I am building layout using Walthers code 83 turnouts with Tortoise motors and intend to go DCC. When I started I got regular turnouts. Now Walthers has DCC turnouts and I have some of them. What does a DCC turnout do that a regular one doesn’t. Does it matter that I have some of each? Do I have to do something with the reglular ones now? Also I intend to use Peco code 100 turnouts operated by hand for a small portion of the layout, what is the difference between insul frog and electro frog when using DCC? I have not hooked up any DCC yet to see for myself. Thanks
The wiring of the frog is probably going to be the only difference between a regular turnout and one that claims to be a DCC turnout. At the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club’s HO-scale layout, we use both Atlas and Peco Insulfrog turnouts and have had no problems with either one as far as DCC is concerned – they all work good on both DC and DCC. Walthers claim may be more advertising hype than reality.
unless it’s a turnout that comes with a decoder for the switch machine?? beyond that I don’t see what the big deal is.
I use atlas insulated and non insulated turnouts and eveything seems to be just fine I just wired it just like it said on the back (including the ones that use relays to change the polarity on the frog)
The new Walthers turnouts (DCC friendly they call them) come with the frog insulated, same as Atlas.