Option 4: Frog juicers

DCC users can take advantage of ‘frog juicers’ that electronically detect a short circuit as rolling stock passes over and automatically alter the polarity to suit. There are versions with solid state switching – such as the Tam Valley Hex Juicer – or the Gaugemaster DCC80 Autofrog that uses a relay to switch the frog polarity. ‘Frog juicers’ simplify the installation of a frog with no requirement for a mechanically operated switch but they aren’t interlocked with the points. If you approach from the trailing end, the polarity may change even though the point is set for the other route. Not only could this cause a derailment but there is also the potential long-term effect of small but regular shorts causing pitting of the wheel and rail surfaces.