Help!

[AustralianLMS]

I have just complicated my wiring because I introduced a crossing into my plan.

I have drawn a rough diagram (attached) to try and figure out all the options.

If the two points are straight / straight then the Xing does not come into play.

If one of the points is turned then the crossing frogs (and point frog) need to be wired accordingly.

However if both points are turned then there will be a frog short.

What do I do?

[Brian]

Hi
Your SLExxx points need Insulated Rail Joiners(IRJs) fitting to their Vee rail ends as shown in your drawing I've modified. A minimum of three IRJs are needed. This assumes there is no rail feed connected onto the straight lower track item SL100F. Then extra rail feeds are installed as needed after the diamond crossing and leading into each SLExxx point.

[AustralianLMS]

Thanks for your reply Brian .... I have modified my diagram. I understood that I needed an insulated joiner where the red or black (was green) rails connected to the frogs (in yellow).

My question is more related to the problem of wiring the xing frogs when connected to the two points. If I connect the xing frogs to the appropriate point switch rails. If the point directions are selected in the wrong combination there will be a short. How do I overcome this. This would be a very hard thing to remember during operation.

ie ..... If point A is switched to curve then point B MUST be switched to straight, other wise there will be a short. (I think I have that right)

I was planning to manually switch points, Do I need to connect them manually so a short does not occur?

I will make another diagram and explain in a bit more detail tomorrow.

[AustralianLMS]

Sorry for my messy diagrams. I hope this explains the problem better.

How do I make sure I do not have both points switched to the curves at the same time? This will cause a short.

[Brian]

The diamond crossing shown (SL-193) is an Insulated frog crossing. It does not have any live frog wiring! It will self resolve all feeding in either direction.

[AustralianLMS]

Yes but the diamond crossing I have in my hand is an electro frog version.

The layout design program did not have the electrofrog version in the catalog. I used this one because the geometry is the same.

I also want to be running an 0 4 0 slow over it.

[AustralianLMS]

So answering my own question:

Both points are to be set straight as the default setting, with only one point set on the curve at a time.

Is there a wiring safety method to prevent shorts if I make an error and set both points on the curve together?

Or is there another way?

[Ron S]

Turnouts by solenoids, etc can be electrically interlocked so once you set one path thru the diamond, the other turnout motor is isolated.
Manual operation & using a slide switch with wire in tube, then the slide switch contacts can do the frog switching.

[Brian]

Question... Is the layout DCC (Digital) or DC (Analogue) controlled?
Also what is being used to operate the points? e.g. Solenoid motors - Peco PL10 etc or Stall motors - DCC Concepts Cobalt or Tortoise etc. Or non motorised and moved by Wire In Tube (WIT) or just by finger??

To control the Diamond frogs and the frog leading in point fit a DPDT switch to each point motor. e.g. Peco PL10 with PL15 switches fitted. Then the other half of each PL15 contacts used to stop the opposite end motor being fed when the first motor is reversed and opposite for the other ends motor.

If using Cobalt ip or Tortoise they should have DPDT switches pre fitted.

[AustralianLMS]

Analog ..... But I could consider DCC in the future.

Points operated by music wire with micro switches attached. I could change to point motors if I need to, but I wanted to keep it cheap and simple. Ha ha, thats not happening is it.