RC Battery Install

[Chris Bates]

Hi, I have finally finished my small garden layout (see attached layout). I have 3 different trains at the moment. I have a Revolution TX/RX - steam. Rather than buy 3 separate rx decoders for each train, is it feasible to put the decoder, speaker and battery into a tender and just run a few wires to the train, after modifying it for battery power. As I only have a single loop at the moment, I won't be running more than 1 train at a time. If/when I can make a bigger layout, I can then get extra decoders for the individual trains. Pros and cons please?

 

[Paul M]

Yes, but theyll be someone with expert advice later.

 

[Northsider]

Hi Chris. I can't see why this wouldn't be possible: you would have an RC-enabled tender containing batteries, Rx and speed controller, with power leads going to the loco via a plug, so you can swap locos. Adding sound options (diesel engine or chuff, horn/whistle/bell etc) would require more wires if loco-mounted, or could be part of the tender installation if they'll fit.
You will need to remove -or make switchable- the track feed part of the loco for running on battery power.

 

[JimmyB]

I have "trailing power wagons" where it is not feasible to put everything in the loco, and these are detailed in my blog:

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

Tumble Down Falls Railway

The diary of how I built my garden railway. Details of all aspects of the work carried out, from track laying and landscaping through to modifying and building rolling stock. It is set as a fictitious heritage railway somewhere, and is built in G45.

tumble-down-falls.blogspot.com

 

[dunnyrail]

Entirely feasible, but do not be tempted to use the existing plugs in the locomotives without modifications if present. You can use it but need to rewire so that there is no possibility of back feeding power to the track.

There is another downside to using a battery vehicle or tender, you must have it coupled all the time you are running so perhaps a tender is more appropriate.

When you talk ‘decoders’ do you have the Revolution DCC option or are you planning track power DCC at some stage? Logic suggests to keep to battery as you are heading this way.

 

[maxi-model]

I have a tiny Accucraft Porter switcher loco. There is nowhere practical on the loco to hide and install battery/sound/RC. So, I converted one of their small mining wagons into a tender to carry all the kit. Some of these diminuative Porters ran with tenders, I did a Google search. A small low profile rectangular speaker is mounted under the wagon, between the frames, the rest of it in compartments inside. I am limited to AAA size NiMH batteries, but as it is a small loco used for light duties this is not an issue. However some use LiOn types, for their compact size/power, to overcome this issue. I then just have the two wires from the motor feeding back to the tender. You could have the wiring for lighting and smoke too if you wanted.

I use a trailing battery only wagon too for installations were large battery packs cannot fit easily, with the Rx/Sound/switch/sockets on board the loco. I have power leads at both ends on those locos that are of the geared non tender type. Max

Mining car. Coal load and water filler drop in. Charge socket and power switch in water filler. Speaker under car between frames..


Loco and converted mining car. Loco is 1:20.3 and really very small with no spaces to hide and fit things in.

 

[PhilP]

Others have covered it really..
DO make sure you isolate from the track!

PhilP.

 

[JimmyB]

Others have covered it really..
DO make sure you isolate from the track!

PhilP.

Even if you have no track powered locos, two locos not isolated can cause each other to run, and a short-circuit anywhere can blow your mind and your chip.

 

[Aylesbury loop]

Hi, I have finally finished my small garden layout (see attached layout). I have 3 different trains at the moment. I have a Revolution TX/RX - steam. Rather than buy 3 separate rx decoders for each train, is it feasible to put the decoder, speaker and battery into a tender and just run a few wires to the train, after modifying it for battery power. As I only have a single loop at the moment, I won't be running more than 1 train at a time. If/when I can make a bigger layout, I can then get extra decoders for the individual trains. Pros and cons please?

Looks great

 

[GAP]

You can wire a tender or trailing car this way and plug it into any loco.
This one uses an audio plug and socket but anything that can convey the the current to the motor should work.

 

[Chris Bates]

I have a tiny Accucraft Porter switcher loco. There is nowhere practical on the loco to hide and install battery/sound/RC. So, I converted one of their small mining wagons into a tender to carry all the kit. Some of these diminuative Porters ran with tenders, I did a Google search. A small low profile rectangular speaker is mounted under the wagon, between the frames, the rest of it in compartments inside. I am limited to AAA size NiMH batteries, but as it is a small loco used for light duties this is not an issue. However some use LiOn types, for their compact size/power, to overcome this issue. I then just have the two wires from the motor feeding back to the tender. You could have the wiring for lighting and smoke too if you wanted.

I use a trailing battery only wagon too for installations were large battery packs cannot fit easily, with the Rx/Sound/switch/sockets on board the loco. I have power leads at both ends on those locos that are of the geared non tender type. Max

Mining car. Coal load and water filler drop in. Charge socket and power switch in water filler. Speaker under car between frames..
View attachment 348914

Loco and converted mining car. Loco is 1:20.3 and really very small with no spaces to hide and fit things in.
View attachment 348915

Thanks for the info. Where is the wiring between engine and tender running, and what connectors are you using?

 

[Chris Bates]

Entirely feasible, but do not be tempted to use the existing plugs in the locomotives without modifications if present. You can use it but need to rewire so that there is no possibility of back feeding power to the track.

There is another downside to using a battery vehicle or tender, you must have it coupled all the time you are running so perhaps a tender is more appropriate.

When you talk ‘decoders’ do you have the Revolution DCC option or are you planning track power DCC at some stage? Logic suggests to keep to battery as you are heading this way.

Thanks for the info. I have the Revolution Micro Receiver with sound (steam).

 

[Cranford]

Hi, I have finally finished my small garden layout (see attached layout). I have 3 different trains at the moment. I have a Revolution TX/RX - steam. Rather than buy 3 separate rx decoders for each train, is it feasible to put the decoder, speaker and battery into a tender and just run a few wires to the train, after modifying it for battery power. As I only have a single loop at the moment, I won't be running more than 1 train at a time. If/when I can make a bigger layout, I can then get extra decoders for the individual trains. Pros and cons please?

This is just a suggestion to enable you to run your trains without any rewiring, connect your RX directly to the track and control the track power. This will mean having a clean track and pick up wheels on your locos. I Haven't done this with the Revolution but have done it with the PIKO remote system .

 

[dunnyrail]

This is just a suggestion to enable you to run your trains without any rewiring, connect your RX directly to the track and control the track power. This will mean having a clean track and pick up wheels on your locos. I Haven't done this with the Revolution but have done it with the PIKO remote system .

The whole point of dead rail is to save on track cleaning, wheel cleaning on larger locomotives tends not to be much of an issue, well it was not before I converted to dead rail in the garden. However as you point out it does mean some pulling apart and fitting things though a battery car/tender can help resolve this. But as ever tis the case that the first ine is the hardest, the rest come much easier, for a starter I have found Piko much easier to make battery powered as there tends to be less screws hiding to pull them apart particularly with their Diesels which I have founds a breeze to convert to dead rail. However there is help out there with sundry companies that will convert locomotives to battery power for you at a cost of time and materials.