Sockets on back of LGB locos

C

CoggesRailway

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Yet another newbie question... what are the sockets for on the back of my LGBs? Sharing pick ups when double heading? Train lighting?

Also on my prehistoric u class Zil I have this metal pivoted strip mounted on a rectangle of metal, and a metal hexagon right next to it. This is underneath... what is that for ??
 
as tac says the sockets are for lighting, ie they are track power.. you can link locos back to back, ie two stanzes on anolog..
the plate/nut is a on/off switch for the smoke unit :)
 
Does this apply to the same on Aristo locos? both my GP40 and RDC have a socket?
 
CoggesRailway - 27/11/2009 9:16 AM

what kind of sockets/leads do i need to run back to back like that idea
Click to expand...

For many LGB models Champex Lindern part number CL60160 seems to be the right cable.
You should find CL60160 near the bottom of the web page below.
http://www.champex-linden.de/cl_pr_zubehoer.htm

Chalk Garden Rail stock a range of Champex Lindern stuff in the U.K.

GRS are also helpful with bits like these.
http://www.grsuk.com
They list plugs and sockets under their code G672, but I suspect these are the older type for LGB locos circa 1975-1985.
 
<p>The sockets can be used for a number of things:</p><p>- Lighting power for coaches</p><p>- Providing DC power to an analogue sound unit - for example one of the LGB sound boxcars or the separate sound modules that LGB and other manufacturers supply</p><p>- Providing an additional source of track power pickup so that the locomotive runs better on dirty track or over points. This is often provided by pickups on the wheels of the coaches or you can add some sliding skates under a freight car. </p><ul><li>You could also use this to supply battery power but keep in mind that this power will also feed back into the rails through the power pick ups (wheels and pick up shoes) on an LGB locomotive. If you want to do this you will need to completely isolate your track from your regular DC throttle. Weird effects or terminal smoke production can happen if you feed power into the output of a throttle.</li><li>You can also double head locomotives. Be careful that they run close to the same speed at the same voltage or you will strain the gearboxes.</li></ul><p>I use all of these techniques. <strong>The most important thing to keep in mind if you connect an external source of power to the locomotive is that the polarity of the external power supply must match that of the locomotive.</strong> I check this with a meter first then colour code the plugs and mark on the lighting socket to show which plug goes where. Be careful if you connect locomotives back to back because the polarity will be different.</p><p>If you are just providing power for lights or a sound car polarity doesn't matter unless the coaches or the sound car has power pickups. </p><p>To answer your other question the metal bar is used to turn the power on and off for the smoke generator.</p><p>Hope this helps .... Barry
</p>
 
<font size="3" face="comic sans ms,sand">I have been backfeeding power to my LGB locos via their lighting sockets, as has been mentioned above, for many years. I have installed LGB ball bearing wheels on all of my rolling stock. It greatly enhanses operation.</font>
 
I am not quite sure of the details but I believe that there is some issue with the amount of current that the connectors/wires used on the sockets on the back of LGB locos can carry, when back feeding power to the loco. More modern LGB locos have a circuit breaker to protect the wires used with these sockets. Possible there is only an issue when there is a short circuit. I am sure someone else on here will know a lot more about this.

Having said that, I use the sockets to back feed power to short wheelbase locos, using rolling stock with pickups. It does seem to make a difference, and I’ve never done any damage to the loco wiring yet.

Regards
Cliff
 
For information:

In my current foray into Tramways!!!!! :o

I am enhancing the pickup of the 4 wheel trams by installing ball bering wheelsets in trailer cars, this then means that ( asuming polarity is correctly connected with the conecting cable between tram & Trailer) the powered car is receiving 8 wheel pickup, thus resulting in improved performance,
I would add that my trams are digital and this arrangement works fine,
 
i use these sockets to connect the locos with the powered tenders.
that evades the situation of a powered tender pushing a powerless loco into a switched-off section. both motors work, till the last pick up is on the dead section.
for cables i use the same type of wire, the LGB powerpacks have to connect the rails.
the plugs are mini "banana"plugs. LGB did sell them.
 
<font color="#000000" size="3" face="comic sans ms,sand">I agree Norm. I use heavier wire than the banana plugs are supplied with. I find that the banana plugs are easier and more robust than the newer square plug and socket. Axel Tillmann at Train-Li has been able to get replacement banana plugs and sockets for me.</font>
 
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