Please Help A Dumb Newbee

Hi,

I just completed a layout with an inner and outer loop, using 4 Bachmann EZ Track turnouts. Two turnouts, both on the outer loop, work OK in both directions with the switch box supplied with the turnouts. The two on the inner loop only work in one direction. The switch boxes are OK; the problem follows the turnouts.

My questions:

Does the problem have anything to do with the inner loop? The loco runs fine on both loops.

Do I have two defective turnouts?

What on earth are they talking about "Polarizing of the frog"? I just do not understand it. Let me quote from the little piece of paper wrapped around one of the cables. "Polarizing of the frog. The turnouts are not polarized when delivered to avoid short circuits. If necessary (eg. Running a small locomotive), you can plug the connector to the turnout to polarize it. Warning! The turnout setting must always be correct for the direction from which the turnout is entered to avoid short circuits." I'm not a stupid person, but what does all that mean?

Thanks in advance for any enlightenment.

John

Reply to
John Simpson
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Some kind of silly translation problem. They mean 'energizing' the frog. Most cheap turnouts use plastic (insulated) frogs, since the frog is both the left and right rails (depending on where the points are). Better quality turnouts have a separately 'powered' metal frog.

It means there is a connection to power the frogs, but that the power you use needs to be switched based on the point position -- either powered from a switch or (better) relay energized by (or in parallel to) the turnout motor or by wiring the frog connection to the points themselves, if you are sure that the points will make good contact with the rails they 'snap' against. If you run mostly (only?) longer locomotives, you can leave the frog unpowered, since a longer locomotive will have enough power pickups spaced far enough apart to not mind one wheel riding on an unpowered frog. Short locomotives, however need to frog to be powered or they might 'stall' on the turnout due to lack of live power pickups.

Reply to
Robert Heller

Thanks. I think I understand it now after looking at the underside of the turnout.

John

Reply to
John Simpson

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