When is a Frog Juicer *Needed*

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Greeting all -

I am doing my ‘due diligence’ on DCC and such, and watching the MRVP DCC videos I see the Frog Juicer introduced. I know enough to know this isn’t a new health drink craze (Monday humor), but my question is: in what circumstances do these need to be added to a DCC layout / switch area? And I emphasize need versus something that is just nice to have.

Thanks in advance for your input and tutelage! :slight_smile:

Brad

2

A Frog Juicer is a way to power frogs without needing a mechanical “switch”.

They are not “required”.

If you do not want your frogs powered then its not needed. If you do want your frogs powered and use some other means to route power to the frogs, then they aren’t needed.

If you have a large layout it can be a rather expensive way to power frogs. The advantage is simplicity, just a few wires to connect.

3

Details.

http://www.dccwiki.com/Frog_Juicer

Rich

4

Hey Brad

Then you probably know bullfrog snot isn’t what it sounds like, either.

Robert

5

When is it NEEDED? See the CNJ Bronx Terminal layout by Tim Warris of Fast Tracks. When the junctions are that complicated, you need a frog juicer.

Otherwise you can just use switch machine contacts to power the frog. If you want powered frogs but all manual throws, that’s the other case where you’d need a Frog Juicer.

–Randy

6

Brad, if you have short wheelbase locos that stall at slow speeds on the frog of a turnout, the stall can be eliminated by powering the frog…if it is metal.

That is the purpose of a Frog Juicer…to power a metal frog.

Rich

7

Thanks, Rich and company! It sounds optional unless you are having “continuous power across the frog” issues. I’ll keep it in mind and see how things go as I get the track wired and running…maybe this weekend.

Brad