Metropolitan Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I'm getting problems with the pickups on several of my Heljan OO loco's. After a period of use, especially with tight curves, the pickups are no longer touching the wheels at the outer limits of their lateral travel. Removing the wheels and bending out the pickups solves it for a while but not permanently. It seems to me that the brass is very soft and sort of anneals itself and has little spring to it! I would like to try un-annealing/ hardening the brass using a gas cooker and plunge into cold water as per taught during O Level metalwork many many years ago. But I have forgotten the niceties. Could some one please advise me how to go about this with brass? I seem to remember something about getting it to the right colour before dousing it? Thanks in anticipation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokebox Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Basically, brass can only be work hardened. Heating it and then quenching will result in it becoming soft. Just put "hardening brass" into google You could try replacing it with phosphor bronze Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
davknigh Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I replaced mine with 28 SWG PB wire which has served very well. A pic is attached. HTH David Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horsetan Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I'm getting problems with the pickups on several of my Heljan OO loco's. .....It seems to me that the brass is very soft and sort of anneals itself and has little spring to it!.... Heljan pickups are phosphor bronze, I thought? The ones on mine are. They are very bendy, which is probably why they lose contact so easily. The previous post with alternative pickups looks like a good one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metropolitan Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Heljan pickups are phosphor bronze, I thought? The ones on mine are. They are very bendy, which is probably why they lose contact so easily. The previous post with alternative pickups looks like a good one. Thanks all. Yep. I think I'll replace them as suggested. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
D605Eagle Posted May 17, 2011 Share Posted May 17, 2011 I replaced mine with 28 SWG PB wire which has served very well. A pic is attached. HTH David From the picture, are the end of those pressing on the tread of the wheel? and if so, don't they squeal? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Piszczek Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 From the picture, are the end of those pressing on the tread of the wheel? and if so, don't they squeal? You'd think that having the contacts press against a part of the wheel flange that isn't in contact with the track would be better, no? The other side of the flange would be less likely to pick up dirt, but hey, if it works... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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