Kadee 708 Installation guide

#708
Thru -The-Tjes
Delayed - Action
MAGNE-ELECTRIC
UNCOUPLER
ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE YOU BEGIN CAREFULLYREAD THE INSTRUCTIONS AND STUDY THE
ILLUSTRATIONS. Check the package contents and familiarize yourselfwith each part.
If any parts are missing, damaged, or defective please contact Kadee' Quality Products
at the address onthe package.
UPPER TRACK
MOUNTING
PLATE
PACKAGE CONTENTS:
1 each ofthe following:
coil, steel core, bolt and
hex nut,field plate divider,
uppertrack mounting plate,
lowertrackmounting plate,
2 eachfield plates, 4 each
2-56flat head screws.
OTHER ITEMS NEEDED:
These aretobe provided
by the modeler. 8-12volt
DC power pack at least
3 AMPs (per uncoupler),
1/4" and #20 drill bits, fiber
washerswill be needed if
working with code 40 track,
20 gauge wire, Kadee'
#165 are recommended
- Normally Op~en~
Momentary Contact push
button switch, light bulbs
or LEDs of appropriate
voltage, AMP/Voltage
meter, general hobby
tools, wood working tools
for cutting a hole into the
layout base(see text) and
tools tocutthe metal rail if
needed and rail joiners if
you've cutthe rails.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The Kadee®Magne-ElectricUncoupler is designedprimarily foruse with the mostcommon
sizes of flex or sectionaltrack and worksbest on 8-12volt DC current. The Magne-Electric
uncoupler canbe usedanywhere our permanentmagnetDelayed-Actionuncouplers
are installed butits advantage onthe layout isin areaswheretracks are usedmainly for
running "thru" trains(such asa mainline) and onlyoccasionally for uncoupling.Because the
electromagnetic uncoupler is activeonlyduring uncoupling, trainsthat are justpassingthru
won't uncoupleover itby accident. For moreideas on locatinguncouplers, see "Where to
PlaceUncouplingRamps".
1/4" DRILL
FIG. 2
USE WITHOUT .010'
WASHERS FOR
CODE 70OR66
TRACK
TRACK WITH
HOLE CUT
OUT
GLUE
TOGETHER
FIG. 3
NOTE: Some inexpensive power packs maynot supply the3 Ampsnecessary. To check
the actual voltage measure across the transformersterminalswhen the uncoupler is
energize.
To avoid overheating andto assure reliable operation the uncoupler must have an
electrical source ofat least 3 Amps andno more than 12 volts DC.Donot energize
continuously for more than two minutes, or overheating will occur.
ASSEMBLY & INSTALLATION:
-1. After determining-where you want to install the uncoupler you willhave to cut a hole in the
layout 1 1/16"wide and2 7/8"longthat isin linewith the track. Ifyou alreadyhavetrack(with
or withoutroadbed)down,remove a section ofit down tothe layoutbaseaccording tothe
dimensionsshown in Fig. 2.Ifyou have yettoputany trackdown,waituntil the hole in layout
is complete. After location of track,ties and hole are clearlymarkedwith a pencil,take a hand
or powerdrillwith1/4"drillinstalled and make a series of holesalong the dimensionallines of
the holearea.Overlapthese drill holesoften. After drilling,take a sharpchisel and carvedown
thru the non-overlappingholesuntilcenterdrops out smoothroughedgeswith a mediumfile
or flatchisel.
2. Next,inspect the lowertrackmountingplate foruse (Figs.1 & 3). This H0n3-H0 plate can
be used.However, itmay need tobe narrowedslightly ifyouuse roadbed. Be sure anduse
side of plate as indicated inthe illustrations.
