Is it true that you'll get wheel pitting problems when using insulated rails for accessories?

I've recently started using insulated sections more frequently and you definitely will get a couple of small sparks as the last one or two axles leave the section and carry the full electrical load of whatever you are controlling.  Whether it will pit the wheels over time, though, I don't have enough experience to say.  I get lots of sparks wherever I run older PW motive power (such as my #50 and #2037) and they don't seem to pit...

You will need to clean the track and train wheels regularly, and make sure that you use a piece of track that has it plating in good condition and you will be fine.

The electrical arc will remove small pieces of metal, some so small you cannot see them. The trick is to reduce the oxidation layer either on the wheels or on the track. This will reduce or eliminate the spark created from turning the accessory on.

If you have any accessories that draw significant power, consider a low current relay module between the accessory and the switch rail.  A circuit like this with a low current 12V relay will minimize the amount of power flowing through the wheels and hence the pitting.  I select the resistor to be large enough to minimize the inrush current to the filter cap.

I have non-derailing switches all over my layout and they have insulated outside rails. I also have insulated outside rails for signals. No problems. How much pitting is this guy speaking of? Plus SG wheels are cheap and easily replaced. 

GRJ, I see you've included a choke.  Do you think a relay would affect the DCS signal, or is this just a precaution?

For less than 5 cents, I put a choke on anything that has a capacitor across the rails, that way I'm sure I'm not affecting the DCS signal.

I use LTV-844 optocouplers to switch low power (5v) DC relays - no sparking because there is virtually no current (50mA if I recall) going through the tracks. You can also add some fancyness to smooth the signal so that slightly dirty track won't cause "jitter".

I use relays with a 20ma coil current.

For less than 5 cents, I put a choke on anything that has a capacitor across the rails, that way I'm sure I'm not affecting the DCS signal.

Spendthrift!

Actually, with a properly-wired non-derailing switch, the big spark, the break, should not be occurring on the rail, but at the switch motor.  For example, look at Lionel 022 switches or Z1000 motors.

RJR posted:

Actually, with a properly-wired non-derailing switch, the big spark, the break, should not be occurring on the rail, but at the switch motor.  For example, look at Lionel 022 switches or Z1000 motors.

I do not understand. On a non-derailing switch it is the wheels that make the circuit.

I think the root cause of any pitting would be dirty track and dirty wheels. With clean wheels and track there should be no pitting when using insulated outside rails.

Been doing it for years and no pits in anything.

Im with jdaddy here, any electrical flow, with makes or breaks in a circuit , can take some metal with it.

I think the micro pits would be slightly more noticable on wheels that are polished or stainless, but youd still need a magnifying glass, or more likely a microscope,  for seeing the pits most loads would cause. Sort the like dirty track causes though.

Talk about  fretting over little stuff. Ie, He is right, but youd be lucky to notice any within your lifetime unless you have a few amps of load. Use a relay of some kind if your worried.

Wearing his wheels out, lol, thats groovy ....