battery power for Bachmann engines

[Ketch]

hello, our HO club is planining on building a G scale railroad behind our clubhouse,
we have the Bachmann 3 truck shay, the Bachmann Little River 2-6-6-2 and the Bachmann Climax. all seem to be able to run on battery power. Could you tell me a good source for these batteries. this is a whole new field for us and are just getting our feet wet. we also need to add DCC decoders to these engines . our HO railroad runs on Digitrax DCC so I was hoping we can use the same DCC controllers to run our G scale equipment but it looks like I shouild be addressing my DCC questions on the DCC portion of this fourm,.
thanks for any help, i really appreciate.
Ketch

 

[tramcar trev]

Ketch, the blue Lithium Ion ones seem to be the battery of choice. Use this eBay search to find them: http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_...2V++Super+Rechargeable+Li-ion+Battery&_sop=15

They come in various sizes ergo capacities and come with a charger. If you set your search preferences to lowest price there will be enough of them pop up. Other way of doing it would be to buy individual cells and make up your own battery pack. These "blue" ones do have inbuilt protective circuitry to prevent over charge and over discharge....

 

[Tony Walsham]

If you are intending to fit DCC decoders inside these Large Scale locos, why are you wanting to add batteries into them?
Installing batteries in Large Scale locomotives usually implies radio controlling them as well.
Whilst it is possible to add radio control to battery powered DCC equipped locos, it can get extremely expensive.
It is much simpler and less expensive to either have track powered DCC locos or battery R/C locos with a non DCC R/C system.

 

[tramcar trev]

If you are intending to fit DCC decoders inside these Large Scale locos, why are you wanting to add batteries into them?
Installing batteries in Large Scale locomotives usually implies radio controlling them as well.
Whilst it is possible to add radio control to battery powered DCC equipped locos, it can get extremely expensive.
It is much simpler and less expensive to either have track powered DCC locos or battery R/C locos with a non DCC R/C system.

I agree, even with my limited experience Battery powered radio control is very good and a lot cheaper...

 

[stockers]

As Tony and Trev have said, DCC is usually track powered. Battery is usually raido controlled. You can in theory use a DCC wireless controller to communicate with the DCC chip but it needs a suitable receiver in the loco. Massoth intend to do the 300 which should enable this but its been under development for way too long now!
Probably best to get going with track power and review your options once all is up and running.

 

[dunnyrail]

Not sure where you live, but find a local Model Boat, Car Racing or Aircraft shop. These guys know all there is to know about batteries. But do not be seduced by a Racing Car Controller. They are not really suitable for our needs,

Peter Spoerer does pretty much all you could need. Another source of good Train Control Equipment is Timpdon Electronics. There is also the Aristocraft Revolution set up that I swear by, now with on board sound receivers and Control for around £100 per loco plus the cost of Batteries. then you will need the Handset which will drive as many Locomotives as you need. Though I did have problems driving Bachman Trams with this setup. Ran a bit lumpy for my liking.
JonD

 

[The Devonian]

I still maintain a track power capability: I still have two Bachmann ten wheelers that have not had a battery operation conversion. However, I mostly run my Aristo locos (two truck) using a trailing cars (I have three) with the loco switch placed in battery ops. position. I searched the UK web sites for, what I considered suitable and reliable battery packs. My nature, due to previous occupations which were often a matter of life and death (ask Mel, he knows all about it ) tends to make me usually look for the best. I have always ascribed to the saying "you get, usually, what you pay for".

I have found Strikalite very good and a helpful company to deal with. They only deal in batteries, for many applications not just models, but whilst they do make packs for to be fitted in certain locomotives they will make whatever you require.
I believe they will be at the Warley Show, which I understand is this week end coming, as their company is located in that area.

http://www.strikalite.co.uk/