Does anybody know the AWG and especially the type of the wire used in Kadee whisker couplers?
Thanks
George
George,
Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think Kadee uses carbon fiber for their whisker coupler spring wire. I measured the OD of the wire and it's 0.005", which would make it 36 AWG.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage George, Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I think Kadee uses carbon fiber for their whisker coupler spring wire. I measured the OD of the wire and it's 0.005", which would make it 36 AWG. Tom
That's interesting. I didn't know CF wire even existed.
Hello All,
I have had numerous "whiskers" fail on Kadee couplers.
There is no practical way to replace them.
When I contacted Kadee about the failures and they were only interested in inspecting the couplers that both whiskers failed.
I sent them over 17 couplers with whisker failures.
All the failed whisker-type couplers were retrofitted with #5s.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Did the whiskers break or come loose?
Since normal non-hisker Kadees never fail, I'm be interested in how many of the whiskers you have to get that many failures.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Only "failure" of Kadee's I've ever had were the knuckle springs popping off and sailing to "never-never (gonna find them again) land."
Except for 1 that arrived with a snapped shank. But out of literally dozens, only one.
Never had a whisker break or fail.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I would have thought the whiskers to be steel, but they're definitely not attracted to a strong magnet. I got a dial-caliper reading of a .004" diameter.
Wayne
jjdamnitI have had numerous "whiskers" fail on Kadee couplers.
That sure seems like a high failure rate. It will be interesting to see what Kadee's diagnosis is.
Looking over past invoices, I see I've purchased at least 200 whisker couplers. Haven't had one fail yet. I've pinched a few in the draft gear covers and poked my finger on the sharp ends but never had one fail — yet.
Good Luck, Ed
I have also purchased, installed and frequently use over 150 Kadee #148 couplers and have never had a whisker fail. Is the OP installing them correctly? I can't see how even bashing cars together when coupling would put enough strain on a whisker to break it! Break the coupler, coupler box, freight car, yes! Break the whisker, no!
Hornblower
The OP, namely me is not the one reporting the failures. The OP is just seeking data about the whiskers prior to embarking on yet another technical goose chase. I don't see how they could fail either, at least the whisker part.
I've got one broken, do not remember how. Just remember, nothing is unbreakable.
gmpullmanLooking over past invoices, I see I've purchased at least 200 whisker couplers. Haven't had one fail yet.
Same here. Not one single failure.
I have never injured myself with a Kade coupler either!
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I wish I could find a source for this stuff. The smallest CF rod that I can find so far is .010.
From what I can find on the Kadee site, they just call them "Whisker Springs" and nothing about the actual material they are made from.
Pretty sure the whiskers are made of Nitinol.
G
Same here with regard to the knuckle springs, most all of my engines & rolling stock on my layout have Kadee Whisker's and all of the cars comply with NMRA weight standards, luckly i have yet to have one fail due to spring wires, although this may be because the 3'x14' switching layout is at the same track level and i seldom exceed 9MPH-15MPH after uncoupling & shunting cars onto their respective sidings.
I assume conventual Box Spring Kadee's work better for Hump Yard operations, perhaps someone can confrim as such. Bayway Terminal NJ
I originally thouht they were made from copper? Bayway Terminal