Radio controlled uncouplers for LGB type couplings

TerrySoham

TerrySoham

Registered
Before I venture too far with my own experiments, has anyone already worked out how to make their LGB type couplings uncouple automatically. I am using battery powered locomotoves which are radio controlled.

Thanks
 
Interesting topic you have brought up here. I am sure someone out there has done this but may be not with LGB type couplings. What type RC kit do you use?
 
Bram said:
Interesting topic you have brought up here. I am sure someone out there has done this but may be not with LGB type couplings. What type RC kit do you use?
Click to expand...


LGB's digital starter set Kof loco has working couplings, but I've no idea how it works.


The Cliff Barker RC kit that Bram and me use has an uncoupling facility, but again, it's not something I've investigated yet.
 
Do you know what facilities are available on your TX
 
For your information, I have already established the following:

1. I have a working prototype (on the bench) of an uncoupler using a small electro-magnet which was taken from a small, damaged relay which I have attached to a standard LGB coupling. Presently this is actuated from a dc controller at voltages similar to those that I get from my on-board battery pack using a simple on/off switch.
2. The button push for the "bell on/off signal" (Aux plus 2 for those who know the Elite throttles) on my Elite throttle will operate a small relay.
3. I need to obtain some soft iron wire- just in case you don't know this is attracted to electro-magnets but does NOT retain any magnetism. This is most important as I want the iron, which will be attached to the "lever" of the coupler, to fall away from the electro-magnet when the power is off so as to return the coupler to its normal position. I hope you see what I'm getting at.

I have now ordered two Seep uncouplers (effectively electro-magnets) from Gaugemaster and another relay from Maplin's to test out my prototype.

However, if anyone has done this before or even thought about it doing it before, I would appreciate their ideas so I avoid "re-inventing the wheel".
 
i dont know if this will help but heres some food for thought


the kof-both the old analogs (which i have) and the newer digital
have a dedicated motor at each end of the body simply to operate the couplers

the loop is a sandwich that is split-it actually moves so as to disengage the hook -even if 'mirror hooked'-it also lowers the hook-the sandwhich has a sort of dullish 'blade' which skips the opposing hook down to allow to disengage

the motor on the analog is controlled using something akin to old LGB EAV system, ill bet-at low voltage, the lights operate, and at a certain threshold the coupler motors engage-the loco motor has a much higher threshold

if you go beyond the low voltage range -the motors will not engage and thngs stay coupled-loco operates like a normal loco -you simply put the throttel up to around 9 volts right away and the loco will crawl like a normal KOF

both digital and analog versions have roof lights -

on the analog version, one yellow and one red-to let you know youre in coupler operation voltage range (yellow) and raising the voltage slightly, the motors will operate and uncoupling has been acheived (red) -they ony operate int eh direction of travel, on end at a time


when voltage is raised to engage the loco motor, the split loop will retract, hook wil raise all roof indicator lights go out,

these are most clever locos-real sleepers to most-they sell here in the US for a song becuae they are a KOF and folks dont know how useful they are- i bought one on a whim on closeout-since i kinda like short diesels-then another once i found i loved it-again cheaply -not much more than a regaular KOF

the split loops are proprietary and being unique to the loco they are rare-and would take tremendous engineering and construction to make from scratch-not merely the slpit but also tight and careful alignment in the body

for lgb knuckles-i imagine a small lift chain and motor to lever would work for uncoupling -not unlike the system on the LGB 2063 (?) US Davenport ng model-ie a small air lift cylinder with a lever-this could be used with small motors-not elegant -but might be ok for certain types of locos

for kadees -the old under the track magnet -not a bad system if carefully located -pretty reliabel but not always-most be perfectly set up, lubricated and all burrs in molded parts must be smoothed

i am not a digital operator -
but once a small motor/solinoid was fitted to an appropriate lift system for knuckles-i imagine using a decoder to simply lift or drip might be achievable-as i think about it it would seem a large undertaking not only to design but also to execute and somehow fit into a loco

i suppose some sort of central-in-the- body , twin end lift or pull might be feasible-ie like a short throw capstan that pulls a line or rod to a pully or rod linkage on the buffer ?? would probaby neeed som sort of spring to return after pulling

might want to find the LGB version and reverse engineer it
 
I was interested in doing the same thing.

