Fitting battery power to an LGB G Scale Stainz 0-4-0 Steam

[brian_pg_white]

Can anyone provide a simple guide on how to do this including diagrams or pictures if possible

 

[idlemarvel]

I think Rik has done this, have a look at his blog. He may be able to point you to the article if you can't find it.
Peckforton Light Railway

Found the article here:
How I converted an LGB Stainz loco to battery power - Version 2

 

[PhilP]

Do you want to put everything in the loco?
OR
Would you be happy with a trail car?

If you have no other (track-powered) loco's on your track. Your track power is disconnected. No points or anything else fed with power from the track. - DEAD RAILS....

Then you can just plug into the socket(s) on the back of the Stainz... - Next stage, is to 'pop' the bullets and skates out of the bottom of the motor-block.

PhilP.

 

[JimmyB]

I also have blog on the conversion - HERE

 

[a98087]

That’s a very neat job you’ve done JimmyB.

but the stainz Isn’t the easiest loco to convert due to its lack of onboard space, and the many screws needed to dismantle it.

But it’s doable,

dan

 

[ge_rik]

Do you want to put everything in the loco?
OR
Would you be happy with a trail car?

If you have no other (track-powered) loco's on your track. Your track power is disconnected. No points or anything else fed with power from the track. - DEAD RAILS....

Then you can just plug into the socket(s) on the back of the Stainz... - Next stage, is to 'pop' the bullets and skates out of the bottom of the motor-block.

PhilP.

In addition to the onboard battery conversion, I also did one with a trail car and, as Phil says, used the socket on the back of the loco

How I converted an LGB Stainz loco to battery power with a trail car

Narrow gauge large scale model garden railway. Battery powered, radio controlled locomotives, some Bluetooth. Set in Cheshire UK in 1930s

riksrailway.blogspot.co.uk

Rik

 

[PhilP]

Off the wall thoughts:

It is now possible to get a 18650 Li-ion battery, with a capacity of 5000mAh! - A phenomenal amount of energy, for a cylinder 18mm diameter, and 65mm long!
Couple this with a small 'step-up' voltage converter, and you can run for hours..

Just a thought..

 

[JimmyB]

I have posted on here with a trailing car for my Otto, though I did look at ge_rik blog for inspiration.

Power for my Otto (and other) - G Scale Central

 

[ge_rik]

I have posted on here with a trailing car for my Otto, though I did look at ge_rik blog for inspiration.

Power for my Otto (and other) - G Scale Central

You've done a far neater job than me, Jim. I like the clever way you've hidden the switch and charge socket.

Rik

 

[ge_rik]

Off the wall thoughts:

It is now possible to get a 18650 Li-ion battery, with a capacity of 5000mAh! - A phenomenal amount of energy, for a cylinder 18mm diameter, and 65mm long!
Couple this with a small 'step-up' voltage converter, and you can run for hours..

Just a thought..

Is it genuine? I once bought three 18650 li-ions which were supposed to be 4000mAh but when I tested them, they were less than 2000mAh - and one of them packed up nine months later ....

Rik

 

[Zerogee]

Is it genuine? I once bought three 18650 li-ions which were supposed to be 4000mAh but when I tested them, they were less than 2000mAh - and one of them packed up nine months later ....

Rik

Of the ones that I use, which are these:
Lithium Batteries | Rapid Online{%22Brand%22:[%22Ansmann%22]}

the highest capacity for single cells in this range is 3500mAh (the packs that have higher capacities listed are ones made from multiple cells (or banks of cells) in parallel).

I've run a two-motor LGB loco (specifically a Saxon IVk) on a 2600mAh pack, and I've never yet run it flat in a single operating session - I've not used any of the newer 3500mAh cells yet, but I think they would give you all the running duration you'd ever likely need....

Jon.

 

[Sarah Winfield]

Please make my life simple and economical.

I would like to convert one of my Stainz locos to battery power with a trailing battery wagon.

I don't even know if the locomotive is DC or DCC.

Is there a quick method of adding battery power please so I can chug around my small garden oval hauling a few wagons.

