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Insulfrog Turnouts
Howard posted this:
“My locos stall on the straight section inside the turnout. Curve ok. Not sure why? I have power on entry and exit to my Peco insulfrog turnout. I have two insulating joiners on each of the inside rails. I run with Bachmann EZ Command. Any answers please?”
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7 Responses to Insulfrog Turnouts
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Not sure when you say you have power on entry and exit of the turnout if you mean you have tested it with a meter or if that is how the track is wired. You should use a meter (or a light bulb of the appropriate voltage) to check where there is power and where there is not.
A common problem with turnouts, whether insulfrog or not, is that the power through the turnout depends on the physical contact between the blade and the rail. When this happened to me, it was just in one direction, which sounds similar to the problem you have. When the loco stalls, try pushing on the tie bar to press the blade against the rail and see if that solves the problem. If that is the problem then a good cleaning is needed of that area. There may be a small particle preventing proper closure (although not big enough to cause a derailment.) Sometimes, the problem is that the spring has become too weak. In that case you need to wire the frog end of the turnout to a polarity switch that changes with the turnout direction. You can get mechanical switches that connect to the turnout, or you can get electronic switches that sense what the correct polarity should be and do it automatically.
Worst case scenario, replace the turnout.
Good luck.
Need to see the online help for wiring the frogs. You have a dead spot
peco turnouts wiring for dcc is on the back of the turnout package, else go the thier web site. couple ways of installing, but best is to check the site,
I have used small strips of electrical tape to successfully insulate the rails on the Lionel turnout switches to help eliminate the short circuits that occur . Why do the shorts occur?
These shorts are a problem on the tubular steel track I use.
This seems to be more of a problem operating newer engines
.
What I suggest you try first, before you mess with wiring or such. Very carefully make sure the points are making good contact with the adjoining rails. Insulfrogs depend on point feed for electrical contact. The little spring that helps the points is paramount. Then, VERY carefully clean the inside edges between that point and rail where they contact. I suggest you use Mineral Spirits to clean. In fact, use MS to clean all track. Wiping along the rails until they shine. If not too much gunk, may still take a few rubbings. Then, after you are sure the rails are clean. Make sure wheels on cars and locos are clean. Finally, get a soft pencil and rub VERY lightly dabs here and there along the inside edge of the rails and let cars spread the graphite. That will help electrical conductivity. You might even take a light dab between the point and rail to help that conductivity. Your problem might be that simple. The importance of this is that the electricity is passed along through those points. And yes, a bulb or meter to check that conductivity will help verify it.
OR,…… go to an art supply store 7 buy a graph pencil, these are GREAT !
Make sure it graphite and not charcoal. Any pencil, #6,4 or even a 2 will work. But a graphite stick/pencil is indeed the best.