Am planning to use a PECO code 100 insulfrog double slip switch on my layout, using DCC. Would appreciate recommendations as to the number of feeders I should have from my main power bus, to the slip switch.
Thanks in advance.
Richard
Is the switch going to be completely isolated (gapped) and stand alone? If so, then you’ll need feeders of the appropriate polarity on both outer stock rails, and then at all four inner stock rails outside of the frog gap. That should suffice if power is properly routed by the points.
Alternatively, you can power the adjoining tangent rails if they will be mechanically joined to one end of the DS turnout in such a way as to power the one end of the turnout. The other end should probably be gapped from oncoming yard tracks that terminate at their other ends in a turnout if they are mechanically joined to power those turnout ends. If that is the case, you will only need two feeders for the inner stock rails at that end.
When I wired a large club layout with a Peco Insulfrog code 100 double-slip switch, I used regular metal rail joiners for all the rails on one end, and insulated all of the rails on the other end. We run our layout on either DC block control or on DCC, and have never had a problem.
If their double slips are “wired” the same as a normal insulfrog turnout, then for electrical purposes one can think of it as a crossing. Two sets of feeders should work. One set to each of the ends on the same (narrow) side.
To clarify my planned useage, I will use the dbl slip as a x’ing between 2 main lines, with the ability to have a train to continue on its original line (no x’over).
So put the power to both main lines and it should be good to go. Just make certain the same “polarity” of power gets applied to the rails that have the departing rail on them. In fact now that I think about it, one set of feeders will work. Put one side of the power to each of the diverging rails and the rest should take care of itself.
To all who replied - thanks for ur input - electrical wiring is NOT my strong suit, so need all help I can get.