Do Kadee magnetic uncouplers create any problems when a layout is using DCC?

-- Robert Shields (RSHIE24439@aol.com), November 12, 1998

Answers

I would run a separate bus to power your Kadee uncouplers.

-- Allan Gartner (wire4dcc_admin@comcast.net), April 16, 2004.

Robert,

NOT that I've experienced. I assume you might refer to the Kadee electromagnetic uncoupler. The little permanent magnetics and the under track plate all work fine for me. I don't use the Kadee electro unit. (I do have some electromagnetic uncouplers on parts of my main that I hand built a'la the Gil Freitag method). Those don't interfere with the DCC signals that I've experienced. I suppose there is some possible ranges of interference that might occur. I'll leave it to the hardware electronics types to plunge those depths. Based on my experience with my own layout and several clubs running DCC and using Kadee uncouplers - you need not worry. -ed mccamey-

-- Ed McCamey (emccamey@cheerful.com), November 12, 1998.

Can I operate the Kadee electro magnetic uncouplers off the SAME 12 or 14g DCC wire that I'm running my trains on?Or do I have to run another buss wire seperatly to operate the ramps?

-- m ike bonelli (mikebonellisr@yahoo.com), April 16, 2004.

I would not operate the uncoupling magnets from the DCC track bus for 2 reasons. The electromagnets may draw significant power, more than 1 or 2 amps at the nominal 14 Vac or so of DCC. This could cause your booster to cut out on a momentary overload. Using the booster is an expensive means of providing this power. On the other hand, you may find that at the DCC AC frequency, the inductance of the electromagnet coil prevents it from drawing enough current to be effective as an uncoupler. How the coil is wound (resistance and inductance) will affect results. But you can't really harm anything by trying. If your uncoupler magnets work OK on 14 Vac give it a try. Let us know what happens. DonV

You would be better off s or 2

-- Don Vollrath (dvollrath@magnetek.com), April 20, 2004.

I find that the Kadee uncoupler sends a signal that causes some of my SwitchIt turnout controllers to trigger!

-- Bruce Jaeger (Bruce@mscb.com), May 29, 2004.