David installs a Digitrax Evolution Express command system on our State Line Route layout. Follow along as David guides you from installing the universal panels to modifying a throttle pocket to watching trains run on the N scale layout!
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David:
I love your video series. But doesn’t the Tam Valley dual frog juicer have a jumper to pair two turnouts together?
I use SMAILs instead of Tortoises. SMAILs are DCC-capable versions of Tortoises, i.e., they have DCC decoders, so you power them using a DCC bus. I use a dedicated bus for the SMAILs, but you could use the track-power bus. (The disadvantage of using the track-power bus is that if you have a short, the circuit breaker will cut the power to the track and the SMAILs, making it more difficult to correct the short. For example, the short might be due to a misoriented turnout.) The advantage of using SMAILs is that you don’t need things like Frog Juicers. I haven’t done a detailed analysis of the cost benefits, but they are easier to install. I’m surprised that you guys haven’t used SMAILs on your project railroads. I’d be interested in your assessment in the advantages and disadvantages (for cost, installation, and operations).
Since these turnouts are moved by Tortoise machines, you can wire the frog using the contacts on the Tortoise to control frog power. If the Turtle is no longer available, a simple 12v DC power supply and a DPDT reversing toggle can throw the points. If you really want the turnout position to show on a panel, the other set of contacts on the Tortoise can light a pair of LEDs above the toggle or on a track diagram.
I was thinking the same thing. No need to spend more to get a frog juicer when the tortoise already has contacts on it to provide frog power.
It’s much easier to hook the cables to the UP5 panels before attaching them to the fascia. Then you don’t have to connect them under the layout bench work. Also it’s better to have the command station near the edge of the layout. Then you don’t have to crawl under the bench work to change a switch setting.
I like to drill extra holes in the Tortoise contacts if I need to solder more than one wire to the contact.
I have used the Tam Valley frog juicer and it has been working very well indeed. This is especially important for me as I have built a switching layout which involves a lot of slow speed running through turnouts
Are you aware many Tam Valley Depot products are no longer in production? That includes the Turtle and fascia controller.