Handlaying turnouts

[dnhouston]

I never thought about purposefully wiring a dead-zone on the turnout, but it makes sense.  Thanks for the link Gary.  I may try that on my next handlaid turnout.

[Chris333]

You don't gap the frog to create a dead zone. You do it to isolate it and power it separately.

When the turnout is thrown one way the frog will be +. Thrown the other way the frog will be -.

[peteski]

You don't gap the frog to create a dead zone. You do it to isolate it and power it separately.

... just like the Atlas C55 turnouts are constructed.

[GaryHinshaw]

I think David is referring to diagrams 6 & 8 in the link I posted, in case it wasn't clear.  I think he gets the powered frog concept.

[packers#1]

Sawyer, you'll definitely learn about gapping the frog after your first build, if not before, but hopefully before...  Here is a nice page with some wiring tips:

http://www.proto87.com/turnout-wiring-for-DCC.html

jb, my hats off to you!  I'm a slow worker, what can I say?   

  DUH! Basically gapping means isolating the frog to be powered or un-powered so it doesn't cause a short?
Parents are at Lowes for drywall, finally to youtube!

[jagged ben]

Ben,

Excellent point. Do the jigs also allow for enough PC ties where you want them to gap the frog?

Bill

IIRC, they only have one tie on each side of where the gaps go.  More PC ties coulnd't hurt there either.  (Of course you also have the option on the diverging end to put the gap close to the frog or further back where you tie it into other trackwork.)   

With that said I haven't seen problems with the frog area.  It is the pressure from the points being pressed against the stock rails (by the Tortoise) that calls for extra strength.  The frog doesn't suffer from that.   It may also be less of an issue if you have hand throws and use a light touch

[bill pearce]

I always put one tie on each side of a ggap at a minimum. They're not as urgent a requirement as the extras at the points, but I have seen one pop loose at the frog. Not sure the fasttracks jigs are as well thought out as they are well made.

[nkalanaga]

Many prototype turnouts have braces on the outside of the stock rail.  These could be simulated with ME spikes, and would help with the side pressure.  For PC ties, drill holes and add the spikes, soldering or gluing them in place, then cut them off flush underneath.  If your PC board has copper on both sides, be sure to gap the underside as well.