The power routing capability of the Insulfrog was useful in analog operations, but it causes problems in DCC since the turnout no longer needs to control power routing. With the use of insulated rail joiners on the point rails, the Insulfrog will work flawlessly.
What voltage do model trains run on?
They may be small but inside every model train is a motor that needs electricity. And for DC models, the ideal and maximum voltage for N scale is 12V, with 10V being the recommended. In DC trains, electricity is passed pass from the rails, through the wheels to the motor.
What is the difference between Electrofrog and Insulfrog?
The electrical power routing of the Peco Electrofrog is different than that of the PECO Insulfrog. The Electrofrog is a well designed turnout. There is no plastic for wheels to run on. The Insulfrog may have an all plastic (non-conducting) frog, or a metal one with gaps.
How do I wire a PECO Unifrog?
Wiring the PECO Unifrog
- Install it directly from the package. The frog remains insulated from the closure and point rails and requires no extra wiring.
- Use the pre-attached wire to connect the stock rails to the frog using an electrical switch.
Are PECO Insulfrog points DCC friendly?
The PECO Insulfrog is a power routing turnout. The term Power Routing indicates that only the route selected by the switch rails has power. This is accomplished by controlling power to the point rails. Out of the package it is 100% DCC Compatible.
Do I need to modify PECO code 55 points?
There is absolutely no need to modify Peco code 55 points they work perfectly well straight from the box. To the OP have you added insulated rail joins to the ends of the frog rails? There is absolutely no need to modify Peco code 55 points they work perfectly well straight from the box.
Why frog feed PECO Electrofrog points?
Code 55 Peco Electrofrog points don’t suffer from metal wheels being able to touch the inside faces of the open point blade. The open gap between stock and switch rail is too great. Frog feeding is normally used as it will improve rail power (and DCC data) transfer into the point.
Are PECO point-work turnouts the same as other brands?
This same principal applies equally to ALL Peco point-work in OO and HO. Other brands may be structured a bit differently but the same principal applies -isolate the frog so it can be switched with the turnout, and remove ALL reliance on physical blade contact by binding all closure rails and blades on the same side of the turnout together.
What size wire do I need to jump a turnout?
For the N-scale turnout, you have the option to jumper the hinge point between the closure rails and point rails. If you do this, a very small wire, like a #28 or #30 AWG wire is suggested. Be careful and don’t interfere with the flipping of the points. As I said, this is an optional step.
