonymous]

I am installing a double slip switch, and have soldered all 8 turnout ends to the hot adjoining track. However the inner half of the turnout seems to be dead. Do I need to wire the inner half of the crossover also?
Thanks.

[lesterperry]

What brand of switch is it. I have a couple of peco and just hook them with connectors with no problems. I gave a friend a couple of older ones I dont remember the brands but they were the same.

[cacole]

I never solder a turnout into place, for the exact reason you are now relating -- you should have put insulated rail joiners on one end of the double slip's rails that diverge from the frogs.

A turnout is the only piece of trackwork with moving parts, and will always be the first to fail. They are much easier to replace if they are not soldered into place.

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking it is Peco, but Im not sure. Since it is soldered in, I can't check very easily.

That is a good suggestion about not soldering turnouts, as I am having a problem with several others, not shorts, but engines that will not track through them.

I was wondering if the turnout positions affected circuit flow through the switch. That is do you need to open both turnouts to complete the electric flow? if so maybe this is my problem.

Thank you both for responding, I may unsolder my turnouts and replace them with new ones!

[Anonymous]

heyy hidick! i own the same double slip on my layout and what i used was an atlas twin switch. it works very well. i am prety happy with that switch they are very expensive though. mine was 45$! but im happy with it so thats all that matters!

Thnx [:D] Keith

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by hidick
I was wondering if the turnout positions affected circuit flow through the switch. That is do you need to open both turnouts to complete the electric flow? if so maybe this is my problem.

The short answer is, yes. The long and totally correct answer depends on the type of turnout and where exactly the feeder wires were soldered.

When the turnout points are moved they make conections with the outside rail opposite of the direction. If the turnouts have solid metal frogs (like Peco Electrofrog) this will route power to the track selected by the direction of the turnout. The other leg of the turnout will have both rails the same polarity. When turnouts are used in combinations, like passing sidings, this can also cause short circuits.

[BR60103]

If the points click into place when you move them it is probably Peco.
How to wire it depends on which Peco it is.
I have 2 Insulfrog (plastic frog) double slips and the just need a wire to each side.
The Electrofrog require extra wiring to the frogs that is hooked to a switch on the switch machine. There should be a little extra wire under the frog, plus a couple of wires for the outer rails. You may have to add a jumper at each end to one of the rails coming from the frog (doesn't matter which) and then through your switch machine. You need an insulated gap in each rail beyond the frog and the jumper.
Loys Toys have a good explanation, even if it is for DCC -- the wiring still works.