who makes replacement trucks with electrically isolated and conductive wheel sets? I want to light the interior of one of my cabooses.
Install machined metal wheels and make pickups out of half a Kadee #5 coupler spring for each wheel. Use #30 wire. These machined metal wheels are better than the Kadee sintered, black, metal wheels. I have done that for all tender wheel pickups.
Rich
KD#5 spring electrical wipers:
Visit:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1905/tender_wipers/
Thank you if you visit
Hrold
Why is there a need to blacken the backsides of the wheels?
So they aren’t shiny.
Harold
That is great Harold. LOL
Rich
So why are they blackened?
I have been using these from Streamlined Backshop. There seems to be a greater available contact area for pickup from the back of the wheel sets. I have been very happy with the performance from my 3 cabeese I have converted for marker lights.
Ring Engineering now makes freight car trucks with electrical pickups. Not sure if I had anything to do with it. But a year ago I suggested they sell me just the trucks with the electrical pickups that they use for their EOTs. I suggested they would be perfect for caboose lights. They thanked me for my suggestion. Well, they just recently E-mailed me that they now have power pickup trucks available for purchase. So I ordered several. I have no connection with Ring Engineering, but they have some cool products!
Geez, a commercial version of the KD#5 springs.
Woulda thunk it!!!
Harold
Thanks for the link. I see questions quite a lot on this issue.
Rich
I’m a big fan of Ring Engineering’s EOT’s and have a few of them. Get the matching truck for the other end of your car so you will have a matched set. I didn’t when I got my first one and it was noticeable until I replaced it…
It could be a coating to make it more conductive or prevent corrosion.
No it is because they are shiny. Believe me I wrote the aritcle.
Harold
I have bought some similar to this a couple years ago from Athearn/Roundhouse as they are used in the Roundhouse steamers. Different style truck though.
Part number, 2428-PR03.
Rich
Aren’t shiny wheels electrically more conductive than sanding/coating the backsides??? The wheel treads and the backside are one continuous metal coating contacting the rail. Isn’t this optimal for conductivity?
You have no idea what you are talking about do you.
To quote the article:
“Neolube a dry film graphite CONDUCTIVE product”
Then people wonder why I stopped writing articles for the model railroading hobby, sheesh!!!
Totally underwhelmed[(-D]
Harold
Obviously not. I’m sorry to have wasted your time! I shall try to never do it again.
Anybody who has ever said “There is no such thing as a stupid question” obviously never got any questions.
Harold
Edit: and yeah I have asked stupid questions with a D-oh!!!