hey guys and gals and kids of all ages, unfortunatly, im not too excited right now.... the upper level of my layout, and im installing my passing track, put both peco switches in, and now, whenever i throw one, it shorts or something along those lines, and the power drops in half, and then, my tech 2 2400 detects an overload.... whenever its straight through, its fine, when its switched, it dies..... i dont get it.... they are electrifrogs, but i have no idea whats wrong! thanks for any input, -Rob
Are you using insulated joiners on the rails comming out of the frogs? If not they will short everything out.
i only need them on the rails comming out of the frogs? okay, how do i wire this stuff? know any good diagrams? -Rob
Rob: Classic problem. No sweat. You power the rails (because they are electrofrogs) from the point end of the turnout. Then, you gap both rails in the siding. That will solve it. Having said that, I think you should experiment some to see what effect gapping at the siding on both turnouts, gappin at only one turnout at the siding, etc. There are many variations of this. The solution I gave is only one and may not be what you want to do operationally. Also, take a few days and go through the "How to Wire Your Model railroad" book. Electrical is by far my weakest point of modeling. I am sure others will be more help. Just wait until the first reversing loop! That took me about four days to figure out after someone had told me what the problem was! Just keep asking questions.
okay, im lost.... haha! so, i gap the rails in the siding? i was thinking i would just gap them right before the frong at the end that splits off.... (i guess that is the point) ill try to take some pictures and see if im right.... im a more visual learner, so if you have diagrams, please show me! thanks!
The frog is the opposite end of the turnout from the point. The points are the part that move where the train diverts from the main track. The frog end is the part with the guard rails that sort of splay out like frog legs. If you gap the frog end, that will work, too. You need gap only the rail next to the mainline, but gapping both rails next to the frog is easier to me. Just do it so you can change everything and experiment some. See what works and what doesn't. It seems complicated now, but it is really very simple.
Remember that this is only for a passing siding or a double ended siding. These rules do not apply for a simple siding with only one turnout.
okay, well, right now its only a simple siding with only one turnout, i took the passing track out to see what the problem was, and it still shorts, even as a simple siding.....
If it shorts as a simple siding, that means that the power is being supplied from the frog end, either the main or siding. If a simple siding, power from the point end and do not gap the tracks at all.
okay im gonna play with things.... i thought that electrifrogs just meant it gave constant power all the time.... oh well. unfurtunatly my parents went to bed, so i cant make any noise.... tomorrow is a new day! thanks for all your help, -Rob
okay flash, now i can see where you were telling me to gap the rails.... i got ya... good deal, thanks guys! -Rob
