Model Railway PCB Wheel Pickups — Large

Description

Model Railway PCB Wheel Pickups — Large

Copper PCB pickups for model railways. These standard-size cross-shaped pickups (17mm × 17mm) make reliable electrical contact with locomotive wheels, perfect for powering locos or adding lighting to coaches.

How it works:

1. Position the pickup so the extended tab (long end) touches the back of the wheel
2. Secure using the mounting hole with a small screw into the chassis, or simply stick in place with adhesive
3. Solder your wire to the pad near the mounting hole
4. The copper contact pad picks up power directly from the wheel

Specifications:

• Size: 17mm × 17mm
• Material: Copper PCB
• Mounting: Screw hole or adhesive
• Pack sizes: 5, 10, 25, or 50 pickups

Perfect for:

• Scratchbuilt locomotives
• Adding coach lighting
• Standard scale locos and coaches
• Reliable power pickup — use multiple pickups per wheel for greater reliability

Large or Small — which size do you need?

Our Small wheel pickups (7mm x 8.5mm) suit tight bogies, TT and N gauge models. If your chassis has room, the Large 17mm x 17mm pickups give a bigger contact area and are easier to handle. See both sizes in the Wheel Pickups range.

Frequently asked questions

How do I attach the pickup to the chassis?

Use a small screw through the mounting hole, or stick the pickup in place with a suitable adhesive. Position it so the extended tab touches the back of the wheel.

Where do I solder the wire?

Solder your wire to the pad near the mounting hole for a clean, reliable connection.

Will these work with my OO/HO gauge loco?

Yes. Because each pickup is positioned individually, they fit any axle spacing, so there is no need to match a fixed wiper strip to your wheelbase.

How many pickups do I need?

For coach lighting, two pickups (one per rail) per coach are typical. For a loco you can add multiple pickups per wheel for greater reliability.

What is the difference between the Large and Small pickups?

The Large pickups measure 17mm x 17mm, giving a bigger contact area for roomier chassis. The Small pickups (7mm x 8.5mm) fit tight bogies and TT/N gauge models.