I have a fairly large HO layout with a nice signal system from Logic Rail Technolgies and have some of their resistor wheelsets, however, I also have a lot of the newer Athearn Genesis 60’ boxcars with the roller bearing trucks with rotating bearing caps. These do not lend themselves to resistors for detection with signal systems, as the axles are plastic, not metal. So, any ideas on how to overcome this and still detect train occupancy without losing the beauty of these trucks with the rotating bearing caps???[:)]
Many years ago, when resistors between freight car wheels became necessary for the then-new detection systems, one of the MR authors made them with something called resistance paint. Since your axles are already plastic, you don’t have to worry about putting an insulator between paint and axle.
One of our electronic gurus should be able to bring you up to speed with present day practice. My own signal system relies on smoke and eyeballs, staff and ticket, and lower-quadrant semaphores.
Chuck
In a recent issue of MRR or RMC (in the last year) there was an article on how to put resistors in the plastic axle. I will post the article location when I find it. Basically they drilled out the center of the plastic axle and inserted the resistor. Come to think of it, It may have been a thread I read??? I’ll check it out.
Terry[8D]
hb1;
Get a conductive paint pen
http://www.action-electronics.com/chemtron.htm#Grease
some surface mount resistors, and some 5 minute epoxy. Epoxy the resistor to the axle, making sure that you have small bead of epoxy that completely encircles the axle as the axle is made of plastic that is not intended to be stuck to. 24 hours (minimum) later, draw traces with the conductive pen from the resistor to each wheel.
JAYBEE made 33" resitor wheelset replacements that ‘dropped in’ to most freight cars, and 36" for some Passenger cars. They may still be in the Walthers Catalog.
Since you need to keep the existing wheelsel, just solder a 10K resistor each lead to both wheel backs. If you drill a partial hole on each wheel back, you can clip the leads to the proper length and the resistor will actually hold itself for soldering. You need to use care w/ the heat as not to distort or throw out of gauge. Resistance soldering will work best.
Bob K.
I don’t believe Jaybee has ever made exposed end roller bearing wheel replacements.