Wheel cleaning question

[nookie]

Hi, am I am right in thinking putting a 9v Battery across the wheels of a chipped loco to clean them, is a no no?

if so, would say clipping crocodile clips onto the rails with wires to two suitable wipers across the wheels be OK?

the idea is so you can address the loco sit it in a cradle upside down, power it up and cotton bud away?

Cheers Nookie.

[Pete the Elaner]

I would be happy with the 9v battery, except most of my locos have DC disabled after a couple ran away after a short had been cleared.

My biggest issue with a powered cleaning brush is it being no use for unpowered wheels with pickups.

I would not be so happy about cleaning my wheels with a stiff metal brush.

[WIMorrison]

I use a brass brush powered from a Gaugemaster Combi to clean my loco wheels - but I have everything set to run on DC by enabling it in CV29.

 

You can use brass brushes but do not use steel brushes, not a good idea

[Dagworth]

Get yourself a couple of these https://www.dcctrainautomation.co.uk/trix-minitrix-66602-conductive-loco-wheel-cleaning-brush-ho.html

 

The Conrad branded one is exactly the same (it even comes in a Trix branded box) but half the price https://www.conrad.com/p/trix-h0-92012-h0-wheel-set-brush-1-pcs-219928 although currently sold out.

 

Plonk them on a bit of straight track (can be part of the layout) and put the loco on top, hold it to stop it running off or falling over and drive it using your DCC system

 

Andi

[Nigelcliffe]

There is also an N version of the brush Andi references.   Been around for many decades.  Works well.  

 

 

- Nigel

 

[johnb]

Works very well agree with Andi, been using a couple for some years very useful at exhibitions ( er .. what are they?)

[ColinK]

I picked up one of the N gauge versions from Arcadia Models for a friend, just in time before lockdown.

 

I use the 00 version and it works well.  But don’t press the loco down too hard onto the unit to get the crud off.  The carden shaft linking the motor with the bogie on one of my locos came detached probably as a result of pressing down too hard.