What kind of battery would be suitable with an unsophisticated r/c system

Thank you,

Sarah

 

[PhilP]

Hi Sarah,
Does your Stainz have the rectangular socket on the back?

If so, this change is quite easy..

At Crewe at the moment, so more this evening.

Ps> It does not matter if DC or DCC.

PhilP

 

[Greg Elmassian]

5000 mah is BS, i.e. not possible today in a 18650... the 3500 mah molicel is about the limit...


Greg

 

[dunnyrail]

Please make my life simple and economical.

I would like to convert one of my Stainz locos to battery power with a trailing battery wagon.

I don't even know if the locomotive is DC or DCC.

Is there a quick method of adding battery power please so I can chug around my small garden oval hauling a few wagons.

What kind of battery would be suitable with an unsophisticated r/c system

Thank you,

Sarah

While you are waiting for Phil, you could have a quick look at the link by Rik in post 6 where he shows the connector mentioned.

 

[JimmyB]

Please make my life simple and economical.

I would like to convert one of my Stainz locos to battery power with a trailing battery wagon.

I don't even know if the locomotive is DC or DCC.

Is there a quick method of adding battery power please so I can chug around my small garden oval hauling a few wagons.

What kind of battery would be suitable with an unsophisticated r/c system

Thank you,

Sarah

This is my blog on how I converted an Otto, but can be applied to a Stainz:

Trailing Power Wagon

I wanted to convert my “Otto” and “H K Porter” to battery power, however I considered that the room within the bounds of these loc...

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

 

[PhilP]

Hi Sarah,

Whilst we have been out, it seems the others have provided you with a 'bread-crumb' trial to how to do this..

If you look at the link in post #6 (Rick's blog) that will show you how to do it. - If you are dead-rail (no controller connected, or other loco's on the track) you can even leave the pickups connected.
If you wish to be extra-safe, you can remove these without doing more than removing the bottom plate of the motor block. - Assuming your loco is not really old, with a clamshell block.

I can pop a suitable connector (for the rectangular socket) in with the diodes I am going to send you.


PhilP

 

[ge_rik]

Please make my life simple and economical.

I would like to convert one of my Stainz locos to battery power with a trailing battery wagon.

I don't even know if the locomotive is DC or DCC.

Is there a quick method of adding battery power please so I can chug around my small garden oval hauling a few wagons.

What kind of battery would be suitable with an unsophisticated r/c system

Thank you,

Sarah

As others have mentioned, my blog describes how it can be done with a trail car which is by far the easiest. If you want to keep it really simple, you can use non rechargeable batteries. I've described using Deltang RC gear which is in short supply but Micron RC now has an acceptable and compatible alternative.

PhilP (RC Trains) would be able to supply you with all the parts needed including the plug needed for the rear of the Stainz loco.

Rik

 

[dunnyrail]

Not sure how much the Deltang would cost, but certainly the Piko RC 35040 system is pretty good value at around £66 from Topslots is pretty good value and can be fitted into a trailing van with ordinary AA or rechargeable NiMh. Screw fit terminals on the Piko unit make installation simple, but for low instructions carefully to ensure positive and negative fitted the right way round as in all battery installations. Oh and a fuse would be an advisable addition to the positive wire. On/off switch included with the Piko unit. Key fob transmitter pretty easy to use.

TopSlots n Trains Slot Cars Fly Slot.It Scalextric NSR Ninco SCX Cars

Slot-Cars by Scalextric Slot.it NSR Fly-Slot SCX Ninco Cartrix Racer Revell MRRC Avant Slot Sloter slot cars Carrera Spirit slot cars, Scalextric spare parts. We also stock a huge range of Slot-Car spare parts specializing in Slot.It NSR Ninco Scalectrix & SCX spares for 1/32 scale model Slot...

www.topslotsntrains.com

 

[AustrianNG]

I found the Piko system unreliable. The signal would drop off……
I have two battery Stainz. All the gubbins is in the loco.
I don’t like a trailing wagon. The loco has to be able to run light in my railway world.
Here’s one of them. (The 24 volt smoke unit gets power off the track still)