HO scale Kadee electromagnetic uncouplers

ddechamp71 May 17, 2010

  1. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Hi folks.

    That's not a mistake. This is what I tried with those on my in-progress Z scale layout:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    The recommended power is 16V/3 Amp. Mine gives 15V/3.8 Amp. I checked the power with a voltmeter, the juice goes to the magnet.

    However, I've not the slightest result when I try to uncouple my MTL cars on that track.

    Any idea to share here?

    Dom
     
  2. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    Magnet is mounted too low and the force on the track is mostly pulling down. Those metal plates have to be up to the level of the rails. In HO they are actually inside the rails and level with the track head.

    You would get better results with the HO rare earth magnet and plate on a hinge that you pull up under the road bed when you want to uncouple.

    cheerz Garth
     
  3. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    The metal poles should touch the bottom of the sleepers and try to get the poles close to the rail. Check the picture on my home page. I have used #307 (N, HOe), which are discontinued. ...It just works as shown in the video. Currently I feed the magnets with the auxilary output of a Märklin Z scal transformer.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Dom,

    I guess that the poles of my magnets are approximate 8 mm appart, just outside the rails but directly underneath the ties. (flush with the cork road bed).
    I have not yet seen these HO magnest for real. Kadee, claims that the hardware is identical as used with #307, just different assembled. Try to assemble the unit such that the poles point to each other.

    Hope this helps, since it realy is fun to do switching this way!
     
  5. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the input guys.:tb-wink: However, I'm beginning to reach Garth's idea: I think one of these days I'll go to a remote controlled model plane store of my knowledge in order to purchase hinges and I'll work on a hinged magnet, because I'm definitly reluctant to all that deals with electricity (Not easy with our hobby, isn't it?:tb-sad: ).

    Just a question to you Garth: even if I use a very thin hinge the result will have to be a magnet set slightly lower than it should be, had I put it directly under the track as it has to be. No problem anyway, or should I use a N scale magnet for better efficiency?

    Dom
     
  6. Garth-H

    Garth-H TrainBoard Supporter

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    I use a piece of aircraft plywood skin under the roadbed track to cover the hole in the roadbed for the magnet and the magnet comes up tight against the underside of the thin plywood. The hinge is on the metal backing plate of the rare earth magnet and is plastic again from model aircraft parts and the other end of the hinge is screwed into the bottom of the plywood roadbed. I drilled a hole in the other end of the plate from the hinge and connect a wire fishing leader which runs through a metal eye and to monofilament line then to a set of screws on the facia showing raised and lower positions of the magnet and I use a yard limit sign and Whistle sign to delineate the working sector of the magnet under the track.

    The HO scale magnet puts the two poles well out from the edge of the track so you get a good pull to the side at track level. Narrower magnets would have to inlaid in the tie bed to work. The plate under the magnet forms a nice loop of magnetic force just above the track level sot he couplers will react well.

    cheerz Garth
     
  7. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the input Garth. However, I sent you a private message.
    Best,
    Dom
     
  8. Cleantex

    Cleantex TrainBoard Member

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    What's about Kadee 380-708 HOn3 ?
    Somebody tried it out, it should not be lot larger as N Scale.
     
  9. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Dear all,

    I tried to make an illustration how I build in the Kadee #307. As far as I understood from Kadee the HO #309 can be converted into a HOn3 #307, which can be used for Z scale. Please have a look at attached PDF file.

    I just connect the magnets to the auxillary output of a Märklin Miniclub transformer and operate them with a spring toggle switch.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited by a moderator: May 20, 2010
  10. ddechamp71

    ddechamp71 TrainBoard Member

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    Hi folks, I'm just reopening this thread as the advices ZFRANK kindly gave me in another forum give good results. I simply removed the two external plates from the #309 Kadee HO electromagnet uncoupler. Furthermore I set the capacitor in the wiring as recommended to boost electrical power as my power supply shows a voltage lower than recommended (15 V iso 16 to 18 V).

    [​IMG]

    Now that works fine. Videos would be following in a while.:tb-wink: (I'm just still needing to continue my paint work on ties...)

    Dom
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Nov 25, 2010
  11. ZFRANK

    ZFRANK TrainBoard Member

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    Good job Dom, I knew we would get it working! :w20z6q:
     

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