Large Scale Central

Any Users of Phoenix Sound's Automatic Couplers?

General Discussion
#1

I’m working working on a project for a person to install automatic uncouplers onto an LGB Uintah locomotive, front and rear, plus an uncoupler on one end of each of five Uintah rolling stock he’s just bought on eBay. He’s going to design and build an indoor shuttle modular (moveable) layout using computer controlled software for the coupling/uncoupling and switching operations through his Lenz Central Station.

We tried the Kadee self-contained servo uncoupler but it’s too large to use on LGB trucks’ coupler arms. So, the other two options for automatic couplers are: 1. Phoenix Sound’s Remote Knuckle Uncoupler with their Remote Uncoupler Circuit board, or 2. The Massoth automatic hook & loop coupler which appears very reliable. We think the Phoenix uncoupler system looks more realistic than the Massoth hook & loop, but we haven’t yet found much information on the Internet about hobbyists using the Phoenix units. Does anyone on this forum have any experience, good or bad, reliability, etc, with the Phoenix uncoupler system?

#2

I recently designed and printed an adapter for this coupler for an LSC member for an Aristo Consolidation. It will mate with the G scale Kadee’s (900, etc), but you have to smash them together pretty hard to get the Phoenix to engage. I didn’t actually put power to it to test the release.

The one I was using broke in half for no reason along the shaft. I understand they are replacing it.

#3

Eric - Thanks for the very helpful information about the Phoenix couplers. For shuttle operations in very slow loco speed, especially a computer operated layout, requiring fast impacts for coupling isn’t good. The Massoth-brand, LGB style hook & loop automatic coupler, is starting to look like the better option.

Tom

#4

I read your application on another forum Tom.

I would strive to get the Kadee remote coupler mounted on the loco, the other rolling stock can use the “internal” mount.

Actually why not put the remotes on the rolling stock, and normal kadees on the loco if you have to keep the truck mounted coupler on the loco (which I also would disagree with and make a nice body mount for the loco)

Greg

#5

Give Jim a call at Phoenix and ask him about the lastest prototype. The last one I got from him over a year ago, had a softer spring and I’m able to close against a Kadee at slow speed.

#6

For DCC operations:

I used a full featured Zimo decoder (can control 4 servos) and used standard Kadee couplers, jewerly chain, and standard servos on many engines.

I have installed 2 kadees, 2 servos and chains for under $20 total and do not need a special handheld to operate. Added to that is the ‘waltz’ feature of the Zimo decoder which allows the decoder to do all the uncoupling work as follows:

Engine reverses direction, opens coupler than pulls away from car. Now you can reverse direction and ‘hump’ the car with out coupling. pull away and turn off uncoupler mode.

I have posted the CV value changes and can email these to anyone that wants them.

Also one could use the Kadee unit as it is just a servo inside the coupler box.

#7

I think his first issue is that there is no room to truck mount the Kadee coupler/servo unit to the loco.

Now, that coupler unit appears as long as the “slack action” gearbox, but narrower.

I would try to mount that unit first. If not, then I would use the Kadee box that fits and use a separate servo mounted somewhere else and a chain attached to the servo and knuckle.

But if you only want a bolt on solution, I would guess if you cannot fit the servo/coupler kadee unit, your only alternative is the hook and loop, or couplers all compatible with the Phoenix (I think the latter idea is bad, for future compatibility reasons).

Greg

#8

I think there would be an issue using a body-mounted servo with a truck-mounted coupler. The throw on the servo is only 1/4" or so, so it would be difficult to find the right amount of slack that would operate when needed, but not open the coupler when the truck rotates.

#9

Sorry, I was not clear in my suggestion… my bad

if you must go with a truck mount coupler AND the combination coupler/servo box is too deep

THEN

Mount the coupler to the truck mount AND somewhere else on the truck (above, below, off to the side of the coupler) mount the servo.

I cannot remember where I saw it, but the servo was stacked above the truck-mount coupler draft gearbox.

Greg