RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
Frog Juicers compatible with RailPro?
Alan:
Ah, very much so.
G8B4Life:
ANE's documentation has always been a bit on the "to be desired" side. They do try though. Unfortunately I can't comment much on the SmartFrog v5 as I don't have one; I only have an old (v1 ??) SmartSwitch set somewhere... I could possibly get v5 fairly easily though as a friend of mine carries ANE.
Pondering Alan's comments, if it's automatic polarity wanted (not switch machine driven) I wonder if it wouldn't be better to leave the frog unpowered until something runs over it. I imagine you could then detect which polarity it needs to be easily without the "allow the mistake to happen then resolve it" as the frog would have some potential once the locomotive bridges the frog and the powered rails. This could operate one of two transistors that apply the correct power to the frog (yes I know this would probably cause a power loop which would cause the frog to remain powered indefinitely but I think you get the general idea). Only the shortest wheelbase loco's might still an issue but a timer could possibly be thrown in somehow to delay the turning off of the power once there's no more detection.
I don't think this approach would work for DCC though so it wouldn't work for those that want dual capability. Then again it might not be a workable idea at all even for DC in which case I'm just spouting hot air.
- Tim
Alan:
--- Quote --- ...leave the frog unpowered until something runs over it...
--- End quote ---
That's an awesome idea!
One glitch that would need to be worked out - differentiating between a short circuit and loco motor draw. Otherwise, you are effectively lower bound limited to sensing the current drawn by the heaviest locomotive in your fleet. Even a good runner drawing only 100mA is in the sparking range. Little tiny spark but still a spark. The sensing current needs to be down in the low double digit mA range to make sparking inconsequential.
Perhaps the circuit could sense current rise time instead of total current. As an aside, my block circuit breakers do this. They allow temporary current overshoots if the ramp is slow enough. If the ramp is fast then they trip right at the set point. It is not my handywork. This functionality is part of the IC I used. Hmmm, wonder if my breaker circuit could be adapted? Lest I digress. On the good idea, keeping the sensing current low in the frog would require precision measurement. A zero ohm path should have a faster current ramp than a 150 ohm path (100mA loco) but it will be close. I would imagine only occasionally will all the power for the loco be transferred through the one wheel on the frog. If only a percentage of power flow exists then it would be easier to differentiate the ramps. Still may require scary precision to work reliably. Hey! I know of a company with Precision right in their name - Precision Design Co. Maybe they can pull it off. ;D
Short circuits of any sort cut square against good electrical design. I am always drawn to any idea that eliminates them from the application.
Josephbw:
--- Quote from: William Brillinger on July 12, 2016, 08:10:07 PM ---
--- Quote ---This can cause problems unless you have gaps between the main and the switch, and a gap between the diverging route and the switch.
--- End quote ---
And that's my problem. I have Peco insulfrogs and they are not gaped after the frog. I'm still mulling over the best approach to adding a gap to them without pulling up track.
--- End quote ---
Bill our club has been using Peco Insulfrogs for over 30 years. I put a small thin layer of clear nail polish right behind the frogs on the diverging rails of all the switches. That has worked just fine for all these years. We've had 2 different switches that get the most traffic wear through the nail polish in the last 3 years, so I just gave them a quick touch up and after drying we're back in business. Nail polish is pretty tough and will last through many years of wheels rolling over it.
Joe
JJ Crooke:
Thanks everyone. Lots of good information/comments. But going back to my original question: can I power the SmartFrog (@ 12V DC, 4 amps) using my layout bus (powered by the PWR-56 @ 14.2V DC, 4 amps) without damaging the unit? Or is that something that must be tested to know the answer?
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