Powering Fast Tracks turnouts

[Rscott417]

I never had the patience for hand laying track (especially turnouts) and found a few fast tracks turnouts on ebay. They came with a wire already soldered to the bottom of the rails but I have no idea where to connect it, to any track feed?

[faraway]

Looks like it is connected to the frog. You need to connect it to a contact operated by the switch machine to get right polarization of the frog depending on the route of the switch. This http://www.ho-ptit-train.be/html_en/cablage_02_en.html might be helpful.

[e-paw]

Check out my thread here .>>> <!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://bigbluetrains.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=6819">viewtopic.php?f=37&t=6819</a><!-- l -->
I talk about my method for doing just what your after...

[Rscott417]

Crap, that might as well be written in chinese. I'll try to stick to dcc friendly switches, thanks for the help Reinhard.
E-paw your track looks flawless, great job. I'd like to stick with manual turnouts so I guess I should have done the research first.

[Genetk44]

Ok...its really not that hard...lets start with what are you using to throw the points? Are you useing a manual control like a Caboose ground throw? or an electric one like a tortoise? Once we know that it becomes a lot easier to help you.

[Rscott417]

I was looking to use the Bull Frog turnout controls. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.handlaidtrack.com/BullFrog-Manual-Turnout-Control-s/2087.htm">http://www.handlaidtrack.com/BullFrog-M ... s/2087.htm</a><!-- m -->

[BR60103]

Perfect. The Bullfrog comes with a switch that you build in.
(Brief pause while I look at the one I installed.)
The tab at one end of the switch goes to the frog wire. The other 2 tabs are connected to the running rails -- any convenient place but possibly not on the turnout itself (unless there are space reasons). I tend to solder 3 wires to the switch and 3 other wires to the track and twist the ends together or use alligator clips to test that I have then right.

(There are only 6 combinations of wires to rails).

[Rscott417]

I just watched the Bull Frog video on their website, they make it seem pretty easy to power the frog. I guess it doesn't matter which track feed I choose (positive or negative) as long as they're all the same right?

[faraway]

I just watched the Bull Frog video on their website, they make it seem pretty easy to power the frog. I guess it doesn't matter which track feed I choose (positive or negative) as long as they're all the same right?

The frog is part of the upper rail when you go straight and part of the lower rail when you diverge. That is what the electric switch has to do with the wire attached to the frog. Connecting it either with the lower or upper rail depending on the position of the turn out. Keep on asking or make a little test with the switch, three connected tracks and hold the wire to the upper or lower track and run an engine over the turnout. You will quickly understand what is right and what is wrong.

[Rscott417]

I think I understand what you mean, ill have to order one and try it out. Thanks for the help.

[Rscott417]

I found this helpful diagram on their website (page 8) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.handlaidtrack.com/v/vspfiles/documents/ug22.pdf">http://www.handlaidtrack.com/v/vspfiles ... s/ug22.pdf</a><!-- m -->

[faraway]

I found this helpful diagram on their website (page 8) <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.handlaidtrack.com/v/vspfiles/documents/ug22.pdf">http://www.handlaidtrack.com/v/vspfiles ... s/ug22.pdf</a><!-- m -->

Yes. the diagram and the explanation on page 8 is what it is all about. You connect the frog via the electric switch either to rail a or rail b depending on the position of the turnout.