I am wanting to add a crossing or crossings in various parts of my new layout. Are all 30, 60, 90, degree crossings DCC friendly or is a specific type a crossing need to be used? I am using Peco Code 83 flex track and Peco turnouts; what type of crossing should I use?
I guess it depends on what you mean by DCC friendly? Some crossings (like old Shinohara) have what would be the equivalent of hot frogs in turnouts. They are just in general “Electricity Unfriendly”, DC, AC, DCC or any other. They required special gaps or insulated rail joiners and special wiring (once again this is not unique to DCC). They have the advantage of not having any dead spots where a locomotive could stall.
I think you might be wanting crossings that have built in insulating gaps to isolate all the rails. They also have plastic joints instead of letting the rail heads meet. Atlas would be in this category. The “new” Shinohara by Walthers would also be.
Peco makes both insulfrog and electro frog crossings. I have never used either. I will wager to say the Insulfrogs would be the ones you are calling DCC friendly.
While your question relates to the electrical aspects, let me add my disappointment with the Atlas code 83 90 degree crossings I used. Rolling stock could barely get over them (physically) and locos, cars would bump all over them due to improper clearances for the flanges or whatever. No way I would buy those again. Unfortunately I’ve got three installed in series and don’t want to tear up everything to switch brands, so I keep trying to improve the smoothness over these things with filing, etc.
The connecting Atlas flex is just fine. I used W-S turnouts and no unmanageable problems with them (a couple of manageable issues).
You’re doing good to research the electrical side but do also consider about the physical aspects.