LEGO SYSTEM Trains : 23527


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Subject:	Electrical pick-up for 9v track
Newsgroups:	lugnet.parts.custom, lugnet.trains
Date:	Thu, 7 Oct 2004 18:48:10 GMT
Viewed:	401 times

I recently purchased a couple of cars form my Santa Fe engine. And I decided to install lights in the end car. To power the lights I ran a wire from the egine. But I eventually plan build a train consisting of at least 3 engines and 6 cars. And I don't want to run wires the whole length. So I decided to make an electrical pick-up for 9v track useing the standard wheelsets. <<http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/impact1/TRAINS/Lgaugewheels/lgaugewhpkup2.jpg>> The solution I came up with requiers NO parts modification, or at least not cutting and glueing. I run narrow strips of stain glass tape around the tyres. <<http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/impact1/TRAINS/Lgaugewheels/lgaugewhpkup7.jpg>> This is a copper tape with a tin plating, so it't easy to solder! I also ran a narrow strip around the backside of the flange, which makes contact to the axel using a thin piece of wire. <<http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/impact1/TRAINS/Lgaugewheels/lgaugewhpkup8.jpg>> I make contact to the axel using a small spring, which has a wire solderd to it. <<http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/impact1/TRAINS/Lgaugewheels/lgaugewhpkup5.jpg>> If you replace the standard plates used in the construction of a truck with technic plates, and leave a hollow area above it, you can run a pair of wires off the wheel sets and through the pin in the bogie plate. <<http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/impact1/TRAINS/Lgaugewheels/lgaugewhpkup4.jpg>> A few more images are avalible on brickshelf: <http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=100739> I have a friend of mine that works in a CNC machine shop running me a few wheels in steel and brass. As I don't consider the tape to be a long term solution. Once I've tested them out, he's agreed to run me a couple hundred for a reasonable price. I'm currently favoring steel, as these can be blacked, but still conduct current well. Mat Clayson

Message has 3 Replies:

		Re: Electrical pick-up for 9v track
In lugnet.parts.custom, Mathew Clayson wrote: <snip> (...) Hello Mat, Nice mod here, same for the cleverly done 6 wheel motor. I beleive that with a couple of hundred metal wheel, you are planning to sell some, could you confirm if it is your (...) (20 years ago, 7-Oct-04, to lugnet.parts.custom, lugnet.trains)

		Re: Electrical pick-up for 9v track
(...) This looks a great idea and much simpler than making new metal flanges (as in the 9v motor) I don't actually run my stuff very much/far to I think it would be hardwearing enough for my purposes although I would imagine the 'round the flange' (...) (20 years ago, 8-Oct-04, to lugnet.parts.custom, lugnet.trains)

		Re: Electrical pick-up for 9v track
snippage (...) Ooooh!! Put me down for a couple at least. Mike (20 years ago, 8-Oct-04, to lugnet.parts.custom, lugnet.trains)

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