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DCC friendly turnouts or not

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GMD-1:
I am still at the planning stage for my layout. I would like to get an idea whether DCC friendly turnouts, as in insulated frogs, are necessary with Railpro. Although I do not have Railpro yet (I'm just DC for now) It is my plan to go with it, rather than DCC

Dean:
My layout is a mix of DCC friendly turnouts and older non-DCC friendly turnouts. With the non-DCC turnouts, I have a small gap between the diverging route and the track. I also leave a gap between the main route and it's track. The turnout gets power from being attached to the main at the throat of the switch. No extra wiring, no 'juicers', no relays, no extra switches. Just install and enjoy.

G8B4Life:
Welcome GMD-1 (name?)

I don't think you'll be displeased in any way if you do go with RailPro.

DCC friendly means a bit more than just insulated frogs. Either insulated or live frogs will do you ok and both are/can be DCC friendly.
Many like live for the reason of better pickup capability but if the insulated frog section isn't overly long insulated should work for you if you prefer it.

What you don't particularly want is the points (you may know as the switch) rails to be connected together electrically. There's much more out there on DCC friendly turnouts that I could ever type in here so a couple of good links to get you going.

DCC Wiki (start with this one) http://www.dccwiki.com/DCC_Friendly_Turnout

Look at the drawings section, even if you don't run power buses and the frog is insulated (pretend the frog is not coloured red or green) this is really the type of electrical path you want with the turnout's you get.


Alan Gartner's Wiring for DCC http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm

Alan's site is much more complex but contains a wealth of information on wiring turnouts.

So to sum up and hopefully I've not clouded things for you, DCC friendly in essence is not necessary but you certainly won't be doing yourself any disfavours if you do use them, in fact if you add power buses it'll probably maker your life much easier for you and remember, insulated or live frog isn't the only defining factor in the term DCC friendly.

- Tim

GMD-1:
Thanks Tim. I meant to sign off with my name but forgot. I probably should have said isolated frogs, like Microengineering's ones, rather than insulated. I was planning to go with Microengineering turnouts as I like the look mostly (and the price). But I find the gaps on each side of the frog unattractive. So I was wondering about turnouts where the frogs are part of the rail. I gather then that old Shinohara/Walthers turnouts would be bad. The ones where both points are joined together with a metal piece. I have a few I bought years ago and never used.

Richard

Alan:
RailPro is a DC system as far as track is concerned. The only difference is the amount of power available from the track. DC regulates loco speed by regulating the amount of power available from the track. RP has the track at full power all the time.

In a perfect world where all wheels are in gauge, flange thickness is correct, switches have sufficient stock/point rail clearances, and derailments are rare there is no need for DCC friendly. Sadly, we are playing with Made in China toys so such assurances can not be relied upon. A short circuit with a DC system rarely causes any real problem. The power pack is slow to respond, wiring gauge is relatively small, and the amperage is generally low. DCC and RP on the other hand are high amperage units using low loss wiring with fast acting internal circuit breakers that shut down quickly from a short thus disrupting fun for all. If the shorting current is not high enough to kick the breaker then it is possible to build up a lot of heat resulting in melted plastic parts. A short on a DCC/RP layout is electrically the same as a short occurring on a DC layout with a high amperage power pack set at wide open throttle connected to the track with fat wire.

So, DCC friendly switches with RailPro are in essence an insurance policy. What is your risk tolerance?
 

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