I noticed that gootspoor had some videos on their site with automatic uncoupling:

Go to http://www.grootspoormovie.com/

select 'video's' and then 'loc's'.

look at the films for LGB2044, LGB21423 and LGB28004.

I asked Michael at Grootspoor how it was done.

He said you can get a special coupler, which can be attached to a servo. I guess you wouldn't be interested in this but he also told me that some DCC decoders, such as the latest Massoth ones, can control the servo.

He didn't say much about the coupler and who made it. I think it may be this one by ZIMO: http://grootspoor.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_1493&products_id=28545

I never got as far as actually doing it. I'll keep my eye on this thread.

Good luck.
 
lots of worthwhile things to see on that sight
nice ideas for the FRR series locos
 
Thanks for this information. It was very thought provoking. Makes me wonder whether using electo-magnets is a dead end.
 
Thanks for this information. I too have looked at using small electric motors to control the uncoupler. But as I haven't got any small ones to hand I went down the electro-magnetic route. If this does not prove fruitful then I will revisit the motors.

Thank you

stevedenver said:
i dont know if this will help but heres some food for thought


the kof-both the old analogs (which i have) and the newer digital
have a dedicated motor at each end of the body simply to operate the couplers

the loop is a sandwich that is split-it actually moves so as to disengage the hook -even if 'mirror hooked'-it also lowers the hook-the sandwhich has a sort of dullish 'blade' which skips the opposing hook down to allow to disengage

the motor on the analog is controlled using something akin to old LGB EAV system, ill bet-at low voltage, the lights operate, and at a certain threshold the coupler motors engage-the loco motor has a much higher threshold

if you go beyond the low voltage range -the motors will not engage and thngs stay coupled-loco operates like a normal loco -you simply put the throttel up to around 9 volts right away and the loco will crawl like a normal KOF

both digital and analog versions have roof lights -

on the analog version, one yellow and one red-to let you know youre in coupler operation voltage range (yellow) and raising the voltage slightly, the motors will operate and uncoupling has been acheived (red) -they ony operate int eh direction of travel, on end at a time


when voltage is raised to engage the loco motor, the split loop will retract, hook wil raise all roof indicator lights go out,

these are most clever locos-real sleepers to most-they sell here in the US for a song becuae they are a KOF and folks dont know how useful they are- i bought one on a whim on closeout-since i kinda like short diesels-then another once i found i loved it-again cheaply -not much more than a regaular KOF

the split loops are proprietary and being unique to the loco they are rare-and would take tremendous engineering and construction to make from scratch-not merely the slpit but also tight and careful alignment in the body

for lgb knuckles-i imagine a small lift chain and motor to lever would work for uncoupling -not unlike the system on the LGB 2063 (?) US Davenport ng model-ie a small air lift cylinder with a lever-this could be used with small motors-not elegant -but might be ok for certain types of locos

for kadees -the old under the track magnet -not a bad system if carefully located -pretty reliabel but not always-most be perfectly set up, lubricated and all burrs in molded parts must be smoothed

i am not a digital operator -
but once a small motor/solinoid was fitted to an appropriate lift system for knuckles-i imagine using a decoder to simply lift or drip might be achievable-as i think about it it would seem a large undertaking not only to design but also to execute and somehow fit into a loco

i suppose some sort of central-in-the- body , twin end lift or pull might be feasible-ie like a short throw capstan that pulls a line or rod to a pully or rod linkage on the buffer ?? would probaby neeed som sort of spring to return after pulling

might want to find the LGB version and reverse engineer it
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for this but as my technical German is non-existent I wonder whether anyone else could translate this document for me.
 
If you you install a Google tool bar it will have a "Translate" button, very useful that is
 
In 2005 I wrote an article, which appeared on G Scale Mad, entitled 'Modifying Standard LGB Couplings for magnetic delayed action uncoupling'. The article was illustrated with detailed diagrammes and photographs. The article was initially copied across from GSM when GSC was set up, but, together with other articles, it seems to have disappearred without trace. The article is too big to attach to a post and I have yet to find a way to upload it on GSc. This is not the first time this topic has come up on GSC and I feel it would be of interest.

