Kadee Coupler Question

[Anonymous]

Greetings,

What Kadee coupler do you use for your Athearn locomotives?

I have used the Number 5 for almost all my locomotives and never had a problem.

I was told that was wrong and the number 5 would cause a short and also

make the engine not run correctly with added units.

Any input?

Mark in Texas

[1train]

Please advise! What is the difference in Kadee vs. what comes with the "car" I would really want my "stock" to be top of the line? Help!!!

[dtomlinson]

I have another Kadee Coupler question. I am just starting to building my layout and am wondering just where to place the uncoupler magnets on my sidings.
Dale

[CP5415]

I haven't had a problem with any of the 5's on my Athearns, even when I had 5 or 6 of them working together.

Gordon

[CP5415]

What comes with Athearn's stuff now is Bachman's EZ mates.
They work, for a while. The plastic "spring" wears out after a while & you'll have to replace them. Kadee's have a brass spring that last's a while unless abused.

Gordon

[Anonymous]

If you use the plastic draft gear that comes with the #5 coupler there is not a problem with electric shorts. I never use the clip that comes with the loco .After drilling the coupler pad for a 2-56 screw and modifying the draft gear ,Its easy to find the right coupler height by using either a underset , centerset , or a overset coupler.Number 5's are good, but a #23 has a short 1/4 inch shank which couple the locos close together realisticly. Also a #28 coupler can take the place of a#5 The 28 is a plastic shank coupler. All of the 20 Series couplers have plastic shanks. I hope these suggestiouns are a help. Mustache.

[Anonymous]

For correct loco/freight car KD conversions go to
www.kadee.com/conv/list.htm You should also
have a coupler height gauge,#205 and a trip pin
pliers, #237, both may be viewed by going to
www.kadee.com scroll down to product # 80-249, click,
and then click on 205 or 237 for exploded picture.

[Anonymous]

I've only been able to use #5s on Athearn SW7s - and they don't work too well there for some reason. As said before, look at the Kadee website for advice on this - they even have diagrams on how do do the more "involved" conversion jobs. Just be a bit careful as they seem a little confused on some locos/cars - their advice for the old "Blue Box" AC4400 was to use #28s (these are too low), I found #27s on the rear and #21s on the front a far better bet - the longer front coupler is to clear the pilot plough.