Making an adaptor for wheel cleaning.

1938 Views 10 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Petal, May 24, 2008

double00

Discussion Starter · May 19, 2008

What suggestions please, to make up an adaptor to feed 12v power to diesel locomotives, for easier wheel cleaning! Or is there a commercial product to enable wheel cleaning?

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QUOTE (double00 @ 19 May 2008, 18:33) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>What suggestions please, to make up an adaptor to feed 12v power to diesel locomotives, for easier wheel cleaning! Or is there a commercial product to enable wheel cleaning?

Hi,

A question I wished I had asked. Both steam and diesel locos could do with terminals which could be concealed under a hatch/opening for the power leads to be fed/affixed. The diesel is the simplest, using the fuel tank, or central area where there is no fuel tank. The steam loco could have the same under the tender, which is even more easily done as dcc components are now been put in the tender.

All these would require a bit further design work and extra wiring (things to go wrong) but would be worth it in the end.

Cheers,

Hugh

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John Webb

· #3 · May 19, 2008

There are several ways wheel-cleaning can be done. They usually involve turning the loco (steam or diesel) upside down. You can use a narrow box with a bit of foam in a 'U' shape to hold the loco without damaging the exterior.

At one time it was possible to get a wheel-cleaning brush - looked like a giant toothbrush with two bunches of wire bristles separated by foam plastic and two wires coming out of the handle which were connected to the controller output. The brush was applied across a pair of driving wheels and the controller turned on. The power was applied via the metal bristles to the wheels causing them to rotate and cleaning them at the same time.

The only item I am aware of currently available is from Peco; this is a metal bristle brush and a metal scraper. The principle is the same - these supply current to the loco while cleaning the wheels. (PL-40 is the Peco part number) They also do a U-shaped foam Loco servicing cradle (PL-70) but a box and a sheet of foam is cheaper.

I recollect someone a year or two ago mentioning a device which you lower the loco wheels onto - try using the Forum search facility by typing in 'wheel cleaning' and see what you get.

Regards,
John Webb

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TonyDaly

· #4 · May 19, 2008

I think Trix & Conrad make such a device.It picks up power by sitting it on the track & you lower the loco onto it to clean the wheels.The Conrad model is the cheaper of the two even though they both look alike.Try here for the Trix model

http://www.helmutshobbies.com/trix_accessory_shop.htm

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Brian Considine

· #5 · May 20, 2008

The Trix version is still available - not too sure of the number though !

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Brian Considine

· #6 · May 20, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

QUOTE (Hugh Williams @ 19 May 2008, 18:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Both steam and diesel locos could do with terminals which could be concealed under a hatch/opening for the power leads to be fed/affixed.
That would also make fault finding easy too (especially "sticky motion" on steam loco's) - the socket could be as small as the ones on th Faller Roadway Vehicles which are very small & would be virtually "unseen".

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Brian

· #7 · May 20, 2008 (Edited by Moderator)

QUOTE (Brian Considine @ 20 May 2008, 11:50) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The Trix version is still available - not too sure of the number though !
Gaugemaster usualy sell it. Currently out of stock! Trix wheel cleaner

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Chinahand

· #8 · May 21, 2008

Does anyone know of anything similar for N Gauge ??

Alternatively is it possible to use the Trix unit with N Gauge locos by 'hot wiring' the rail contacts to a take-off from a DCC controller ??

Cheers,

Expat.

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7113

· #9 · May 21, 2008

QUOTE (Expat @ 21 May 2008, 08:15) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Does anyone know of anything similar for N Gauge ??

Yes - Trix do it in N as well. (under Minitrix branding)

Regards

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Chinahand

· #10 · May 21, 2008

QUOTE (BRITHO @ 21 May 2008, 13:07) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Yes - Trix do it in N as well. (under Minitrix branding)

Regards

Thanks Britho,

Trevor

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Petal

· #11 · May 24, 2008

There is also "The wheel Doctor". Bit pricey though
http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product_in...products_id=600

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