DCC Series (Part 17): Converting Hornby points to DCC

[practice264]

If you have Hornby or any make of points/switch with a big plastic frog then replace them. Use Peco or any make with metal rails running to the nose of the frog. Dead frog/insulfrog is OK as long as metal rails go to the nose. If they are welded to your layout and impossible to replace drill small holes and solder in dropper wires. As a last resort try the clips.

[ay76]

@practice264 Yep, that's why all my points are Peco electrofrog points, bar the double slip points. This video we did, to help awnser those who was asking on converting insulfrog type points like Hornby's. So as you say, go for the electrofrog type.

[ishan99b]

Thanks ay & KBRAIL for this video. What about when ballasting track around points with DCC Clips fitted, how do you go about this? Does ballast cause electrical interuption to the layout/points when DCC Clips are fitted?

[ay76]

You've already answered this question yourself, when you pm'd me. Re-read what you put in that question, as you actually put the awnser with in the question. Have a look at latest video of Bachmann Scotrail class 150 dmu, running on my layout. Both points are are ballasted either end of the bridge, points are both electrofrog. No probs so far!!

[ishan99b]

@ay76 As I said about 5 times in the previous PMs I really really dont see how ive answered it? Please please tell me !!!

[ay76]

As i've told you endless times, you've already typed the awnser!!

[bluecoatscheesypoofs]

question. I have Peco points and have two of them connecting my branch line and main line. I tried using staples to do what you have shown here, but when I plug in the power to my Hornby DCC, the screen just starts glitching when i throw the switch. Is this simply a problem with staples vs the Hornby clips? Would it work if I used the Hornby clips instead?

[ay76]

@bluecoatscheesypoofs Er..yes. For the sake of the low cost of Hornby's clips & risk of wrecking the controller, i'd use the Hornby clips & not the staples.

[bluecoatscheesypoofs]

@ay76 cool. Um so is that all i need to do with the Peco points to make them DCC friendly? One of them is an insulafrog and the other electrofrog

[ay76]

@bluecoatscheesypoofs For the electrofrog, wire that as per instructions supplied by Peco.

[bluecoatscheesypoofs]

@ay76 If I swaped the electrofrog out with another insulafrog, are the Hornby clips the only thing I would need to make the crossing DCC?

[ay76]

@bluecoatscheesypoofs What i'd do is swap over completely to electrofrog points, rather than use insulfrog points. You'll get much better running with electrofrog points. Other wise just convert the insulfrog points as shown.

[jakedcps]

PLEASE HELP!! I have a layout with 2 separate tracks, which are connected together by some points... Will i need to buy 2 of the DCC select controllers, 1 for each separate track or can i use the one controller for both tracks/ circuits? Thanks

[ay76]

One controller will do both tracks, or power a resonable sized layout. Suggest buying guide book, "Aspects of modelling DCC" from DCC Supplies (uk). Very useful guide, in starting out in DCC. Also check out Brian Lamberts DCC guide on the internet. Just about every thing you need to know is on there. Regards.

[codyd4noob]

because i want to now if there was a way to have different transformers on the controllers.

[ay76]

@codyd4noob Okay. The controllers should come supplied with the relevent transformer, in the country it's supplied to for sale. With the Hornby Elite & Select DCC controllers, they come with a separate plug in transformer.

[codyd4noob]

are you in usa or england

[ay76]

@codyd4noob Why do ask??

[Liverpoolfcfever]

Is it best to use eletrofog or insualfog

[ay76]

@Liverpoolfcfever Electrofrog.

[HSTHenry]

do you need to do this?

[ay76]

@HSTHenry Yes, unless your using electrofrog points.

[leeham991]

The simplicity is amazing.

It's really good to have this "complicated" stuff explained so well.

[ay76]

@leeham991 Thank you :-)

[JBofBrisbane]

This shows how to convert a power-routing turnout to non-power-routing, so that throwing the points does not cut out the route that isn't set. That isn't the same as an "electrofrog" turnout, where the whole frog and closure rails are electrically connected.

[ay76]

@JBofBrisbane Indeed. That's why i'm using Peco Electrofrog points, for much better running.

[MrDiscovery1267]

could i use staples instead or would i have to use the clips by hornby?

[ay76]

@MrDiscovery1267 Wouldn't like to say about using staples in case of damage, so suggest the proper hornby clips.

[kylewilliams1000]

why buy the clips

use a 'e' guitar string this is the same size and you could make loads out of it and its chaeper

[ay76]

@kylewilliams1000 Even better use electrofrog points instead. Like your idea though, cheers.

[kylewilliams1000]

@ay76 okay

[JamieJWSmith]

do you have to use those clips.... I know they provide power to the other part of the track, but can I run wires from my bus (underneath my track) and solder them directly to the new track. It will have the same effect.

[ay76]

@JamieJWSmith There is another way, which involves cutting the 2 wires on the underside of the point. Then soldering them to the outer rails (as shown in Model Rail (mag) DCC expert series DVD). You then will have to fit insulating rail joiners at the heel end of the points. So as you say, then connect to your power bus.

[JamieJWSmith]

@ay76 hmmm dont mind me saying but im new to this so i didnt understand that :3

[ay76]

@JamieJWSmith If you look on the under side of the points, you'll see two wires that cross over each other. You cut each wire at one end only, then bend each one to the outer rails of the points & solder to the outer rail. Easier to watch their video, than me typing here if you see what i mean. Other wise go for these clips & convert the points in a matter of seconds.

[JamieJWSmith]

@ay76 whos video?

[ay76]

@JamieJWSmith Go to Telerail dot co dot uk (website). Click on Telerail titles & scroll down till you see Model Rail DCC Expert (DVD). It's around £25. Check out Model Rail as it may be cheaper in their mag or at one of the model shows they attend. Cheers.

