Peco insulfrog & electrofrog turnouts

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After reading several questions and answers regarding using these Peco turn outs on a DCC layout, I am still not clear on whether Peco switches are a "short-out" problem or not. The gist of most of the responses seems to be that they are a problem in DCC lay-outs and should be avoided. Since I have a pretty decent collection of both electro and insulfrog switches, I would just as soon not have to discard them for the lay-out I am planning using a Digitrax DCC and tortoise switch machines. Any comment to this is appreciated.

-- Steve Trout (chester1090@hotmail.com), August 19, 2003

Answers

I generally think the Peco turnout is good for DCC.

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

Note: So much for a secret! This is the second time in 24 hours that the cat is getting out of the bag. The Peco web page is the beginning of the revamping of the Wiring For DCC website. This particular page was just uploaded 8/18/03. As soon as I finish revamping the turnouts section,I will test all the pages and make sure no bugs crawled in. If everything works, the new look and navigation will start spreading to the other pages.

-- Allan Gartner (bigboy@WiringForDCC.com), August 19, 2003.


I don't believe there is anything wrong with Peco switches. In fact, I think they are one of the more robust both mechanically and electrically. I have (had actually, a new one is being constructed) a DCC layout with about 50 code 75 Electrofrog and a few Insulfrog installed.

Any electrical problem such as short circuits that exist will exist under both DC and DCC. Ther eis nothig unique about DCC that makse switthces misbehave. However, the impact of a short is more dramatic and widespread using DCC.

Make sure your track work is good and your rolling stock wheelsets are good and you will have much better operation on either DC or DCC.

Dale.

-- Dale Gloer (dale.gloer@telus.net), August 20, 2003.


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