I am almost giving up. I am having a hard time getting my train to run outside so considering battery power.

. I am listening. What size of fuse? I am at the horse track I can get the proper size on the way back.
 
You need to know the maximum current your loco draws and get one slightly higher, I think Jimmy has already suggested 3amps.
 
Yes I am and I am not a horse thank you. Anyways I got the 3 amp in a multi pack. The train is running great. I should be getting my dimmer tomorrow and go from there.
 
Strange but true. A few years ago I went out to run trains on my line. I use(d) a Train Engineer (TE) r/c operated speed controller. A train was running and suddenly stopped. I checked the (factory fitted) fuse holder for the TE and noticed it had blown - thankfully a 10 amp quick blow type. Scratched my head a bit but after a while I found the cause, a fencing nail was lying on one of the track's sleepers and causing a short across the rails. How long was the nail.......exactly 45 mm, the track guage I operate.

I reckoned it was stray nail left over from some work that was being done on a neighbours fence a few days earlier, I'd heard them using a nail gun on it. Then, I suppose, one of our numerous local Jackdaws (member of the corvid family) must have picked up a stray nail left behind and dropped it on my line, in just the right place and perfectly aligned. The local hedgehogs don't have that kind of dexterity. Mischeivious so and so's those Jackdaws, smarter than you think. Max
Ya that is too bad that that happened. I usually check the 104 feet of track I have before a run. I am looking for rocks, sticks or anything else that can be left on the tracks. By my dog who often hops like a rabbit or squirrels who like to dig holes and bury stuff. I have lots of trees and shrubs.
 
If you are using the dedicated charger the LED indicator should inform when it is fully charged.
I just noticed on the charger itself it says 4 hour quick charge. I will use my battery tester to see if it is fully charged after 4.
 
Got my dimmer and got it to work. It is also an on off switch too. Give it a go after my lawn bowling...yaaa
 

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Now I am trying to recharge my battery with the speed controller still attached....second attempt.
 
Now I am trying to recharge my battery with the speed controller still attached....second attempt.
I assume you are NOT trying to charge through the controller but on a separate circuit.
 
You would normally have (minimum) a switch to disconnect the electronics (speed controller) in the loco..
Quite often, a charging socket, which disconnects the circuitry from the battery, when you plug the charger in..

The charger may well be confused, by seeing the controller, as well as the battery.. There are reasons, we do things the way we do..

PhilP
 
Ok. It is easy to disconnect ..I was charging the wire from the controller to the battery inside the engine with the controller in off position. I did get 2 controllers but I really do not want to destroy it. I am asking... so all good.
 
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I am thinking about adding this rechargable battery. By putting it in the next car after the engine. Then wiring it to the engine. With 2 ah do I need a breaker fuse? And yes I will not use both batteries at the same time. Nor will I use track power with battery. I will hook up with existing engine wiring along with the existing speed control switch.
 

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What I am learning quick is that battery power and metal tracks are a bad mix. When you get a derail it shorts out real easy. I have gone through 2 fuses in 2 days plus I think I blew the head light interior lighting fuse.
 
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