Now that I have chosen the Digitrax Zepher system, I run into another problem. I have an existing DC layout with lots of Shinohra switches. None of the switches are wired yet, and neither is the track. I have read that I will have a shorting problem with these type of switches.
Is there a remedy for this shorting problem, other than taking out all the switches?
Propgator
I run a Digitrax Chief system and Walthers Shinohara code 83 turnouts and haven’t had any problems. I gap the frog end of all 4 rails and feed power through the points end. Everything works great. Enjoy!
Tom Watkins
I am doing the same as Tom…Ken
I do the same with dc. Everything works great now and I can upgrade eventually.
Enjoy
Paul
TOM
you got it correct for DCC.
You should use only friendly DCC turnouts if possible.
Gaping rail ends of the switches is the key.
Power should allways be connected at the point end of a switch.
All Non-Friendly switches require special wiring to avoid having short circuits.
Power should not be feed to a end spur tracks from a switch in DCC.
You should gap both rails after the switch then wire power to the spur track’s rails.
If you haven’t operated a train under DCC as yet . You are missing It.!!!
I only gapped the two rails behind the frog,and have not had a problem w/shorting.I drop feeder wires down to the power buss behind the gaps-the frog gets power from the tortoise switch machines.I also have a couple of Peco electro switches,hand thrown,that I have no gaps cut into that seem to work fine.Is there a reason to gap all 4 rails?It’s easy enough to gap them and drop feeders to my DCC common and hot power buss if necessary.
I can see no point to gapping all four rails, just those that lead from the frog.
John Timm
Most DC wiring in use is common rail wiring.
In DCC you need gaps in both rails to install, separate power sections. Other sections are needed for control of what ever you will use, such as signal control, transponder detection, braking sections, etc. If both rails are gaped then wired for DCC, it will be even easer later to install the wiring for these sections as they become needed.
Note: By NOT only gaping both rails you should also use a three line power feed buss under the layout, one Pos. one Neg. and one Common. Trouble shooting becomes a snap because of the inderpendent sectional wiring. And wiring anything new to the system becomes very easy if the three line buss is installed. ( Of cost this is extra money that I think is well spent.)