Ideas wanted / Ideas to give.

[kolov]

I recently solved a circuit problem with my K-Line Heavyweight with bayonet / bulb lighting. I have another problem that I will be trying to solve soon but before that I found two quick fixes that might be of interest.

I put a ring of yellow colored paper around the bulbs to give a nice golden cast to the lighting instead of the harsh white light.

I found that a multi purpose plastic tie can be a quick fix to a loose knuckle coupler. (You know those little plastic things that loop through themselves and can't be undone.)

OK here is the problem that I'd like to field some ideas on.

The solder connections to the pickups only last so long before they come loose. I solved one problem by getting very small screws and using small ring connecters for the center connections but could not use them on the outside connections.

Has anyone found a good way to rework the pickups on these older passenger cars? Any ideas?

[thor]

Clean the pickup strip with acetone, resolder the wire back on and add a drop of epoxy to secure it

[wrmcclellan]

Hi Kolov,

Is the wire breaking or is the solder joint coming loose?

[kolov]

I tried the epoxy glue and it gave some sucess.
I see the problem in the design of the pickups.
There is little room to work with even when using 24 gauge wire and they way the wire reach the wheels and the pickups subjects them to unneccesary moving which over time causing the solder to give way or the wire to break.
My thoughts are to drill a new hole in the chassis or replace the metal peg and washer that fastens the truck to the cassis with something hollow. Either scenario would minimize wire movement. These heavyweights can navigate 0-31 curves but I'm pretty sure that is what causes the wire problems.
The other idea is one I have seen on some public layouts and that it to have only two or three pickup connected and then run wires between the cars with heat shrinked tubes to make them look like hoses.