Peco Insulfrog verses Electrofrog

[railfan]

Why is there two types of Peco code 80 frogs here? When/why do you use Insulfrog? When/why do you use Electrofrog? Also, is an atlas code 80 snap switch electro or insul?

 

[WCWBrassHat]

The Atlas code 80 switches have insulated frogs.

Powered frogs help prevent locomotives from stalling on the turnouts. The downside is a relay must be used to switch the polarity when the turnout is thrown.

Insulated frog turnouts are more DCC friendly.

The other difference between the Atlas and Peco turnouts are that the Peco turnouts are power routing thru the points of the turnout. This makes it nice if you want to kill the power on a siding, but requires more isulators in other places to make things run and to prevent shorts.

I haven't bought any Peco turnouts in many years, but the old ones that I have are out of gauge along the points and cause shorts when used with DCC.

Glenn

 

[railfan]

Thanks for the details Glenn. I'm experimenting with most types of atlas and peco code 80 switches to see what works best for my layout and locos. I'm only using the insulated frogs unless and until I run into stalling problems. I like that the peco's have a spring to help hold the points in place.

 

[TrinityJayOne]

Atlas snap switches are rubbish compared to Peco ones. I use Peco 80 insulfrogs without insulated joiners. Still works, but occasionally you'll get shorts if you go over slow enough. Insulated joiners after the frog and only powering from the point side like you're supposed to will stop that, I'm just lazy.

 

[railfan]

I have a few of the atlas code 80 custom line switches without the black box on them. My layout table is almost ready and as soon as I start laying track was going to try these switches with the caboose sprung manual ground throws. This is a quote from the product description:

"Stainless steel springs take up the overtravel and maintain tension to hold the movable points agianst the stock rails of the turn out".

So was hoping that might work better than just the ones with the crummy onboard mechanism. Have you or anyone used a manual setup like this? Our local model railroad club HO layout has a bunch of these caboose manual throws.....but I haven't discussed this with other members yet since just going to my first meeting there recently.

 

[videobruce]

I haven't bought any Peco turnouts in many years, but the old ones that I have are out of gauge along the points and cause shorts when used with DCC.

What has changed from then to now to eliminate this problem?

Why isn't insulated frogs available in Peco code 55??