3. We recommend flex or sectionaltrack-beusedwith the uncoupler for ease of application
and strength,althoughhandlaidrail canbe usedalso.First, usea trackcutter,razor saw
(hacksaw), ora minipower tool (Dremel®type)with a metal cutting disc attachment
(always use proper eye protection), tocutthe railjustover 3 1/4"long(Fig. 3)and test fitit
into thegap between your layoutrails.File offany excessuntilrailjoints fit snugly.Second,
assembleuncouplerparts(Fig. 1)and checkassembly to makesureeverythingfits. Itmay
be necessary to trim the runner off uppertrackmountingplate.Withbolt andnut moderately
secure butnot realtight,turnuncouplerassemblyupsidedown andtapon flatsurface.This
will setthe fieldplatesevenwith the uppertrackmountingplate.Now,tighten upnutand bolt
firmly and unscrew the trackmountingplates. Set aside.Third, you willneed a hole inthe ties
wideenough and longenough to accommodate the fieldplate/coilassembly.Trimties ona
hard, non-givingsurface to avoidbrokenspikes inthe case of flex or sectionaltrack 'or split
ties inthe case of handlaidwoodties.Fourth,glueties tothe lowertrackmountingplate(Fig.
3). Contactcementworkswellwithwood,plastic or Delrinties. Be sureties are centered on
plate,then let glue dry thoroughly. Fifth, in case of hand laid ties,glue,ratherthanspike, the
rail tothe ties. Cyano-Acrylate workswell asan adhesive for thisapplication.
BEFOREAFTER
FIG'3A
TRIMMINGTRIMMING
4. Before finalassembly,notethat the uppertrackmountingplate, by itself, is applicable to
trackwithcode 70or66 rail. For code 55 rail, use includedwashersbetween upper trackplate
and fieldplatedivider.Narrowthesewashers as shown in Fig. 3Aso theywill fit betweenfield
plates and restflatly on fieldplatedivider. For railsizessmallerthancode 55,see "Assembly
Modifications".

COVER LOWERMOUNTING
PLATE WITHBLAST
FIG. 4
5. After all partshavebeenprepared,assemble in sequence as illustrated in Fig. 3. Install
metalrailjoiners atthe ends ofthe rails onthe layout,pushthem asfar back as they'll go.
Loweruncouplerassemblyintoplace(Fig. 3)and pull rail joinersoverrailjoints.
6.Ifyou haveinstalleduncoupler on roadbed,fill the gapsbetweenlowertrackmountingplate
and layoutbasewithsections of roadbedtrimmed to fit. Youmay wish toadd someglue to
thesesections for rigidity. Ifyou have installed uncouplerdirectly to layoutbase, youmay wish
to spike or gluelowertrackplatedown for strength.Now,coverplatewithballastglued in place
withwhiteglue. See Fig.4.
ASSEMBLY MODIFICATIONS:
Althoughthisuncoupler is designed, asis,foruse with the largerrailsizes, itcanbe modified
to be compatiblewithsmallerrail-evendown to code 40 size.This is accomplished, in simple
terms, by lowering the fieldplate/coreassembly and thinningdown the uppertrackplate so
thatthey are evenwith the height ofthe rail.
1. Assembleuncouplercompletelyminuslowertrackmountingplate and track. Be sure and
use the included.010"thickwashers as shown in Figs. 1and3.
2.Add extrafiberwashers(notincluded)between the uppertrackmountingplate andthe field
platedivider. The thickness of thesewashers canbe determined by subtracting the height of
the rail youare usingfrom the thickness ofthe uppertrackmountingplateends.
For example, theendofthe upper trackplate is .055"thick and let's saythe rail you want to
use is code 40 (.040")high.055"minus.040"equals.015". Use washer(s)equal to .015"thick.
3. Afterassembly,notethat thetopofthe fieldplates isnow lowerthan the ends ofthe upper
track plate. Take a sandingblock,firstwithcoarsesandpaper, and slowlysanddownthese
ends until almost evenwith thetopofthe fieldplates.Finishsandingdownevenusing a fine
grit sandpaper(Fig. A.)
COUNTER
SINK
WITH
#20
DRILL
FIG. B
4. Finishmodification by taking a #20 drill and countersinking theend holes inthe mounting
plate as shown in Fig. B. Twistdrillslowly by handusing a shavingactionratherthancutting
action to preventgoing alltheway thru the hole.
