Battery control Wagon, Multi use, multi power, Multi loco

[Granitechops]

<p> </p><p>BUT</p><p>testing is good</p><p>although I have wider wagons & coaches</p><p> </p><p>non of them are as wide as low down as this one</p><p> so</p><p>there are issues, with the hinge covers ( cosmetic) on the truss bridge, (minimal)</p><p>loose lineside rocks need trimming back, ( maintenance)</p><p>moss growth, slowing up progress uphill, but having less effect downhill (hoeing!!)</p><p>The Garratt has the same batteries in it , but upright rather than on their sides, so is narrower at track level than this wagon.</p><p>I wanted to loose the height a smuch as possible for the load cover for this one, hence on its side</p>

 

[Bram]

That's a very neat idea Don, do you have any inclines and if so how does the engine cope with that wieght on the back

 

[Granitechops]

<p> </p><p>I do indeed have inclines</p><p> one at 1 in 20</p><p>goes up no problem</p><p> </p><p>the garratt made from 2 stainz has pulled 60 plus axles up there</p><p>& the garratt itself weighs in at 39 lbs, without the train weight</p><p> </p><p>smaller engines will need more weight in for half that load though</p>

 

[Granitechops]

fixed hopper floor in ends, only as far as will show

 

[Granitechops]

Hole in floor alows access to bogie fixing bolts

 

[Granitechops]

cut some thin slices off some styrene 3mm hollow square

 

[Granitechops]

<p> </p><p>cut some styrene angle & smooth corner of web</p><p>drill holes thro angle & wagon side</p><p> cut some 1" nails to size</p><p>countersink inside of hole, as wire nails may have a flat head on top but are beveled under</p><p> & the inside of the wagon needs to be flush, not only for looks, but also for changing the battery.</p><p>normally it would be recharged in situ</p><p>but if I go to a running day at SDGR at Buckfastleigh, i can make use of 2 or more gel batts</p>

 

[Granitechops]

drop of glue on end of nails
& under angle
& add slice of hollow square to look like nuts
Add diagonal struts
& top rail

 

[Bram]

That is very inventive, I'll store that one away

 

[Granitechops]

I 'll do catch up again ,but as the sun was shining I did a bit of track testing,

A1 OK
( the speed controller will be disguised as a bucket)

 

[eye-kay]

Thanks for that blow-by-blow account. Its inspired me to have a go. :applause:

 

[Granitechops]

Wagon painted, & under test behind Jenny Frugal,

blue "Brake hoses" are power feeds at both ends of wagon

 

[Granitechops]

That speed control knob should have a bucket over it to hide it, its always missing when I take a photo :thumbdown:

in the toolbox, the black pole, which was a spade ( needs the handle refixing) is the off on switch

 

[Granitechops]

Ha ha
found pic of bucket on speed control
Mount Future Company Logo fixed to wagon
wagon No.s fixed

 

[adeshers]

You're an inspiration to all of us Don. More please!!

Ade

 

[Bram]

The blue brake hoses Don, did you curl them around a screw driver and if so how do you keep them curled?

 

[Granitechops]

The blue brake hoses Don, did you curl them around a screw driver and if so how do you keep them curled?

Ah that was a trial & error Bram

first I tried ordinary flex multi strand wire & wound it round a screwdriver, but it tended to unwind/ sag

then I bought some bell wire from Maplins, which is single strand core , 07mm I think, so is more firm

But I am waiting to see if that will last or wether it will fracture,

but the wagon is designed so that it can easily be replaced

 

[Bram]

Bell wire, not thought of that, that should stay curled, I'll have to give it a try on one of mine. Thanks