Losing power Couplers touch rail

[Anonymous]

Yesterday i posted a topic about losing power in the turns. Today i noticed that when an engine goes into the turns the Kadee coupler on the front of the engine goes over the rail and causes blue sparks and thats what causes the train to slow down. how can I correct this condition and what causes it.
Thanks guys John

[ShaunCN]

Try bending the coupler pin up a bit more to avoid touching the rail.

ShaunCN

[michaelstevens]

JCB3,

Micromark -- http://www.micromark.com/ -- has a tool for this, called the

#80600 "trip pin bending plier"

Happy adjustments !!

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys It was an adjustment about 1/16 of an inch. Sometimes you just miss the obvious.

[nfmisso]

But FIRST get a Kadee coupler height gage, so that you can set every part of the coupler to the correct height. In HO this is Kadee #205.

[tomwatkins]

Nigel is right. Checking coupler height with the Kadee gage is a good idea on every locomotive or car. Doing it before you put one into service can save a lot of aggravation later.
Have fun,
Tom Watkins

[Anonymous]

The worst part of this is I have the guage,It's been in the bottom of my box. I have not used in so long I Forgot.

[SROC99]

JCB3

What particular locomotive are you having trouble with? Where possible, Kadee does not recommend a metal to metal coupler mounting. If you are using the #5 or #58 and the pocket or mounting surface is also metal, as you have found, there is a possibility of electrical shorting through the coupler. If the couplers are at the correct coupler height then this would not happen under normal operations, but may happen during a derailment or such.
Make sure your couplers are at the correct coupler height, use a 20 or 30 series coupler or an insulated coupler mounting on metal surfaces, and check Kadees' coupler recommendations either by contacting them directly or checking their web site at www.kadee.com.

Regards, Sam
Kadee Quality Products

[Anonymous]

The main loco which this was happening too was the Athearn SW 1500. I am using the # 5

[SROC99]

JCB3

The earily SW-1500 has a plastic coupler pocket like their freight cars with the typical metal clip. The later version has the metal platform attached to the die cast chassis, this one we mounted a #38 coupler. Drill and tap the pin hole through the platform for a 2-56 screw. Assemble the coupler with the spring side of the draft gear box on the bottom and the thin lid on top. secure to the botom of the platform with an approiate length screw.
The #5 coupler on this mounting does not give the insulation need to prevent the possiblity of electrical shorting throgh the coupler unless you use the #5 draft gear box.

Sam, Kadees

[Anonymous]

Thanks Sam I do have the later version. Is this common with Athearn,I have alot of Athearn engines,I will check all of they. Thanks again

[Anonymous]

i have the same problems with my athearn FP45's i have 4 i have lost 3 to short circut's and nails. The nails were ramming through th plate on the bottom of the trucks.

[SROC99]

There are two basic types of Athearn coupler platforms on this type of chassis. One the coupler mounts on the top the other it mounts on the bottom. Both usually mount a 30 series Kadee coupler in the same manner as I mentioned. But many of the Athearn locos have inconsistent coupler heights and require offset couplers to achieve the correct coupler heights. If you check Kadees' web site (www.kadee.com) it will show you a great deal of information on mounting couplers on Athearn locos. Scroll down and click on conversion info, click on HO, then click on the mannufacturer (Athearn) and choose the listed model. Most will have a drawing and instructions of the coupler conversion. Also remember that our conversions are based on the individual model we have in our possesion and yours may be a bit different, but always check your coupler height with our #205 coupler height gauge.

CNWfan5525,
Where were the nails located? In your track?

Regards, Sam, Kadees