Kadee 708 Assembly & Instruction Manual

#
708
Thru -The-Tjes
Delayed - Action
MAGNE-ELECTRIC
UNCOUPLER
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE YOU BEGIN CAREFULLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS AND STUDY THE
ILLUSTRATIONS. Check the package contents and familiarize yourself with each part.
If any parts are missing, damaged, or defective please contact Kadee' Quality Products
at the address on the package.
UPPER TRACK
MOUNTING
PLATE
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
1 each of the following:
coil, steel core, bolt and
hex nut, field plate divider,
uppertrack mounting plate,
lower track mounting plate,
2 each field plates, 4 each
2-56 flat head screws.
OTHER ITEMS NEEDED:
These are to be provided
by the modeler. 8-12 volt
DC power pack at least
3 AMPs (per uncoupler),
1/4" and #20 drill bits, fiber
washers will be needed if
working with code 40 track,
20 gauge wire, Kadee'
#165 are recommended
- N o r m a l l y Op~en~
Momentary Contact push
button switch, light bulbs
or LEDs of appropriate
voltage, AMP/Voltage
meter, general hobby
tools, wood working tools
for cutting a hole into the
layout base (see text) and
tools to cut the metal rail if
needed and rail joiners if
you've cut the rails.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Kadee® Magne-Electric Uncoupler is designed primarily for use with the most common
sizes of flex or sectional track and works best on 8-12 volt DC current. The Magne-Electric
uncoupler can be used anywhere our permanent magnet Delayed-Action uncouplers
are installed but its advantage on the layout is in areas where tracks are used mainly for
running "thru" trains (such as a mainline) and only occasionally for uncoupling. Because the
electromagnetic uncoupler is active only during uncoupling, trains that are just passing thru
won't uncouple over it by accident. For more ideas on locating uncouplers, see "Where to
Place Uncoupling Ramps".
1/4" DRILL
FIG. 2
USE WITHOUT .010'
WASHERS FOR
CODE 70 OR 66
TRACK
TRACK WITH
HOLE CUT
OUT
GLUE
TOGETHER
FIG. 3
NOTE: Some inexpensive power packs may not supply the 3 Amps necessary. To check
the actual voltage measure across the transformers terminals when the uncoupler is
energize.
To avoid overheating and to assure reliable operation the uncoupler must have an
electrical source of at least 3 Amps and no more than 12 volts DC. Do not energize
continuously for more than two minutes, or overheating will occur.
ASSEMBLY & INSTALLATION:
-1. After determining-where you want to install the uncoupler you will have to cut a hole in the
layout 1 1/16" wide and 2 7/8" long that is in line with the track. If you already have track (with
or without roadbed) down, remove a section of it down to the layout base according to the
dimensions shown in Fig. 2. If you have yet to put any track down, wait until the hole in layout
is complete. After location of track, ties and hole are clearly marked with a pencil, take a hand
or power drill with 1/4" drill installed and make a series of holes along the dimensional lines of
the hole area. Overlap these drill holes often. After drilling, take a sharp chisel and carve down
thru the non-overlapping holes until center drops out smooth rough edges with a medium file
or flat chisel.
2. Next, inspect the lower track mounting plate for use (Figs.1 & 3). This H0n3-H0 plate can
be used. However, it may need to be narrowed slightly if you use roadbed. Be sure and use
side of plate as indicated in the illustrations.
3. We recommend flex or sectional track-be used with the uncoupler for ease of application
and strength, although hand laid rail can be used also. First, use a track cutter, razor saw
(hack saw), or a mini power tool (Dremel® type) with a metal cutting disc attachment
(always use proper eye protection), to cut the rail just over 3 1/4" long (Fig. 3) and test fit it
into the gap between your layout rails. File off any excess until rail joints fit snugly. Second,
assemble uncoupler parts (Fig. 1) and check assembly to make sure everything fits. It may
be necessary to trim the runner off upper track mounting plate. With bolt and nut moderately
secure but not real tight, turn uncoupler assembly upside down and tap on flat surface. This
will set the field plates even with the upper track mounting plate. Now, tighten up nut and bolt
firmly and unscrew the track mounting plates. Set aside. Third, you will need a hole in the ties
wide enough and long enough to accommodate the field plate/coil assembly. Trim ties on a
hard, non-giving surface to avoid broken spikes in the case of flex or sectional track 'or split
ties in the case of hand laid wood ties. Fourth, glue ties to the lower track mounting plate (Fig.
3). Contact cement works well with wood, plastic or Delrin ties. Be sure ties are centered on
plate, then let glue dry thoroughly. Fifth, in case of hand laid ties, glue, rather than spike, the
rail to the ties. Cyano-Acrylate works well as an adhesive for this application.
BEFORE AFTER
FIG
'
3A
TRIMMING TRIMMING
4. Before final assembly, note that the upper track mounting plate, by itself, is applicable to
track with code 70 or 66 rail. For code 55 rail, use included washers between upper track plate
and field plate divider. Narrow these washers as shown in Fig. 3A so they will fit between field
plates and rest flatly on field plate divider. For rail sizes smaller than code 55, see "Assembly
Modifications".