power routing frogs

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Now for my second question: Anyone using Tortoise to power route frogs? If so, how? Or does anyone have any better ideas? Thanks.

2

The instructions that come with the Tortoise tells how to do it. Essentially you connect one of the 8 Tortoise contact points to your frog. #1 and #8 are for CD power, so you can use #2, #3 and #4 for power routing. I think 2 and 4 are for track power + and -, 3 gets wired to your frog. You can use the other set of open contacts to switch a lineside signal. If you wire bi-color red and green LEDs in series with the wire going to frog, you can get track color positioning indication that you can mount in a control panel or the layout fascia.

If you want to go the non-Tortoise route, you can use a SPDT slide switch. Power in on one end, power out on the other, the frog connected to the center stud. Connect the track switch to the slide switch with a metal connecting bar.

3

Posterboy - Kato has turnouts with switches which allow you to change the frog from powered to non-powered just by flipping the switch (all prewired inside turnout). But this is only available on their Unitrak which has roadbed built-in and I believe is incompatible with tortoise machines.

4

Here’s a wiring diagram from Tony’s:

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/tortoise/signal-wiring.htm

5

Not only the frogs but lights also. there is a Diagram from Tony’s that will show you how to use an LED without needing a resistor to protect it. I was NOT a big Tortise person but now I think that they are more than worth the over price they are.
If you want a REAL temptation look at the HARE II it is the way to go if you can swing the $29.95 times how many you need.
Take Care

6

I use the HARE, never tried it without a HARE. Very simple, Very Easy, I love the HARE. I agree it is a little pricey, but I am using them for the advanced features, so it is worth it to me.

7

Original Hare or the Hare II? I need 96 of them if I go that route. I have a digitraz DS52 for the crossovers but wa thinking about the Hair II fior the others.
Taker Care
George P.