Kadee magnetic uncoupling
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Using neodymium magnets between the sleepers
we can get builders strength pva from B&Q,which is the stuff I use,3 sizes to pick from.:doublethumb:cool:
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Before painting - bit crappy looking as these had been glued before:-
After a coat of brown paint - they certainly don't look as obvious as the normal Kadee magnets.
Once ballasted, should look OK
The advantage of these PUMS , over the underneath the track magnets of Kadee #308 which may need an area possibly cut into the baseboard depending on how track is laid, can be installed after track is down.
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Full Member
Thanks for posting the pictures. They demonstrate that the visual effect I was looking for is achieveable.
I'm really pleased with the amount of interest that has been shown in this thread, and the way a simple idea has been progressed by other people 'having a go'.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the world's supply of 3mm neodymium magnets has recently become rather depleted…..
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Then the price of rare earth magnets will go up as Kadee will have cornered the market exclam:exclam:Perhaps we should flog the idea to Kadee!
Perry
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Inactive Member
At the moment the kadees sometimes uncouple, sometimes dont and always wobble about.
Les
Devon Junction
Kernow Junction
Kernow Junction
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Yes get 15 all joined together then split into 5's & when placing the magnets make sure like poles are all to the same rail.
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Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Iwould of thought 5 down each line would suffice
lol::cool:
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The three rows of five gave a longer uncoupling area (about 18mm) which a: made it easier to position the stock over it, and b: gave a more positive action than using fewer magnets.
They are so cheap that it made sense to me to err on the generous side when it came to installing the magnets. One probably could get away with two rows, but experience has shown that three rows are better. Bear in mind that these magnets are only 3mm wide. I don't think that's wide enough to affect both droppers on a pair of wagons at once.
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Les
Devon Junction
Kernow Junction
Kernow Junction
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:cheers
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Good on yer, Les! :thumbsThank you gentlemen that seems to have sorted it - all working well.:thumbs
Les
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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I can understand why you need multiple rows along the track, but do the magents increase in strength if there are more of them ?
Would the magnets work as well if you only used the outer ones of each row ?
Stu
Stubby47's Bespoke Model Buildings
All photos I post are ©Stu Hilton, but are free for use by anyone.
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I tried multiple configurations and found this to be the most effective.Perry, can I ask why you need a row of 5 across the track ?
I can understand why you need multiple rows along the track, but do the magents increase in strength if there are more of them ?
Would the magnets work as well if you only used the outer ones of each row ?
Stu
Sol also tried other ways of doing it, but I believe he also settled on the three rows of five.
I think leaving a gap shows the 'wrong pole' of the magnet to the coupling dropper and it gets confused! :shock:
Perhaps this diagram will illustrate what I mean:
With the 5 magnets in a row, the droppers are attracted to the extreme ends, giving full deflection.
With the two magnets (or even two pairs with a gap in the middle) you can see that the droppers would not be deflected sufficiently to cause positive uncoupling actions. They would be attracted to the 'inner' north and south poles, rather than the ones at the outsides.
I don't know if I've got the science right, but after lots of testing, the rows of five seemed to work best for me.
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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I've stood some temporary markers beside the track to make them easier to find. These will be replaced in the fullness of time with a figure, piece of junk, or something similar that I can easily spot but that won't be obvious to other observers.
Perry
Due to cutbacks, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
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Max
Port Elderley
Port Elderley
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:roll::cool:
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