Magne-Matic Uncoupler guestion

[cudaken]

 Any tips on installing my first uncoupler? My rails have no bed or ballast yet, as I figuer this hobby out I will added the bed and ballast. I am running code 100 track. Instustion's say's I can just glue the magnets to the ties. On a free laying pices of track the magnet seemed high to me.

 Should I just glue it on or remove the ties like showen for code 83?

 I not sure what they are called, but I know I need to watch the thing that hangs down from the Kadee couplers.

 Getting ready to uncoupled again Cuda Ken

[GearDrivenSteam]

You have the track laid with no road bed?

[Anonymous]

If it sits up taller than the rails I would definitely cut out the ties and glue it to the roadbed.

[Soo Line fan]

Ken,

 

Kadee has always recommended that the magnet be .015 (1/64”) above the rail head. I have always laid them directly on code 100, which seems to work well. Lately I have heard however that P2K switchers will drag when this is done. Others have reported that the magnet should be even with the top of the rails to prevent this. So the answer is even with the top of the rails if you own (or plan to own) any P2K switchers or .015 above the rail if you do not. If I were to redo any of mine I would probably set them even with the top of the rails. Here are the instructions for the Kadee 205 gauge, which also checks the height of the magnets. http://www.kadee.com/html/205ins.pdf

 

Jim

[MisterBeasley]

Yes, the P2K S1 switcher will run aground on a Kadee magnet if it's placed directly on the ties of Code 100 track.  That's exactly the situation I found myself in.  I took my Dremel and shaved down the ties a bit so that the magnet was just even with the top of the rails.  This give me the needed clearance, and uncoupling still works just fine if the couplers on the cars are all adjusted to spec.

I've found that the uncoupler magnet needs a straight section of track at least as long as your longest car on either side of the uncoupling point.  This allows the cars to be lined up straight, and the couplers can swing properly.  If the magnet is on a curve, then the couplers will be "hard over" to one side, and they will not disengage properly.

I attached my magnets with rubber cement, by the way.  It will hold in place just fine, but you can also pop it off and re-attach it if you need to make a small adjustment.