Any preference in type & make of battery preferred ??

[collectors]

Hi, any preference in type & make of battery preferred ??. I was looking to use lipo, but it seems there are a few things that don't like them in the model train world. So, do you prefer a particular type & make that you find reliable. Thanks.

 

[PhilP]

All batteries need treating with respect.

The chemistry you choose, is more to do with how comfortable you feel with that particular technology. - You need to learn a little about your choice, and treat it with respect, use the correct charger, and don't abuse them.

NiMH is tried and tested.. But you need to be aware of the type you are using..
Standard cells will discharge over time, so you really need to check / top-up, every 3-4 months. - For EVERY pack!
LSD (Low Self Discharge) will hold their charge for many months, so if you charge after a running session, or end of season, they will be fine four months later.

Lithium-based, will attract 'the sky is falling in' tales, of death, destruction, and the end of civilisation as we know it.
Treat them with care. Understand a suitable charger, and my preference is to use a balance-charger. - Some packs, have smarter BMS (Battery Management System) boards, rather than just 'protection' which will do it all for you.

You pays your money, and takes your choice.

Personally, I use both.

PhilP

 

[FatherMcD]

GE Rik has a thorough discussion of battery types in his blog post,
Getting started with battery power and radio control. His years of experience make his perspective well worth reading.

 

[ge_rik]

GE Rik has a thorough discussion of battery types in his blog post,
Getting started with battery power and radio control. His years of experience make his perspective well worth reading.

Thanks for mentioning the blog post. It was a while since I wrote it, so about time I updated it.

Rik

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Lithium Polymer as the OP asked about, is normally the battery in a plastic pouch. They are not rugged unless protected in a case, damage a corner or puncture or even strongly dent it and you can have battery failure, and yes it is possible to overheat enough to catch fire.

Lithium batteries in cylindrical metal cells are much safer for our hobby where they are not in a protected case/housing. Normally these are Lithium Ion, but forget the poly vs ion and just get them in packs of cylindrical cells.

You can determine your "risk factor" yourself. Notice that every other portable device you have is most likely powered with lithium cells.

For small locos and/or sound lithium might be your only choice given space. Larger locos, you have more choice.

Greg

 

[JimmyB]

I started wit LiPo but as Greg Elmassian points out they are in plastic pouch and normally do NOT have any protection systems built in, where Li-Ion packs normally come with a Battery Monitoring System (BMS), so i would consider Li-Ion over LiPo. however to answer your question I have used Turnigy, and have bought my LiPo through:

LiPo

Buy high-performance & branded LiPo batteries including Turnigy and Graphene. We stock 2S up to 6S LiPo batteries at the best prices with quick international shipping.

hobbyking.com

They seem to have a good choice, and provide good details of the battery.

 

[PhilP]

This short-wheelbase 00 loco, comes with a wagon for additional pickup..

But I intend to do away with that:
The receiver/controller is balanced against the coupling bar.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

You can now also buy the battery protection boards separately if you wish from many suppliers. If I had an extreme case, I would use a pouch type, but it would not be my preference.

Greg

 

[Paul M]

Whatever you use, make sure it's not too difficult to remove them. Very occasionally a pack will fail, and it's the one you can't get to!

 

[phils2um]

But I intend to do away with that:

Is that Dave (Idlemarvel) and his ride-on?

 

[dunnyrail]

This short-wheelbase 00 loco, comes with a wagon for additional pickup..
View attachment 298637
But I intend to do away with that:
View attachment 298638The receiver/controller is balanced against the coupling bar.

Just shows what can be done with the smaller scales, sadly sound rarely features in these sort of small conversions but I have seen systems available in USA that feature sound as well but not in such a small loco.

 

[collectors]

Just shows what can be done with the smaller scales, sadly sound rarely features in these sort of small conversions but I have seen systems available in USA that feature sound as well but not in such a small loco.

What sound system are you using? : ''SOUNDS GOOD''

 

[dunnyrail]

What sound system are you using? : ''SOUNDS GOOD''

I am using MLS or whatever chip in my DCC battery conversions. I would imagine that Hornby cheeper DCC sound chips would work with the small loco shown but in UK there are no smaller Battery/DCC rx systems small enough to fit. Then we get to batteries and my dislike for Lipo or Lion battery solutions previously aired in this forum.

 

[JimmyB]

I am using MLS or whatever chip in my DCC battery conversions. I would imagine that Hornby cheeper DCC sound chips would work with the small loco shown but in UK there are no smaller Battery/DCC rx systems small enough to fit. Then we get to batteries and my dislike for Lipo or Lion battery solutions previously aired in this forum.

Laptop, mobile phone, electric toothbrush, battery power tools, battery garden tools, just a selection of lithium powered items, and I am sure you must have at east one of these items

 

[dunnyrail]

Laptop, mobile phone, electric toothbrush, battery power tools, battery garden tools, just a selection of lithium powered items, and I am sure you must have at east one of these items

Indeed I do, I am using my iPod just now that has one such battery. But I have no choice with these things if I want them, I also tend to trust the manufacture of these things. However I do not trust the supply of many of the Lipo and Lion batteries, thus I only use NiMh in my trains. This clearly would restrict their use in smaller models. My views may change over time but not for now.

 

[ge_rik]

....... However I do not trust the supply of many of the Lipo and Lion batteries, .......

My experience of apparent "bargains" for li-ion cells on eBay would endorse this, which is why I only use a reputable supplier such as Ecolux. He will also weld on solder tags.

Rik

 

[JimmyB]

Indeed I do, I am using my iPod just now that has one such battery. But I have no choice with these things if I want them, I also tend to trust the manufacture of these things. However I do not trust the supply of many of the Lipo and Lion batteries, thus I only use NiMh in my trains. This clearly would restrict their use in smaller models. My views may change over time but not for now.

I do buy my Li-Ion from RC trains

 

[PhilP]

I do buy my Li-Ion from RC trains

Like Rik, the cells come from Ecolux, though as my packs tend to be bespoke, I get them tagged/assembled by Strikalite.
I add the BMS, test and overwrap.

PhilP

 

[FatherMcD]

Indeed I do, I am using my iPod just now that has one such battery. But I have no choice with these things if I want them, I also tend to trust the manufacture of these things. However I do not trust the supply of many of the Lipo and Lion batteries, thus I only use NiMh in my trains. This clearly would restrict their use in smaller models. My views may change over time but not for now.

And any of those electronic devices is far more easily replaced than an expensive and often modified model engine, even if costs for some might be comparable. You have to go with your comfort level. I use Tenergy brand batteries and packs in most of my engines. I do have less expensive, but still "name brand" packs in the tenders of some L'il Big Haulers. (Even those are expensive of late!) I rely a great deal on the collective experience of forum members in selecting battery types and usage.