Control Frog And Track Polarity Without Shorts (282) @TheDCCGuy

Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

Some of the most popular methods for controlling frog and reverse loop polarity depend on the shorts created when loco wheels cross a gap that creates a short circuit. In this video I'll show you how you can handle both jobs without creating a short. So let's get at it.

But first some parts information
Relay Panasonic DS2Y-S-DC12V
If unavailable then any small DPDT relay of the desired rating and voltage will do. Possible sources include:
AllElectronics.com
Jameco.com
Digikey.com
Mouser.com

Clip leads HDTL-5 AllElectronics.com
Relay RLY-622 AllElectronics.com
T97 Automobile tail light bulb or any bulb 12VDC 1 amp or less available at auto parts stores

Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:24 Switch machine internals
5:18 Tortoise issues
7:34 Wiring switch machines to control relays
8:46 How relays work with reverse loops
10:00 Relay internals
12:37 Wiring a relay
16:18 iP Digitals for frog polarity and relays
18:27 Testing polarity
21:27 Wrapup

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