RMweb Premium melmerby Posted October 23, 2016 RMweb Premium Share Posted October 23, 2016 Hi all I am thinking of getting some Kadees and want to use their automatic uncoupling system but not the permanent magnet type. It needs to be controllable with the DCC system. I.e. operated only when required The Kadee #309 electromagnetic uncoupler is big and will be dificult to fix, especially as all my track is already laid on 9mm ply with 3mm of cork underlay. I don't fancy having to rip up lots of track Does anybody know if it will work through that distance (12mm)? If not, has anybody used an alternative electromagnet of any description? Cheers Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amdaley Posted October 23, 2016 Share Posted October 23, 2016 Hi all I am thinking of getting some Kadees and want to use their automatic uncoupling system but not the permanent magnet type. It needs to be controllable with the DCC system. I.e. operated only when required The Kadee #309 electromagnetic uncoupler is big and will be dificult to fix, especially as all my track is already laid on 9mm ply with 3mm of cork underlay. I don't fancy having to rip up lots of track Does anybody know if it will work through that distance (12mm)? If not, has anybody used an alternative electromagnet of any description? Cheers Keith Hi Keith. You could try these. You will have to drill the baseboard but they are much neater. http://rapidotrains.com/on-off-remote-coupler/ Tony. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted October 24, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi all I am thinking of getting some Kadees and want to use their automatic uncoupling system but not the permanent magnet type. It needs to be controllable with the DCC system. I.e. operated only when required The Kadee #309 electromagnetic uncoupler is big and will be dificult to fix, especially as all my track is already laid on 9mm ply with 3mm of cork underlay. I don't fancy having to rip up lots of track Does anybody know if it will work through that distance (12mm)? If not, has anybody used an alternative electromagnet of any description? Cheers Keith The short answer is no, the Kadee unit is designed to fit fairly tight under the sleepers (though I think you might get away with 2-4mm) so some surgery to the underside of your baseboards will be necessary. The Rapido Trains one fits into a circular aperture so should be easier but coming up under existing track with a 44mm dia. hole-saw in a power drill is not a job for anyone of a nervous disposition. Practice would help but I think some "failures" would be inevitable. My best suggestion is to make up a small test board with track laid and ballasted in your usual way and experiment off the layout first. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yardman Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 The KD Electromagnets have to go in from the top and be mounted directly under the track, they will not work through 12mm of baseboard. They also draw a lot of power and are short time rated. As stated by previous posters your best bet is the Rapido units. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePurplePrimer Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi Keith. You could try these. You will have to drill the baseboard but they are much neater. http://rapidotrains.com/on-off-remote-coupler/ Tony. Hi Tony Are these available in the UK ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted October 24, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi Tony Are these available in the UK ? They don't list anything like that on their UK site and the USA/CDN site says "Out of stock" Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amdaley Posted October 24, 2016 Share Posted October 24, 2016 Hi Tony Are these available in the UK ? I bought them direct from Rapido. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted October 24, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 24, 2016 Thanks for the replies. Does anybody know what the resistance of the two units, Kadee and Rapido, are? Cheers Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Dunsignalling Posted October 24, 2016 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 24, 2016 I haven't come across any reference to resistance but, on the packet, Kadee recommend a power source of 16 or 18 volts AC, minimum 3 amps. Quite a hefty requirement but, of course, it's only on for a couple of seconds at a time. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium melmerby Posted October 25, 2016 Author RMweb Premium Share Posted October 25, 2016 Am I right in assuming the Rapido device is a bistable unit? e.g. A power pulse activates it, a reverse power pulse de-activates it. Keith Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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