Insulated frog points.

[Nine Elms]

Good afternoon, All.

I have been reading a few of the earlier links regarding points and droppers for DCC. I have read Brian L's explanation regarding this subject and am still a little confused. My confusion is: Do I need four wires, two red & two black for each set of points from the Bus? That is to say two before the point mechanism and two after the Vee? Sorry not sure of the terminology of the various parts of the point.

Hope this makes sense!!

John

[Bandit Mick]

See the section ‘All wiring and electrical’ and my question ‘points and droppers’ which Brian kindly answered for me. Only two wires needed, one for each outer stock rail. Just make sure all positive wires join to the same bus wire and all negative wires join to the other bus wire. I put my droppers on the stock rails nearest where the point can be set with the tie bar switch thingy. I am using insulfrog points and dcc control. Hope this helps you. Someone may come along later with a better explanation so you could wait and see what they say.

[Brian]

Hi
With Insulated points and DCC the issue is that you need to ensure both directions from the point are live regardless of the point blades position (route set/not set).

Therefore for the very best electrical performance through the point and beyond its correct to add droppers to the points outer stock rails and then additional droppers onto the two rails leading away from the frog - two droppers of opposite polarity ensuring the correct polarity is observed.
The alternative is to solder two link wires underneath the point, each one linking the outer stock rail to the adjacent closure rail.
So all tracks leading away from the point are live allowing locos to move, sounds to operate and lights to work regardless of the points position

[Bandit Mick]

Sorry John, I forgot to say - I also put droppers on every piece of track regardless of size. No relying on fishplates/ rail joiners. I ensured that all track including points was absolutely flat. I use dcc and short Peco insulfrog points and can get an 0-4-0 Hornby Peckett to crawl through on the lowest speed setting. I think the care I took with track laying has paid off.

[Nine Elms]

Thank you, there is some useful advice there.
Happy holiday.

John