- When a Frog Juicer is activated the LED’s change color and the turnouts seem to be functioning perfectly, but then an intermittent short circuit occurs that results in the DCC system shutting down. If the power to the Frog Juicer is disconnected the DCC system re-activates and when power to the Frog Juicer is re-connected it functions properly for a while, but then it fails again. Could the Frog Juicer be defective?
While the Frog Juicer may be defective, it is more likely to be a wiring or frog isolation problem. A simple test is to disconnect each frog from the Frog Juicer and re-test the functionality until the problem no longer occurs. This will narrow down the problem to a specific frog. Once you have found the frog that is causing the problem, swap the output of the problem frog with the output to a frog that is working correctly. If the problem disappears, then the Frog Juicer is likely at fault.
If the problem still occurs, then check to be sure that the frog is fully isolated.
Sometimes putting a 0.2 ohm, 1/2W resistor between the Frog Juicer and the frog will also solve problems. If you do not have a resistor, you can use a 24" (61cm) length of 30ga wire in place of the resistor.
- The Frog Juicer functions perfectly when running analog engines or non-sound decoder equipped engines, but there is a very slight "pop" sound when wheels bridge the isolation gap at the frog of a turnout for sound equipped engines, which is probably the sound of a short circuit. Is this caused by the higher current draw of sound decoders such as the Soundtraxx Tsunami and regular DSD decoders?
Possibly. Try placing a 0.2 ohm 1/2W resistor between the frog and the Frog Juicer. This should slow the current rush sufficiently to let the Frog Juicer react but not cause enough voltage drop to affect the locomotives or sound units.
- If some of the outputs of the Frog Juicer are used as an auto-reverser and other outputs are used to control frog power, will there be a problem with a multiple unit locomotive clearing the turnout before the reverse section is entered?
For example, there is a crossing on one end of a turnout and less than 12 inches from the other end of the same turnout to the isolation gaps for the reversing section. The crossing and the turnout are located within the reversing section, so it is possible for a multiple unit locomotive to start continuously switching polarity as it crosses the frog while in the auto-reversing section. Will this damage the Frog Juicer?
No. The Frog Juicer will not be harmed and will continue to work with no problems.
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