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+--- Thread: Isolating gaps after turnouts (/showthread.php?tid=775)
Isolating gaps after turnouts - upnick - 02-17-2009
Hi All,
I normally use feed the toe of a turnout with power from the bus use ....... isolating joiners on all four roads coming out and add four droppers after the isulating joiners.
If i leave a gap between the end of the turnout and the following lines would this be sufficient to isolate the turnout rather then use isolating joiners still wiring as above ? the HO joiners are a little obtrusive if it would work this way i would prefer it.
Many thanks
Re: Isolating gaps after turnouts - LynnB - 02-17-2009
Sure it would work , you would just need to fill the gap with I believe epoxy or something non conductive.
Re: Isolating gaps after turnouts - Steamtrains - 02-17-2009
Hi...If I understand you correctly, you are looking to completely isolate all 6 "contact points" of the turnout..??
I fail to see the need for this. What type of turnout are you using...electrofrog, or insulfrog..? If insulfrog, you don't need ANY gaps anywhere - they're built into the turnout (you should power the frog with the proper polarity depending on the route lined up). If electrofrog, you need only insulate the two rails coming off the frog, and put feeders on the two isolated rails. The rail joiners not only perform the function of isolating the rails, they also keep them lined up, preventing (or minimizing) the possibility of a derailment caused by the rail not being well aligned. If you paint your rails, the joiners are barely noticeable.
Just my thoughts....
Re: Isolating gaps after turnouts - BR60103 - 02-17-2009
upNick:
If you just leave a gap there is great likelihood that the rail will shift to fill it. A solid piece of insulating material is needed -- a piece of strip wood or a flat toothpick glued in place (and carved down to rail profile). For security, drill a hole in the roadbed and push it in first.
You should only need insulation in the 2 rails that come from the frog. You can even skip that if the rail leads to a dead end siding or the the of another turnout.
Re: Isolating gaps after turnouts - nomad - 02-18-2009
Dr Wayne gave me this idea. Use the plastic clips that come on bread bags and such. Cut it roughly to size, super glue it between the rails ends and trim it to fit. When you weather the rail it will be painted to.
Loren
Re: Isolating gaps after turnouts - upnick - 02-18-2009
Hi Guys,
Many thanks for the replies i thought it would work ok ...... yes i am going to fill the gaps and weather the rails
**Steamtrains ** the only insulating roads will be the ones coming out of the turnout 4 in total of course the other two inroads are powered from bus/droppers.