Atlas0 Frog Wiring

I have read that the internal wire is not reliable so I solder a feeder directly to the frog and make sure that the frog is insulated from the other rails.

Also, I consider the Atlas switches so unprototypical that I use them only for hidden track.

Ed

Thanks Ed,

Do you use a special solder for the frog?  I have had difficulty getting solder to stick.

George

George,

I use regular 60/40 solder.  I rough the frog where I will solder with a little sandpaper and then I use a soldering gun rated at 240/320 watts.  The frog is a huge heat sink.  A 40 watt iron won't put out enough heat to do the job. 

Hope this helps.

Ed

Frog power 101:

   (Click on thumbnail for a better viewing)

Tom,

Thanks for the picture and info.  I never would have thought of it. 

George

Dave, have you considered just replacing the Atlas 7.5+ Atlas frog with a ROW #8?

Lining them up it looks like the Atlas frog is a very close cousin to Lou's #8

Also,  as in a photo I have posted much earlier, replacing the Atlas over sized guard rails with a massaged pair of ROW guards plus taking a Dremel to the over sized Atlas frog makes a big difference.

Photo shows one new pair of Atlas #7.5 turnouts:

Mike,

Thanks for the info.  I already have 9 Atlas turnouts in place  so it would be somewhat expensive to replace them.  I am trying to avoid removing them to re-wire.  I am currently considering drilling and tapping the frog.  I have 34 older Rocco turnouts that have been converted by soldering the metal insert to the frog.  I use tortoise and hare accessory switches to power the frog.  Most of my motive power runs okay but I have had trouble with my FP45 units with C trucks.

George

George,

Is that FP45 powered only by one of the trucks? Do both sets of trucks have electrical pickup for pos and neg ???

Mike,

I have four U S Hobbies FP45's.  All were purchased used.  All have problems.  I have had three wired for DCC and sound by Tonys Train Xchange.  Currently one unit runs well on all turnouts.  Another unit stalls on every frog (the reason for juicers).  A third unit has lost its memory and I can't re-program it.  The fourth unit has a dead short somewhere in it.

At least one unit has had bearings removed because the wheels spin.  Another problem with the units is the motor.  The units with can motors are okay.  The units with old heavy duty motors draw excessive current.  The bottom line is these babies  have problems. It's too bad I like that particular model.  Sorry for the long answer to a short question.

George

George,

Definitely sounds like a tough spot without rebuilding those units.  Certainly the frog juicers will help all around, not just for the one unit that stalls on the frogs.  Which decoders did TTX install in the units?  Did they install multiple decoders? Often keep alive options are available more so for dirty track conditions.

In terms of the 3rd unit, does it still operate even though you can't reprogram it?  If there are multiple decoders in the unit, perhaps advanced consisted together, if you could get to the individual decoder addresses and program on the main you could make the changes you want?  Otherwise, might have to open it up and see what you have?

The 4th unit sounds like it needs to be broken down from the trucks upward to see where the short resides.   Many older brass locomotives have issues with the sideframes, truck blocks and connections to the frame. 

Dave trimming the  over sized Atlas frog and trimming back the Atlas guards only takes 20 minutes to a half hour.  Something to consider if you are stuck with the Atlas switches.

I only did that when Atlas was all I knew.  Life is too short to waste it fixing manufacture"s gross errors.

Starting from scratch I would go with the custom switch manufactures.  They make building in O scale easy.

Mike,

Your suggestions are always welcome.  One FP45 runs good everywhere on the layout.  A second unit will run properly with frog juicers.  The third unit will go back to Tonys for a checkup (it also runs extremely slow).  The fourth unit will eventually go to Tonys to be DCC and sound equipped.  At that time they will have to solve the shorting problem.  The biggest problem with Tonys is that it takes forever to get units worked on.  I like their installations and they are close by my home.  However, I am at an age where time matters (76) and I want to enjoy the trains before I join my ancestors.

George

George,

Excellent points.  Would double check with TTX on the decoder installs, will make for easier troubleshooting, and possible forum assistance going forward.  Maybe allow you to enjoy the trains more, faster!!! LOL!

Certainly understand your view...

Doesn't matter if your young or old, we should be getting the most out of this life everyday.