im looking at a kadee non delayed uncoupling magnet. whats the difference between the delayed and non delayed? are these a good buy? how do these magnets work?
Thanks
GEARHEAD426
[8]
i just use refrige magnets work the same way.
Last year I wrote this article for the Rochester Model Rails December issue. See the link at the and of the article for pictures.
I don’t know about you, but I hate having to lift my cars in order to uncouple them during an operating session. Hand uncoupling at hard to reach sidings can tough on the foreground scenery, too. My old HO layout used O-Scale Kadee permanent magnet uncoupling ramps, about 1.75”x 2.25”, mounted under the rails. Besides being expensive on a large layout, they are thicker than the Woodland Scenics foam roadbed I am now using.
I have been using rare earth magnets in my furniture business to enable hidden lock mechanisms for several years. They are very strong, cheap, and small. After a little fooling around, it was apparent that these little gems were the answer to my uncoupling woes. I use 10mm diameter by 5mm thick magnets (part# 127197) from my local Woodcraft store (292-9690). They cost $11.99 for a pack of ten. Two are used for each uncoupling ramp. This makes it about $2.25 per. I’m sure these magnets can be had for a much lower price if you shop around. They also sell a thinner 10mm x 3mm version for $7.99 for 10. These would probably work, too. I had the thicker ones left over from a prior project.
To mount them, simply determine where you want the delayed uncoupling to occur. Make sure you are not too close to the switch points so as to block a runaround maneuver.
I mount the magnets evenly, one under each rail. Using a 3/8” forstner bit (these drill a flat bottomed hole) drill a hole exactly centered under each rail, through the foam roadbed, and about 1/8” into the subroadbed. The 10mm magnets are just a bit larger than 3/8” so ream out the holes with a 25/64” twist drill. Don’t try to use a twist drill to start the holes, since there will be too much bit wander. The holes should now hold the magnets snugly. Press the magnets into the holes until they are about 1/16” below the surface of the roadbed. Use care
with a deleyed uncoupler once you hoover over the magnet and the couplers uncouple they stay open so you can back the loco up and place the car/s where ever you want them without the couplers reengaging (with a little practice) . With undeleyed once the couplers uncouple you have to move the loco away or it will couple again. I use the deleyed in my yards so I can back cars up and spot them where ever I want. As long as you keep pressure on the coupler from the loco you can back it through t/o’s or whatever. I use the undeleyed at the end of a industry siding where I want to spot a car in the same place all the time Where ever the undeleyed magnet is is where the car will spot basically. I use the under track Micro Mark. They get placed under the track as you put the track down and you can ballast over it and it doesn’t show.
Terry[8D]
They work great.
They work with the kadee coupler. The coupler has a metal arm that will be pulled to one side when over the magnet. As the train passes over the magnet the metal arm tries to open the coupler but the couplers are locked together. To open them you stop over the magnet and back up just enough to let the coupler open (about 1/4 inch).
I use the non delayed uncouplers. These are just magnets in the track. I use them on sidings. The delayed uncoupler is an electomagnet. It is only a magnet when you turn it on. These would be better used on a main line. Kadee also makes a small portable uncoupler that I use for my main line.
I have them all over my layout. I can switch out all my industries and two train yards while sitting on my stool.
The permanent (non-electro) magnets also work with the delayed feature.
Be aware that these can be a bit fussy, but once everything is set up right they usually work pretty well. One thing I’ve found is that they really want the cars to be straight on both sides of the magnet, so the uncoupler should be positioned in the center of a straight run that is at least twice as long as the longest car you will be using.
It is indeed possible to get rare earth magnets at lower prices than Woodcraft sells them for. As examples, you can try the Super Magnet Man at http://www.engconcepts.net as well as Forcefield’s site at http://www.wondermagnet.com/ Both of these dealers have very similar items at improved prices.
Super Magnet Man has 10 mm diameter x 3 mm discs ( part D1059) at $0.30 each, minimum order of 10 pieces; and 12.7 mm diameter x 4 mm discs (part D1068) at $0.50 each, minimum order of 4 pieces. The relevant catalog page is http://www.engconcepts.net/List_Of_Disc_Magnets.asp
Forcefield has 3/8 in diameter x 1/8 in discs (part 0003) at $0.25 each, no minimum order noted. The relevant catalog page is http://www.wondermagnets.com/cgi-bin/edatcat/WMSstore.pl?user_action=list&category=Magnets_and_Magnetism%3BPermanent_Magnets%3BNeodymium
Note that shipping charges will be added to your order, which will modify your price upward. The dealers will have info about s