Hey everyone, sorry if this is a topic that has been beaten to death. I've fallen into a pit that I often find myself in - paralysis by analysis. I think I've read TOO many posts and what not on wiring Atlas Code 55 turnouts. First, I'm using DCC, powering the frog with a Frog Juicer. There will be 5 turnouts on a small 6' long switching layout. Smallest loco would be a MP15 switcher. Largest would be GP40s, GP40-2s. So if I read correctly from the Wiring For DCC site I obviously need to run feeders to both stock rails, i.e. the outermost rails that run the entire length of the switch. Obviously I need to run a wire from the insulated frog to the Juicer. But I've also ascertained I need to run power to the switch points, the closure rails and the frog rails. By my count that is 9 feeders in all! Is it easier to run smaller wire jumpers from rail to rail (of the same polarity, duh)? Is all this wiring over kill? I know all of this is easier before I install the turnout - which is why I'm scared to move forward. This layout is mainly for learning and practice, so it doesn't need to last forever. However I'd like to take any easy precautions I can to extend its life if need be. Thanks!
I use just one wire to the frog via machine contacts, or the frog juicer (neat piece of kit BTW) in your case. I let the normal rail connections provide power from both directions into the turnout.
Dave - I use Atlas code 55 turnouts, and I use DCC, so I went through exactly the same "paralysis" phenomenon. Atlas code 55 turnouts contain built-in connections that power the points, closure rails, and frog rails. Some modelers add their own jumpers that duplicate these connections (or install additional feeders) because the built-in connections have been known to fail. This is what the Wiring for DCC site suggests. I do not know how common such failures are. If you trust the built-in connections, then you need only connect feeders to the stock rails and connect your Frog Juicer to the frogs. If you do not trust the built-in connections, you may wish to install the jumpers shown on the Wiring for DCC web site. In my case, I have decided to trust the built-in connections. Maybe I will live to regret this decision, but so far my layout works fine. If I had any turnouts that were hidden and inaccessible, I might have installed the extra wiring in them. - Jeff
Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'll follow suit and just wire the stock rails and frog. All adjoining tracks will have their own feeders. And true the built in jumpers may eventually fail, but I have a feeling I'm more likely to mess them up soldering. But thanks for the vote of confidence that I don't need to go overboard.
No problem, Dave. I kept to the simple method of allowing the turnouts to be fed from all directions through the rails and trusting the integrity of the rail joiners and internal turnout connections. So far no issues but would be a simple test and fix if so (for me at least - I'm a sparky). So, if you've installed feeders on the adjoining tracks leading into and out of the turnout a failed jumper would likely not be noticed unless the rails are insulated between the turnout and feeder (blocking) or you have high resistance joiners (assuming no feeder to the stockrails).
I do not trust rail joiners to conduct power to the turnouts (or anywhere else), though that would be the simplest solution. I solder feeders to the stock rails of each turnout and to every section of track, a small extra step that is easy to do. If every rail joiner on the layout were to become corroded and no longer capable of carrying power, the layout would continue to operate normally. What I DID trust is the internal connections built in to the turnouts themselves, a decision I hope I don't later regret! - Jeff
If you go to www.handlaidtrack.com and find the track plan that you atlas matches and follow the instructions for the rail cuts and placing the PC ties you will elimitate all the jumper wiring and have a totally DCC friendly Turnout. I have converted my Atlas turnouts and are now trouble free as well as build my own scratch turnouts usuing there plans Alan C>
