Hi,
I’m thinking about using electromagnets rather than permanent magnets
To uncouple cars with MTL couplers on my N scale layout.
Have any of you used those before to uncouple?
I know Kadee makes an electromagnet for HO, not sure about N. There have been articles in MR about making your own electromagnetic uncouplers. I think the key is to have your core oriented horizontally and perpendicular to the rails. This gives you the sideways pull you need to work them.
I tried modifying an old Lionel uncoupler. DON"T. Does Radio Shack still have the Magnet kit from YEARS ago?
I can use the Lionel Magnets, because that’s what kind of trains I have. The couplers have a tab that needs to be pulled down. Permanent magnets won’t work for me like they will for you, I can’t get the cars over them without uncoupling, I’ve tried.
The sideways activation of the Kadees, allows them to stay coupled over the magnet as long as they are pulled tight. Back off and let them slack up over a magnet and they want to open. There are times when I wish my couplers worked that way.
I think all you need is an iron core, like a nail or bolt, and some magnet wire wrapped around it. It may help to have some plates attached to either end of the core.
I read an article about mounting a permanent magnet on a hinge and using a string ran thru eyelets to drop it and raise it back uinto position. If I were to use this method I would use a cable like a small engine choke cable. I alraedy had a couple of electromagnets in hard to reach places and used a wood skewer for the rest, but if I add on any hard to reach trackage, I’ll do this. I recently bought the RIX hand magnet (the name of it escapes me). It works pretty good when I can find it. Also, a car with metal end rails is attracted to it and may move when you move the magnet if it is very fre rolling