Hi all-
I'm looking for some advice on wheelsets. I am going to try track detection signaling, and want to try my hand at adding SMD resistors to the wheels with conductive paste. Metal wheels with metal axles are ideal for that. But I am also wanting to try using Kadee electric uncouplers all over the layout. I am seeing some wheelsets being advertised as non-magnetic (brass). I'm assuming that has something to do with uncoupling? I'd prefer standard metal if it won't effect uncoupling. This is HO scale, and my first test conversions would be some blue box kits.
Thanks,
Tom
Round Wheels.
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Yes Tom, metal axles will interfere with uncoupling. You can alleviate that by combining metal with non-magnetic in the same truck. In other words, put a non-magnetic wheelset on the truck near the end of the car, and put a metal one (on the same truck), on the inside of the car. Uncoupling will be less affected.
Simon
I like my Intermountain metal wheelsets.
But yes, they do interfere with magnetic uncoupling. Since most of my awkward uncoupling is on sidings away from the main line, I take this opportunity to do a but more scenic work. I add just a bit of tall field grass between the siding's rails. This keeps the cars from rolling. It also works to keep cars in place on slight slopes. I didn't notice any problem with old plastic wheels, but when I upgraded to metal sometimes a bit of extra "braking" was necessary.
Now, though, I have pretty much given up on magnets, an rely mostly on skewers.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Thanks for the info guys, it sent me looking in the right direction. I think I will try some Intermountain brass sets. Looks like it's gonna be a bit of tedius process.
I know you said that you want to do the SMD resister install yourself...but did you look into Jay-Bee resister wheel sets. Not as tedius.
I have both on my layout, self installed SMDs and Jay-Bee's resister wheel sets, Oh, and a third type, ATLAS wheel sets with resisters. On a four axle car, I have two axles, one on each truck's inside axle with resisters. I'm sure you can get away with one resister per car.
Thanks PC! Not sure how I missed those JB's. I will be ordering a dozen to try them out.
I didn't realize Jay Bee were still being made. But their website seems to be active.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
riogrande5761 I didn't realize Jay Bee were still being made. But their website seems to be active.
That could be my mistake, I buy in bulk at times and then as time passes, I think items are still around. Then someone will say "that company has been out of business for years" or "that company hasn't made those for years". Hope you find some and I did not lead you on a wild goose chase.
Part #10810 (12) sets 33'' RP-25 contour wheels 10 k ohm. Oh my, this package is dated 3-5-08.
Part #10610 (12) sets 36'' RP-25 contour wheels 10 k ohm. With a same date of 3-5-08.
I'm thinking they are still going, my order was accepted. I'll post up when I get them.
snjroy Yes Tom, metal axles will interfere with uncoupling. You can alleviate that by combining metal with non-magnetic in the same truck. In other words, put a non-magnetic wheelset on the truck near the end of the car, and put a metal one (on the same truck), on the inside of the car. Uncoupling will be less affected. Simon
I think Kadee wheelsets have plastic axles, which reduces the uncoupling issues. One of the problems with replacing wheelsets is that the axles aren't all the same length.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
My Jay-Bee resistor wheelsets arrived Friday. Just had a chance to pop them into a couple of cars. They work perfectly with my test signals. Thanks guys!
Sparky Rail My Jay-Bee resistor wheelsets arrived Friday. Just had a chance to pop them into a couple of cars. They work perfectly with my test signals. Thanks guys!
My cars with ''detectors'' of some sort on or in the axle have a index card with what axle on the car it is located. Not every car needs a ''detector''.