Alumninum Foil

[cnw1995]

I stumbled across a neat short article I had initially overlooked in the Dec. CTT that shows how to use thin metal and electrical tape to create a activating track on track that cannot be easily pulled up and isolated. It got me wondering whether I could substitute Reynolds Wrap or some other alumninum foil for the thin brass - do you think it conducts electricity? I don't think I could solder to it but I have some neat electrically conductive tape.... hmmm.

It got me thinking about revisiting my disasterous attempt to isolate a huge section of track for working crossing lights using duct tape.

[lionelsoni]

Aluminum is a very good conductor, nearly as good as copper. It is very hard to solder to. You might do better clamping it to the wire. For example, you could try leaving a pigtail of foil for the connection, punch a hole in it for a screw, with a washer on each side of the foil, the wire around the screw head, a split-ring lockwasher to keep the clamping force on the aluminum (it cold-flows), and a nut to pull it all together.

[marxalot]

While electrically aluminum could do the job I kind of wonder
about the durability of foil............ seems it would be easily
subject to damage.

Jim

[Roger Bielen]

While looking through a multi-hobby shop some time back I came across a copper electrical tape in the doll house section. Didn't buy it because it was part of a lighting kit, 1/2" scale. Tried ordering some but it never came in.

[marxalot]

If you would consider brass them take a look at K&S in Walthers. They have brass strips in the .025" by 1/2" by 12" size for less than a dollar and a host of others......... actually I think you'd be better off going this route than foil...

Jim

[Anonymous]

You can also get adheasive backed copper foil in rolls and sheets at stained glass shops.

[ChiefEagles]

Wow, chuckn has a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[trigtrax]

I believe what you describe was initially produced by Marx ( at least I got them with a Marx Banjo Signal ) These were thin brass strips with a wire soldered to them. They were flocked on the inside and formed to snap over the outer rail. As the train wheels hit them they become grounded and activate the signal.

Funny how things worked then... We didn't need Hall effect sensors or infrared light beam interrupters. A simple strip of metal and it still works today...[^]

[pbjwilson]

Roger had mentioned using dollhouse electrical tape to make an insulated track like that in the Dec. issue. I tried it today and it works great.

Dollhouse tape is self adhesive. You cut a section to length, press it on the track, peal off the protective tape, and thats it. I even used it to make a solderless conection to the track.

Take a look -

[overall]

Paul, where did you get your dollhouse eletrical tape? I know Hobby Lobby has doll house supplies. Could I possibly get it there? What is the brand name? Is it actually known as "dollhouse electrical tape"? Could you post a picture of the products packaging so we would know what to look for?

Thanks,

George

[Anonymous]

Stuff is found with the lighting supplies for doll houses. Product is used to run a pair of parallel copper foil strips under doll house wallpaper or paint. The light fixture plugs are "self tapping".

You can also get self adheasive copper foil in various widths at stained glass supply shups. They even cary the foil in sheets that you can cut down to size. Copper foils also has the advantage of being solderable. Aluminum foil can't.

http://www.oakridgehobbies.com/121_scale/handley_house/hh_cirkit.html

http://www.delphiglass.com/index.cfm?page=itemList&altcat=1672&viewcat=1672