Need Unimate Help for Centipede Installation

[chicken45]

A fellow a$$hat sent me a pair or those 2 holed Unimates for use in my Centipedes.
I'm not sure how to install them.
The hole in the chassis for the coupler/drawbar fits the MTL screws but does not fit the holes in the unimates. Should I drill these out? Should I put threads in them? Are these meant to be used without a coupler box?

[davefoxx]

I'd say drill 'em out to fit the shank of the screw just loose enough to allow the coupler to swing but not sag.  No coupler box needed.

DFF

[eric220]

^ What he said. Remember, this is effectively a "quick release" drawbar.

[chicken45]

Installation was a success! Next thread: how to speed match!

[peteski]

Installation was a success! Next thread: how to speed match!

Mechanically and electronically identical models - they should be perfectly speed-matched right from the factory    If they are not then the problem is most likely mechanical in nature (probably sloppy assembly at the factory).  Spotty electrical pickup can also affect how those locos behave.

[eric220]

In regards to the electrical pickup, since mine are drawbared together, I'm seriously considering running jumpers from one loco to the other.

[chicken45]

Mechanically and electronically identical models - they should be perfectly speed-matched right from the factory    If they are not then the problem is most likely mechanical in nature (probably sloppy assembly at the factory).  Spotty electrical pickup can also affect how those locos behave.

That's kinda what I thought, too. It didn't make sense to me for them to be so different.

[djconway]

Speed matching is a whole new con of worms.
Get a stopwatch and an oval of large enough radius  track, and start time trials.

My 4 M1s matched up very well, less than 1% different on the group
My 8 Atlas GP 9s on the other hand were easy +/- 20% to get them all running at the same speed.

Good luck hope they are close to each other.

[drgw0579]

You don't need a stopwatch or speedometer.  Just two parallel tracks

[djconway]

You don't need a stopwatch or speedometer.  Just two parallel tracks

You sort of do need a stop watch if you match speeds to a set speed based on class.
   Diesel Switchers -- top speed 45
   Steam Switchers -- TS 25
   Diesel road locos Freight first generation-- TS 70
   Diesel helpers first generation -- TS 60
and so on.

Once I have things set up I can set up speeds for step 1 - 25 - 50 - 75 and 99 that all of a given class will match.  -- AND -- Given my selection of points I can MU any thing together at least through the first 25% of the throttle.  YMMV

Periodically running a loco through a speed setup will also help uncover operational problems that may not be obvious.  That loco that hits 35MPH at 50% throttle starts running at 24MPH start looking for a problem.