I have several Shinohara dual gauge switches(ho/hon3) that are thrown by tortoise switch machines. Power is conducted by the points, not very reliable. I would like to power the frogs using the tortoise and connect the stock rail to the switch rail. Does anyone know how to do this? Where do I gap the rails,since there are 3 frogs do I have to have drop from each frog? Jim
I’m bumping this back up. If you get no replies, change the title using the edit fuction to “powering frogs on Shinohara turnouts.” You might get more replies if you do.
Hi James,
I have one of these in “dcc friendly”. I have not yet installrd the tortoises but I did drop a feeder from each frog. I also dropped feeders from each independent rail section. Probably overkill but good insurance for the future. I did accidentally create one short with a particular combo of point positions. Fixed it by cutting a gap with a dremel. I don’t remember which rail it was but I “think” it was in the middle exit track.
You can interconnect rails on the underside or drop feeders like I did. Points can be powered through a very flexible wire from stock rails.
If your TO is old style let us know. It shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out the gapping.
Also see http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm for great info.
Karl