NEM362 magnetic coupler

Current conducting coupler for modeltrain are expensive. So both hobbyists and commercial vendors came up with the idea of a magnetic, current conducting coupler. This is my take on the that concept. What you need per car, so for two couplers:

• Two coupler body prints
• Four 3mm by 6mm round magnets (for example: https://www.supermagnete.nl/staafmagneten-neodymium/staafmagneet-3mm-6mm_S-03-06-N)
• Very thin wire (0,04mm2), two pieces
• Super glue

Before assembly make sure the hole in the print are free of debris and the magnets can slide in all the way.

1. Take a previously made or commercial magnetic coupler and put two magnets on that coupler. This will ensure the polarity is correct and easy pushing the magnets in
2. Strip ~1 cm of both wire pieces
3. Twist the stripped ends
4. Insert the stripped end in each hole in the coupler body from the back, such that the edge of the isolation aligns with the back of the hole
5. Fold the bit of stripped wire that stick out in front back outside the body. These can be held in place with your nail.
6. Put a drop of superglue in the hole, on the wire.
7. Push the magnets in all the way, making sure the tops of the couplers are aligned

The magnets should be in opposite polarity, so a loose magnet should be rejected from one and be attracted to the other.

When installing the couplers in the train make sure you don't cross the wires. Doing so may make it hard to prevent a short when multiple coaches have current pick up. If everything is wired up straight rotating the coach that shorts should solve the problem.

Material cost are around 50 cents…