I have a DC layout and want to electrify my 6 wheel Athearn HW passenger cars. What is the best way to make wheel contact wipes for 6 wheel trucks.
Thank you
Without seeing what you're working with, I might suggest an idea posted by Darth Santa Fe:
Use the centering springs that come in Kadee#5s and position it and bent it to fit so the small flat springs contact your wheels Use small screws to hold it in position.
Brianmarie,
Athearn Elect. contact strips for axle's:
http://www.athearn.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=ATH90380
Take Care!
Frank
BTW: They say out of stock, but some distb. may have them.
Southgate Without seeing what you're working with, I might suggest an idea posted by Darth Santa Fe: Use the centering springs that come in Kadee#5s and position it and bent it to fit so the small flat springs contact your wheels Use small screws to hold it in position.
You mean the idea posted on my website many moons ago:
http://www.55n3.org/cars/tender_wipers/
And published in Railroad Model Craftsman
or for other things:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/bachmann_4-4-0/sound/
Thank you if you visit
Harold
I've purchased phosphor bronze sheet in .003" thickness from Cloverhouse.com. You'll need some sharp tin snips and maybe some small drills, taps and screws to attach the wipers unless you can attach them using the truck screws.
I use the .003" bronze for opposite rail wheel pickups on my older steam loco tender wheels and drivers. It's got good spring to it, much like the Kadee springs, but doesn't put too much pressure on the wheels. Clover House ships quickly also.
George V.
hminky Southgate Without seeing what you're working with, I might suggest an idea posted by Darth Santa Fe: Use the centering springs that come in Kadee#5s and position it and bent it to fit so the small flat springs contact your wheels Use small screws to hold it in position. You mean the idea posted on my website many moons ago: http://www.55n3.org/cars/tender_wipers/ And published in Railroad Model Craftsman or for other things: http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1879/bachmann_4-4-0/sound/ Thank you if you visit Harold
Rich
Alton Junction
I like to use Tichy .010" phophor bronze wire for my wipers.
For metal trucks, I cut a small piece of PCB tie material and glue it to the truck. The top surface will then be insulated from the truck. The wiper is soldered to it and a wire then runs from the wiper into the body of the car.
This method also works on plastic trucks and can provide contact on both sides on a single truck, as that is sometimes helpful.
I used the PCB material in the truck above because of the indentation that they're seated down in. I don't have a pic handy to show it, but you can dispense with the PCB altogether on a plastic truck. Just soider a piece of the phosphor bronze wire as a T at the end of the feeder line, drill a hole from the bottom and thread the feeder up throughb it. Fasten from below with a dab of epoxy.
Some cars have provisions for wipers either built-in or available as parts, as was already mentioned. Here's the Blackstone implementation of wipers on their passenger cars. Their caboose has a similar arrangement.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
hminky
LION likes that, him will do so.
Many Tanks!
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Both of My Athearn Mikados will get this treatment.
This company makes several szes and shapes of wheel and axle wipers: http://www.sbs4dcc.com/home.html No connection--I just happen to know about it.
Herold, I first saw that idea on a critter loco by Darth, But credit wherever due. I went to your site and added it to my favorites. For not being a how-to, it sure shows how-to! Thanks foir the link.
I will look for those motors at All Electronics, as I have lots of uses. I don't intend to add DCC, but anything that can improve electrical pickup in those Bachmann 4-4-0s helps in DC too. It looks better with the larger tender wheels and other improvements.
I saved the "runners" from the Atlas rail joiners when they used to come on them, they make good contact strips too. Dan