WIRING:
After installinguncoupler inthe track,it'stime for hooking itup electrically for use. You will
have to wire the uncouplercoil totheDC side ofa powerpackthru a pushbuttonswitch(not
included) the Kadee#165(N.O)normallyopenpushbuttonswitches are recommended, see
Fig. X.The pushbuttonswitchneeds tobea singlepole,singlethrow(SPST)momentary
contacttype and should be able to handle at least 3 amp,8-12volts DCthe Kadee#165meet
the requirements. For additionalinformation, refer to Kalmbachbook"How to Wire Your Model
Railroad" by LinnWestcott.Pushbuttonswitches are availablethruhobbyshops or radio/
electronicsstores.
Use insulated #20AWG wire for hook up.Get colorcodedwire to avoidcross-wiring. Study
wiring diagram(Fig. X)for connecting 1,2,3 or moreuncouplers.Alsokeep in mindthat all
hook-up wiresmust be stripped of insulationwherever it connectswithanotherwire.Wires
from the uncouplercoilhave a thincoating of insulationwhichmust be scrapped
off whenhooking upfor electricalcontact.First, runa wire from oneDC powerpack
DC SINGLE NORMALLY OPEN
SWITCH MOMENTARY
HOOK-UP14-20VOLTCONTACTPUSH
.2 AMP BULBBUTTONSWITCH
3 AMP
POWER PACK
DC
L2
AC
00
UNCOUPLERCOIL
20AWG WIRES
FIG.X
2, 3 OR
MORE
SWITCH
HOOK-UP
POWER
PACK
.DER _j3Zr^X.
NTS WITH o4^
SOLDER
JOINTS WITH
ROSIN CORE SOLDER
terminal straight tooneofthetwo wires atthe uncouplercoil.Twistthispowerpackwire
and coilwiretogether.Remember the powerpack hastobe largeenough to provide
3 AMPs per uncouplerbeingused atthe same time. Second, runa wirefrom the power
pack DC terminal tooneofthetwo leads atthe pushbuttonswitch. Twist thispowerpack
wire onto the lead.Third,twist a length of wireonto the otherpushbutton lead longenough
to reach the remainingunconnectedwire atthe uncoupler coil. (Optional light bulb orLED
canbe placed in this section of wire as show in Fig. X to visually showwhen the circuit is
active) Twistthis wire from the pushbutton and coilwiretogether. You should nowbe able to
operate the uncoupler by activating the pushbutton.Tryoutaccording to "Operation"section
and then if desired,solder all twisted wire connectionswithrosincoresolder,1/16"size,Fig. Y.
OPERATION:
WARNING: Donotusethe electricuncouplercontinually, but ratherintermittentlywithperiods
of timebetweenuses. "DO NOT"activate the uncoupler for longerthan "2 MINUTES" at
one time.Thiswillavoidpossibleoverheatingwhichwilldamage the uncoupler.
To uncouple,pull or pushcoupledcars/locomotives toa stoppedposition ata pointwhere the
connected couplers are directly over the uncoupler, allowing slack to occurbetween the couplers.
Energize.the uncoupler(pushbutton),Knuckleswillopen,Withdrawslightly to disengage the
couplers. Theywillstayopen as long asthe uncoupler is activated(energized). Nowyoucan
enter overuncoupleragain,couplers arein "delayed"positionallowing youto push"spot" the
car as long asyou continue the pressureagainst the opencouplers to desiredlocation.Release
the (pushbutton)aftercouplers areinthe "delayed"position oryouare finisheduncoupling.
Enter over uncoupler again,
couplers arein delayed
position allowing pushing of
car(s) without causing
re-coupling.
Withdraw, leaving uncoupled
car(s) on desired track.
Couplers automatically return
to normal coupling position.
Quality Products Co.673 Avenue C,
061113 White City, OR 97503-1078
Made inthe U.S.A.
©2013, Kadee' QualityProducts Co.