This product is perfect for use in making sound cars and for adding interior lighting to passenger cars and cabooses. They offer the reliability of 8-wheel pick-up and are suitable for use with DC or DCC power supplies. Best of all, since they are track powered, we now have the ability to add function decoders to our cars to control interior and marker lights. Place a resistor across the contacts and they can be used instead of resistance wheel sets to trigger DCC signal detection devices like the NCE BD20. The uses for this contact are endless. Have fun!
The F4W-ATH has been designed to work with Athearn, Atlas, Kato, Life-Like Proto and similar four wheel trucks used on HO-Scale freight cars. They are designed to fit trucks with 0.800 inch wheel center spacing and use a 0.250 diameter bolster mounting head. They also have a lug with a 0.018 diameter hole for thru-hole mounting of the decoder or other wire leads. This hole size is appropriate for 28ga to 34ga wire as used on most decoders. The contacts are made from photo-etched phosphor-bronze and are shipped flat.
The F4W-ATL has been designed to work with Atlas R-T-R, Branchline, Kato, Life-Like and similar four wheel trucks used on HO-Scale freight cars. They are designed to fit trucks with 0.780 inch wheel center spacing and use a 0.225 diameter bolster mounting head. They also have a lug with a 0.018 diameter hole for thru-hole mounting of the decoder or other wire leads. This hole size is appropriate for 28ga to 34ga wire as used on most decoders. The contacts are made from photo-etched phosphor-bronze and are available flat or formed.
I am offering many different versions of the contact so that you can choose the style that will best suit your needs. The versions include:
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F4W-ATH - for Athearn, Atlas Trainman, Accurail, Exactrail, Walthers and Other 4-wheel Freight Trucks
(NOTE: this version can be installed using the 4-40 mounting screw available in the 4-40 Hardware Kit)
(NOTE: this version requires a 2-56 screw and insulating washer in addition to the 4-40 mounting screw available in the P6W-ATH Hardware Kit)
(NOTE: this version can be installed using the factory kingpin or the 4-40 mounting screw available in the 4-40 Hardware Kit)
The unformed contacts require just a bit of secondary processing before they are ready for use. First, they must be formed into shape. This can be accomplished using a variety of tools ranging from a pair of pliers to a Micro-Mark 16101 Mini Bending Brake. Your choice. Second, and completely optional, heat-treat the parts by baking in the oven at 450F for 45 minutes. This will help them retain their shape over time.
Collecting track power from your trucks has never been easier. First remove the trucks from your project and car and replace the plastic wheels sets with metal wheel sets that are insulated on both sides. Next, drill a hole behind the frame bolster to feed wires from inside the car body to the truck contacts. Feed the wires through the hole and solder the red and black track power leads from any DCC decoder to the lug on the truck contacts. Next, place an insulating washer (or other non-conductive material) between the contacts. Then, secure the contacts and truck to the frame with original screw. Last, install a set of SBS Metal Wheel Sets in the truck and make sure they are isolated by checking for continuity between wheels with a multi-meter.
Finally. A clean and easy way to power a decoder or interior lighting kit using track power in your freight and passenger cars.
YEAH! No more batteries.
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