G'd day all
I have always built chassis with wire pickups, however I recently bought a kit-built model to strip and convert into a LNER loco, and the chassis has plunger pickups. The bare chassis runs very well on my test track.
Does anyone have any views on such pick-ups?
Are they worth trying in my next chassis?
I welcome any views, both positive and negative.
Earlswood nob (looking forward to an uninterrupted day's modelling, the first for a while)
PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Moderators: 52D, Tom F, Rlangham, Atlantic 3279, Blink Bonny, Saint Johnstoun, richard
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earlswood nob
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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jwealleans
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
I was warned off them when building my first Gibson kit and have never tried them again.
The advice (from a professional loco builder) was that they act like brakes and aren't worth the time setting up compared to the light pressure of some springy wire.
In 7mm they seem to be de rigeur but I have never owned or (to the best of my knowledge) seen a 4m loco with them, so I stick to what I know works.
If yours work and you can do what you need to do without disturbing them then do. I'd be tempted to find a way of spacing them off the wheels and see whether it runs better without them bearing on the backs, though.
The advice (from a professional loco builder) was that they act like brakes and aren't worth the time setting up compared to the light pressure of some springy wire.
In 7mm they seem to be de rigeur but I have never owned or (to the best of my knowledge) seen a 4m loco with them, so I stick to what I know works.
If yours work and you can do what you need to do without disturbing them then do. I'd be tempted to find a way of spacing them off the wheels and see whether it runs better without them bearing on the backs, though.
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Bill Bedford
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Plungers work as well as any other pickup system. The thing to watch out for is that the wire that connects the pickup to the loco's electrical buss has to be very flexible. Otherwise it will overcome the force of the plunger spring.
Bill Bedford
Website: http://www.mousa.biz
Webshop: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/mousa_models
Blog: http://www.mousa.biz/info
Website: http://www.mousa.biz
Webshop: http://www.shapeways.com/shops/mousa_models
Blog: http://www.mousa.biz/info
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Blink Bonny
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Ay up!
I tried them on a High Level Pug and could not get them to work. The only way I could get that to work was to glue pieces of copperclad under the running plate and use wire wipers. Having said that, Airfix used them with some success on their locos and their use has been continued by Hornby, despite retooling the chassis to take new motors.
Have a go - maybe on a chassis with more "meat" around the mounts it may work but it made the Pug chassis too flimsy.
I tried them on a High Level Pug and could not get them to work. The only way I could get that to work was to glue pieces of copperclad under the running plate and use wire wipers. Having said that, Airfix used them with some success on their locos and their use has been continued by Hornby, despite retooling the chassis to take new motors.
Have a go - maybe on a chassis with more "meat" around the mounts it may work but it made the Pug chassis too flimsy.
If I ain't here, I'm in Bilston, scoffing decent chips at last!!!!
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65447
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
They worked fine on my Rovex 'Princess' 
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Blink Bonny
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Ay up!
They're a different type of plunger.
The ones we are discussing rub on the back of the tyre, although I agree that this type of plunger DOES work!
They're a different type of plunger.
The ones we are discussing rub on the back of the tyre, although I agree that this type of plunger DOES work!
If I ain't here, I'm in Bilston, scoffing decent chips at last!!!!
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earlswood nob
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Good morning all
Thanks for all the replies.
I shall give plunger pickups a miss for a while, as most of the locos that I'm building have pretty slim chassis. However, the next SE Finecast 8w tender chassis that I build might be a candidate, as its a pretty hefty chunk of nickel-silver.
Earlswood nob
Thanks for all the replies.
I shall give plunger pickups a miss for a while, as most of the locos that I'm building have pretty slim chassis. However, the next SE Finecast 8w tender chassis that I build might be a candidate, as its a pretty hefty chunk of nickel-silver.
Earlswood nob
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Blink Bonny
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Ay up, EN!
That gives me an idea. Do you reckon a DJH chassis will be hefty enough for plungers?
That gives me an idea. Do you reckon a DJH chassis will be hefty enough for plungers?
If I ain't here, I'm in Bilston, scoffing decent chips at last!!!!
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earlswood nob
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
G'day BB
The chassis I bought with plunger pickups was a Kays chassis, and the brass frames are about the same thickness as DJH frames, so I shouldn't think it would flex.