[trainzfan65]

would just normal staples work? if u straightened them out?

[ay76]

@trainzfan65 Possibly, but may foul the wheels as the train passes over. Would have to quite thin in thickness like Hornby's clips seen here.

[mongoosekid14]

do you hve to do this for dcc

[ay76]

@mongoosekid14 To get the best out of DCC, then making your points live is one of the things to do.

[ApacheBravo]

Thanks for this, Ive been wondering how to do it but never really looked in to it till I came across this by accident!!! I should be doing it soon if funds allow :) Great work :)

[ay76]

@ApacheBravo Your welcome, glad we could be of help.

[Galacticmaster]

thanks for that, so easy,

but the electropoints have advantages for a DC set,

since now trains can run all around the board - is this true i've never really tried, going to very soon though

[ay76]

@Galacticmaster Thank you. Go for the electrofrog points, they should come with instructions on how to fit & wire up (basic's). Much better running, & less chance of stalling if you use them. Give them ago, & let me know how you get on. Cheers.

[jmsschooner]

this means now they will not be cut out and be all the way live right

[ay76]

@jmsschooner Makes them live.

[sleepyrider]

As simple as that - thanks!

[ay76]

@sleepyrider Cheers.

[Fam2014Ch]

Thanks !!

[jmsschooner]

thanks so much

[ay76]

@jmsschooner Your welcome. Cheers.

[itgamer100]

nice vids can i ask you something , you see the engings that are dcc redey or fitted , do they come with the sound box and lights ?

[ay76]

No. Only the ones that Are DCC sound on board come with the sound decoders. Check out Hornby & also bachmann DCC section's on their website's for more details. Other wise alot of the loco's now come with the lights fitted & working on both DCC ready & DCC onboard. Cheers.

[itgamer100]

@ay76 thanks =)

[needsster]

Hi, like all the vid's, i just have one question. If you use a power bus system and have every siding connected to that bus, do you still need to install these bridging clips?

[ay76]

I would say yes. Cheers.

[Albear20]

So.. hang on... does this mean you only have to use 1 power clip for an oval with 4 to 7 rails and points with the clips on them?

[ay76]

For each set of points you use two hornby DCC point clips. For the power clip i'd use one for each oval. So you can have one power clip being feed from the controller, then take two wires off that power clip (PC) & run them to the next PC on the next oval & so on. Or go for the power bus. Cheers.

[Albear20]

Also whats better using electrofrog points or insulfrog with the clips on them and whats the difference?

[ay76]

Electrofrog points are the better option as the Vee part of the point isn't plastic like on the insulfrog type. So with electrofrog you get better running & less chance of the loco's stalling on the Vee of the points. Where as the insulfrog type are insulated on the Vee, which makes them great for train set type use & keeping the wiring simple. Given the choice i'd go for the electrofrog type points. Cheers.

[pyronathanpyro]

can i just ask do you put isolating clips in so that you can hook power to the main line and ur siding and then start the engine in the siding whilst the other is runing because the track would short sircuit if the point was swiched and it wouldent work

[ay76]

What these clips do, is to make things like sidings etc live. The point won't short circuit, unless you try running a loco over points set against it thus causing it to derail / short circuit. All my points on my layout are live Electrogfrog, like what you see here. I've had no problems at all.Cheers.

[pyronathanpyro]

thanks for that i understand now that it is so that you can have an engin in the siding with the lights on but with the points closed

[ay76]

Yes that's correct. Cheers.

[swdoffa]

I bayed a DCC hornby set... and there was that thing on ... but my biggest train stopped everytime then the front wheels goed on the plase on the black line thing... What do you think has happend?? if you dont understant i cen send a video clip of it....

[ay76]

Send me a video please, & i'll take a look. Need to have a good look at the point, the train in question, then with it running. Cheers.

[ashita100]

well i think the awkwatd ones are flying cotsman an my class 91 both are pretty ancient so will probly be hardest to convert

especially as scotsman has the motor in the tender

[IDOANYVIDS]

thanks i was having trouble with my pointwork on my dcc layout

[ay76]

Is it all working okay now Dean?? Cheers.

[WrongRoadRailways]

Looks easier than I expected! I was looking for a video like this, and was very pleased when this popped up in my 'Subscriptions' box!

[ay76]

Thank you, glad me & KBRail could help. Cheers.

[ashita100]

interesting

im onsidering a layout in the spare room

i currently have only one DCC loco

rest are dc

[ay76]

Thank you, what will be the next one to be converted to DCC?? Cheers.

[jaannetts16]

very good

[ay76]

Thank you, cheers.

[Javelin395]

Good one! I have those on all of my points! You've made me go and have a look making sure that every point has them! good vid btw!

[ay76]

Thank you, i'll pass on your message to KBRail. Cheers.

[TheLukei]

how do you do it with peco electrofrog

[ay76]

I think i've covered it in a earlier video. But will do another video on that later on.See the instruction sheet that comes with the electrofrog points for more details. Cheers.

[mecrazy5]

So, what where the points to begin with, electrofrog of insulfrog?

[ay76]

Insulfrog, look at the V of the points & you'll see that they are in plastic. The electrofrog's are metal In the V. Cheers.

[branchlinedisaster]

there a bit expensive for giant staples though lol

[ay76]

Around £2.50 I think per pack. Each pack will do 10 points. Cheers.

[willandscabbers]

wow! i need those clips to put on my tracks! great video! and i'm back to vegas now! and i got that new game, and my mom returned that battlefield 2 game, and is not working well. and my game is called history channel in the pacific game.

[ay76]

Thank you. These clips are for DCC Digital command control, for use with DCC controlers like the Hornby Elite & Hornby select. Don't fit these if you using normal DC controllers. Cheers.