Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by Robert Knapp [[/quote] Okay guys. Let's start talking about adding pickup to the engine/tender... First of all, if you're familiar with the 4-8-4 tender, you already know that it's not set up for contacts, so I'm going to have to make them from scratch. Any suggestions on that ?. Thanks in advance. trainluver1 [/quote] trainluvr1, Have you ever seen the pickups for a JB lighting kit or on the old P2K steel caboose? Basically all there is to it is a flat bronze pickup shaped like an H. the center of the H is drilled to accept a 2/56 machine screw to hold the truck. The 4 wipers of the H ride/ wipe the axles for pickup. Proper wheelsets are needed. You have to use metal wheels w/ a brass axle- the insulator is at on end. If you want pickup from both rails, the insulator on each truck has to be on the same side or you will short. Front truck say on right and rear opposite. the machine screw needs to be long enough to extend through the floor of the tender. Contact wires need to be attached to the screws. This is where you can solder directly to the screw or as I would recommend, solder the wire to a brass washer or solderless connector to allow disassembly if ever needed. Minitronics makes some great mini connectors to use in this case. The greatest problem area you would encounter w/o buying a kit is fabricating the pickup and setting it in position as not to interfere with normal truck operation. I have been using parts/ pieces from older kits so I'm not up on any new kits or manufactured parts that may be available. Maybe someone on the forum can help out with this or an alterative method of pickup. Good luck. Bob K. [/quote] Okay Bob K... What I think I'm going to have to do is custom make a set of contacts out of flat copper or brass - which I just happen to have on hand. It'll be a little tricky, but I think it can be done. The main thing is that I need to get extra contact to the motor so I won't have the "hick up" problem I'm having now. Thanks a million for all the info. I really appreciate it. trainluver1 (Sam)
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community