Help! Years ago I wrapped solid 24 gauge wire around the metal axles of Intermountain semi-insulated wheels and by connecting the trucks (one insulated to the left and the other to the right) to a resistor+small LED managed to get a nice small lighting effect in a standard HO caboose. I looked thru all my saved and downloaded project notes and info- I just can't find an image of my own work anymore and the caboose is buried somewhere on my stored rolling stock.
Does anyone have an image or two of this electrical wire wrap of the metal wheel axle method I could use to refresh my poor memory? Note- I did not use a bridge rectifier in the simple circuit for constant lighting.
Cedarwoodron
Ron,
I use the wire wrapping method on several types of cars. Here is an image from one of my caboose projects.
Here is a link to a short description of how it was done and an image where I used Kadee coupler springs. Just scroll down to the NYC cabooses.
http://www.brvrr.com/How'd%20You%20Do%20That.html
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
I've heard of wrapping solder around the axles of rolling stock to add weight, and wrapping bare wire around them should energise the wire...however, connecting the wire to anything not rotating with the wrapped wire is not likely to end well.Fastening a stiff-ish wire to the plastic trucks so that it rubs on the axle(s), and running a flexible wire from each of the trucks to the lighting circuit should work, though.
Wayne
I must've been composing my reply while you were posting Allen. Your link shows the method, which is definitely more reasonable than the wire tightly-wrapped-around-the-rotating-axle that I pictured in my head....apparently, there was lots of room for such a picture.
I've considered using .005 brass strips. Cut the strips to length and drill a hole to slip over the bolster loosely. Strips this thin shouldn't affect coupler height. 30 ga. wire soldered to the strips should be flexible enough to allow free side to side movement of the trucks. Just make sure that the insulated wheels are on opposite sides of the car. I haven't tried it yet, but I have quite a few passenger cars that I'd like to light.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Medina1128 I've considered using .005 brass strips. Cut the strips to length and drill a hole to slip over the bolster loosely. Strips this thin shouldn't affect coupler height. 30 ga. wire soldered to the strips should be flexible enough to allow free side to side movement of the trucks. Just make sure that the insulated wheels are on opposite sides of the car. I haven't tried it yet, but I have quite a few passenger cars that I'd like to light.
Kadee coupler springs are great for that
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site