Thinking along those lines, I do have a Gibson chassis waiting to replace a cast chassis in a NuCast V1/3. The Gibson sideframes are thicker than the brass that I normally use, so they might be a candidate for plunger pickups.
Earlswood nob
PS. Whilst it's good to have the reputation for being an expert on my family history, it is time consuming. I've been answering emails for over two hours this morning.
The chassis I bought with plunger pickups was a Kays chassis, and the brass frames are about the same thickness as DJH frames, so I shouldn't think it would flex.
Thinking along those lines, I do have a Gibson chassis waiting to replace a cast chassis in a NuCast V1/3. The Gibson sideframes are thicker than the brass that I normally use, so they might be a candidate for plunger pickups.
Earlswood nob
PS. Whilst it's good to have the reputation for being an expert on my family history, it is time consuming. I've been answering emails for over two hours this morning.
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Blink Bonny
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Ay up!
Mrs BB finds the same, she being the genealogist of the two of us. My involvement is limited to the railway subjects but then that is my speciality. Oh, and Yorkshire!
I have a Finecast Crab on a Gibson chassis and some tine ago I investigated the possibility of fitting a High Level gearbox to remove the motor-in-the-cab syndrome. I found that not even their "slimline" gearboxes, intended for 3mm would fit. I've never had any luck with Gibson's own gearboxes which would fit. And yes, I would love it to have a clear cab but I'm too tight for a Comet Chassis.
Any idea where I'm going wrong?
Mrs BB finds the same, she being the genealogist of the two of us. My involvement is limited to the railway subjects but then that is my speciality. Oh, and Yorkshire!
I have a Finecast Crab on a Gibson chassis and some tine ago I investigated the possibility of fitting a High Level gearbox to remove the motor-in-the-cab syndrome. I found that not even their "slimline" gearboxes, intended for 3mm would fit. I've never had any luck with Gibson's own gearboxes which would fit. And yes, I would love it to have a clear cab but I'm too tight for a Comet Chassis.
Any idea where I'm going wrong?
If I ain't here, I'm in Bilston, scoffing decent chips at last!!!!
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earlswood nob
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Hi there BB
I build Gibson chassis with Comet spacers and hornblocks if needed. The Gibson hornblocks were tried once and then forgotten.
The High Level gearboxes fit when matched with Comet spacers, there isn't much sideplay for 00 axles, but if the bushes/hornblocks are filed down slightly, my locos (well most of them) will negotiate points.
I wouldn't replace a chassis, if I didn't have anything to fit the old chassis. That would be a waste of money.
Earlswood nob
I build Gibson chassis with Comet spacers and hornblocks if needed. The Gibson hornblocks were tried once and then forgotten.
The High Level gearboxes fit when matched with Comet spacers, there isn't much sideplay for 00 axles, but if the bushes/hornblocks are filed down slightly, my locos (well most of them) will negotiate points.
I wouldn't replace a chassis, if I didn't have anything to fit the old chassis. That would be a waste of money.
Earlswood nob
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Blink Bonny
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
Ay up, EN!
Now that gives me ideas......
Mrs BB - No you don't!
Now that gives me ideas......
Mrs BB - No you don't!
If I ain't here, I'm in Bilston, scoffing decent chips at last!!!!
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earlswood nob
- LNER A4 4-6-2 'Streak'
- Posts: 1667
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:23 am
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Re: PLUNGER PICK-UPS
G'day all
Revamping this old thread:
I am currently building a SEF Buckjumper, and as it's small there is not much room on the chassis for fitting brake gear, pickups, etc.
I decided to fit plunger pickups, and after several failed attempts, I got some very fine flexible wire to use as connectors, which works well.
I don't think that the plunger rubbing on the wheel back produces more friction that wire edge wipers.
I shall have to fit plungers to one of my edge wiper fitted locos to test for differences.
Earlswood Nob
Revamping this old thread:
I am currently building a SEF Buckjumper, and as it's small there is not much room on the chassis for fitting brake gear, pickups, etc.
I decided to fit plunger pickups, and after several failed attempts, I got some very fine flexible wire to use as connectors, which works well.
I don't think that the plunger rubbing on the wheel back produces more friction that wire edge wipers.
I shall have to fit plungers to one of my edge wiper fitted locos to test for differences.
Earlswood Nob