N scale Peco code 80 swithces with plastic frogs

[Paradise275]

Hi.
We use Peco code 80 switches with plastic frogs on our club layout. Short wheel based engines and steam engines sometimes develop a stall going over the switches. The recent article in Model Railroad Hobbyist about Frog juicers or keep alive capacitors led me to ask the question, what do the experts use on their Peco insulfrog switches? Especially for locos with sound decoders.

Rick

[Dave V]

The older portion of my layout uses Peco code 80 Insulfrog turnouts.  I'm sorry to say that--since they're plastic--there's nothing you can use to power the frogs.  That said, my one sound-equipped loco (a 2-8-8-2) has sufficient contact points that I never get sound stalls on mine.  I'm even able to operate a GE 44T through them, but only if the wheels, wipers, and adjacent rails are immaculate.

Good luck!

[Paradise275]

Thanks Dave.
Then a keep alive capacitor in the steam loco may be the best bet.
Are the difficult to wire up?

Rick

[davefoxx]

Another thought, check your closure rails and points for good electrical continuity.  If they don't have that, the dead spot in your turnout grows.  Perhaps a feeder to the closure rails or the points will cure your problem.

Hope this helps,
DFF

[Dave V]

Thanks Dave.
Then a keep alive capacitor in the steam loco may be the best bet.
Are the difficult to wire up?

Rick

Is what difficult?  I've never used a keep-alive.  As for the turnouts, unless I'm doing a crossover, I just make sure there are feeders leading into it from all three directions.  Crossovers still require insulated joints between them.

[x600]

Hi Rick,
The main problem I have experienced with the insulfrog is the fact that the points carry the
power toward the insulfrog by contact alone.
I have eliminated this problem by soldering jumpers from the stock rails to the closure rails.
This site has been extremely helpful.   http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_peco.htm
I refer to this page often to refresh myself.
The last time I did this, I forgot to snip the wires to the frog on an electro-frog.
Shorts happen!

Greg O.

[peteski]

IIRC, if you look under the plastic frog, there are wire jumpers which connect the closure rails to the rails coming out of the frog. As long as you power those rails, the closure rails will automatically get powered too.

[mmyers]

Jumpers to the point rails are the best solution. Without the jumpers, the contact comes from side to side contact between the stock rails and points and/or that little rail joiner hinge. Both spots are unreliable after a little age and dirt collect. Just the moisture from ballasting is enough to get the corrosion started.

Martin Myers

[eric220]

In regards to the keep-alives, I've installed KAM-3's in a couple of brass locos. Those have the capacitors built in. They're no harder to install than a regular decoder, although they are obviously a bit bigger.  The reliability of those locos went through the roof after the KAMs went in. I've never tried installing a keep-alive module to an existing decoder, but my understanding is that you need a "keep-alive ready" decoder with contacts for the capacitor module.

[alhoop]

Hi.
We use Peco code 80 switches with plastic frogs on our club layout. Short wheel based engines and steam engines sometimes develop a stall going over the switches. The recent article in Model Railroad Hobbyist about Frog juicers or keep alive capacitors led me to ask the question, what do the experts use on their Peco insulfrog switches? Especially for locos with sound decoders.

Rick

I turned all my insulfrog turnouts to electrofrog ones even those already installed.
https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=33081.msg377943#msg377943


PS you might also be interested in this:
http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/showthread.php?158192-N-scale-turnout-and-frog-control-with-switchstands&p=982261&highlight=#post982261

Al

[Paradise275]

Hi.
I've found information on the Hex Frog Juicer made by Tam Valley.
They claim that they have modified the frog juices for Peco Electro Frog switches so you don't have to do anything. Just use insulators as per the Peco instructions.
Has anyone used these?

Rick

[Dave V]

Hi.
I've found information on the Hex Frog Juicer made by Tam Valley.
They claim that they have modified the frog juices for Peco Electro Frog switches so you don't have to do anything. Just use insulators as per the Peco instructions.
Has anyone used these?

Rick

But the question at hand is about the Insul-Frog version with the plastic frog.

In reading the aforementioned thread regarding removing the plastic frog and fabricating a metal frog in its place, I'm left wondering why one wouldn't simply replace the turnout altogether with Electro-Frog, unless cost was the overriding factor.

[Paradise275]

You're right David.
I am confusing the issue and should have started a new thread.

Rick