HELP!! For all of the raving people do about Kadee couplers. they sure are an absolute bear to install. So I am trying to convert a regular Athearn 40’ pulpwood car to Kadees. Kadee says that #5’s will work fine. But there is too much play in the coupler making it not center properly, so the directions say to use a bushing from a 20-series package, which I have. But these bushings are too small!! What do I do?
Hi Jim. Not an unusual problem, and you’ll find tht after you’ve done a few conversions, they get MUCH easier. Normally, the number 5 (or the 20, 30 and 40 series) will drop right into the Athearn coupler box. A couple problems I’ve had with the Athearn mounting: 1. The snap on metal cover has rough edges where they are against the coupler causing it to bind. File these smooth before installation. 2. The mounting can be a bit tight (top to bottom) for the spring. Cut off the two tabs that hang down near the edge of the spring. They’re the ones closest to the front of the picture. If you put the spring in without doing this, make sure the spring isn’t distorted. If it is, replace it.
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page138.htm
Another problem I’ve found with the Athearns: if you can’t get the cover to stay snapped on, the corners may be wider than 90 degrees. Rebend these to 90 degrees or tighter.
Enjoy.
Or drill and tap the center plastic post for a #2-56 screw, to hold the clip on.
how do i convert to KD’s on a round house ballast hopper???
The few Roundhouse cars I have (body mount couplers) were a direct drop in replacement of the X2F couplers supplied.
Use tweezers when handling the bronze springs. They are very fragile, if damaged or distorted, the coupler will not operate properly. The Athearn metal covers can be tricky- but you will get the hang of it. There’s nothing better than a good Kadee.
Bob K.
You ARE using the Kadee springs in the box aren’t you? Without their bronze spring, there is no way to make the Kadee 5 center. (I know this is a dumb question, but it is possible that someone doesn’t realize that the spring assembly is necessary.)
I wish kadee would do away with that spring and use integrated ones like the other companies use for centering. I also wihey all could figure out a way to keep the latch coil spring on. I wihey would all quit trying to use plastic whisker springs to latch. I wi***hey all were made from metal. There isn’t one made I’m really 100% happy with. Fred
Fred,
Have you seen the new Kadee #148 coupler with the metal “whiskers”? It looks like one of your wishes may have already been granted.
http://www.kadee.com/htmbord/page397.htm
HD