Semi-remote uncoupling

[Madman]

A few months ago, I fitted an LGB 2090 shunting diesel with a remote controlled front coupler.  It was something that came out of my own head.  Here are a few pictures of the mechanism, which has since been modified slightly.  The brown piece of plastic has been changed to a piece of brass wire, due to the lifting string winding itself tight.  The last photo is of the R/C module.  Simple, one button, turns the miniature gear motor on and off via momentary click of the transmitter button.  I`ve also attached a link to a short video I made today of the actual operation outdoors.

http://youtu.be/ItI9VgKGpcU

 

[bobg]

I do like the idea of auto (semi) uncoupling, and it makes sense to fit to locos first, but as I revolve my stock in mixed traffic trains it eventually becomes necessary to fit it to both ends of everything which is hardly practical with the amount of stock I have now. Added to that there's not a lot of room left on R/C steamers, though something that operated both ends together might be possible . . . . . . :-\ :-\ :-\

Now see what you've done! My brain is off at a tangent again.

 

[Madman]

It's good to keep your brain moving, even if it's not on the straight and narrow tangent.

True, I can only uncouple a rake of cars from the loco. But it's a start, to where who knows? I mentioned, in my Youtube description, that there are kinks to be worked out. One of them is that sometimes, the hooks cross one another. This prevents the lowering of the loco hook if it happens to be on top. Another issue is the stiffness of the hook spring on the rolling stock. If it's too stiff, even the LGB permanent uncoupler does work. I am going to try and fix the movement of the LGB permanent uncoupler so that it doesn't move up and down. The movement in these may be part of the problem.

I have been experimenting with using two permanent uncouplers next to one another, as my rolling stock is fitted with hooks at both ends. This works about 75% of the time. Again the stiffness of the spring determines the success.

If all else fails, I will just go back to my stick with the credit card method of uncoupling.

 

[bobg]

I was thinking that as the Steamies are already R/Ced then it shouldn't be too difficult to attach another servo (space for it? Another matter possibly). The servo could have a push/pull rods direct to the couplings. Tres simple, non? But maybe not, need to have a proper look. :-\ :-\