David

8ee6e4fab5684b19a6278d1e11511fba.jpg
 
Cliff George said:
I was interested in doing the same thing.

I noticed that gootspoor had some videos on their site with automatic uncoupling:

Go to http://www.grootspoormovie.com/

select 'video's' and then 'loc's'.

look at the films for LGB2044, LGB21423 and LGB28004.

I asked Michael at Grootspoor how it was done.

He said you can get a special coupler, which can be attached to a servo. I guess you wouldn't be interested in this but he also told me that some DCC decoders, such as the latest Massoth ones, can control the servo.

He didn't say much about the coupler and who made it. I think it may be this one by ZIMO: http://grootspoor.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_1493&products_id=28545

I never got as far as actually doing it. I'll keep my eye on this thread.

Good luck.
Click to expand...




YES!!! I want this available for my Analog DC system too. I like the Duo KOF unit but I would like to get small Steam engines to have this feature!!!


I went to the Grootspoor.com and There is a LGB type mechanical coupler you can purchase....could someone please translate the following description of this (its German) for us? I believe it says Digital and Analog using a servo but I'm not sure...





GERMAN TEXT (please help us out here)

Digitaler Entkuppler ohne Antrieb (Fa. Fertig), aber mit beiliegendem Seilzug für externen Antrieb, meistens Servo; ZIMO Decoder haben Anschlüsse für Servo-Steuerleitungen, der MX690V auch die passende Stromversorgung (5 V). Dieser Entkuppler hebt auch den Haken der Gegen-Kupplung hoch
 
798.03 said:
TerrySoham said:
Before I venture too far with my own experiments, has anyone already worked out how to make their LGB type couplings uncouple automatically. I am using battery powered locomotoves which are radio controlled.

Thanks
Click to expand...





http://www.modell-werkstatt.de/lokomotiven/automatische-kupplung-bausatz.html < Link To Bertram Heyn makes the necessary equipment. It's essentially a little plate that, when powered by a servo, either off an MTS controller or a radio control, depresses the LGB coupling.
Click to expand...

WOW!!! This site is even better! Not only do they have the LGB automatic uncoupling arm, its lest expensive, and they have loads of great kitbash stuff. Look what you can do to your LGB Otto!





pic00007_big.jpg





http://www.modell-werkstatt.de/lokomotiven/kleine-berta-grundbausatz-fuehrerhaus.html




Good news and bad news...This is an AWESOME SITE for LGB products...the bad news...why have you hidden this online treasure from me until now???? What suffering I have had to endure all these years!
 
TerrySoham said:
Thanks for this but as my technical German is non-existent I wonder whether anyone else could translate this document for me.
Click to expand...

Hello Fred,

it is a very technical text but I did my best.

See if it helps:

"Digital decoupler without a drive (company name "Fertig"), but with cable pull (or say wire rope) enclosed for external drive mostly servo; ZIMO decoder have circuit points for servo- control cables, the MX690V has also the appropriate electric power supply (5V). This decoupler lifts also the hook of the other coupler (or the coupler of the other side, I think the coupler of the other waggon is meant)."

Please do not hesitate to ask if you need some more help with German translations.

Kind regards

Roland





Von: Fred [mailto:turner.turner3@ntlworld.com]
Gesendet: Montag, 17. Januar 2011 23:19
An: Roland Hoffmann
Betreff: Translation please.








YES!!! I want this available for my Analog DC system too. I like the Duo KOF unit but I would like to get small Steam engines to have this feature!!!


I went to the Grootspoor.com and There is a LGB type mechanical coupler you can purchase....could someone please translate the following description of this (its German) for us? I believe it says Digital and Analog using a servo but I'm not sure...





GERMAN TEXT (please help us out here)

Digitaler Entkuppler ohne Antrieb (Fa. Fertig), aber mit beiliegendem Seilzug für externen Antrieb, meistens Servo; ZIMO Decoder haben Anschlüsse für Servo-Steuerleitungen, der MX690V auch die passende Stromversorgung (5 V). Dieser Entkuppler hebt auch den Haken der Gegen-Kupplung hoch




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