Getting ready to lay my track,was wondering what most people use,the magnetic uncoupler that lays on the rr ties or the electronic uncoupler,or the one that fits in between the road bed.
Jeff
You forgot the other one, the permanent magnet that goes under the ties and can be ballasted over so it’s not seen. The permanent magnets and electromagnets are for different applications.
On a mainline where you definately don’t want an unplanned uncoupling, you’d want the electromagnet so it will only uncouple when the magnet is energized. If you pause over one of the permanent magnets, the cars most likely will uncouple, so you’d want these in the spur or siding away from the main.
The choice of the below-the-ties or on-top-of-the-ties uncoupler is usually based on the scenic point of view. The on-top-of-the-ties uncoupler is very visible, which can be a blessing or a curse. Being easy to see makes it easier to spot a car for uncoupling. The below-the-ties type will need some type of landmark to help you spot the car. It will also need some preplanning to position it since it will have to go in before the track, or the track will have to be pulled up to install it.
There’s also these that can be installed in between the ties anywhere you want so you don’t end up getting ripped off $10-$15 dollars for a 50 cent magnet…
http://www.kjmagnetics.com/products.asp?cat=13
(D-24 or similar) They also sell bar magnets MUCH cheaper than WS does.
I use both the undertrack permanent, and electromagnets. If you want to prevent random false uncoupling with the permanent mags, you can install them on a trapdoor arrangement and lever the “door” up to tie level with an automotive choke cable or a Tortoise machine. A bit of tab card under the ties will hide the hole when the “door” is down. The cardstock will be hidden by the ballast.
Have fun… George
I actually found one of the ones that go underneath the track between the roadbed.Was playing around with it sometimes could get cars to uncouple sometimes they wouldn’t.
You have to have your couplers in proper working order for reliability and consistency. Making sure your centering springs and knuckle springs are all working properly.
So far I’ve had no problems with the K-D#308 permanent magnet on a spur line. As Loathar says, the couplers must be adjusted and limber to work, no matter what you use under the track. KayDee makes a nice gauge for setting up the glad-hands that actuate the uncoupling… G