Tender and Water Tank shell ease of removal method

[GAP]

I have a Bachmann Connie and a 3 Truck Shay that have been converted to battery power.

I am changing from NiMH batteries to LiPo batteries and do not want to charge them in situ as I currently do because of the LiPo reputation of catching fire.

The batteries are mounted in the tender of Connie and the water tank of the Shay, both have plastics tabs on one end and a pair of screws on the other end of the shells to hold them on.

I am wondering if any one can help me with a method of not using screws to hold the shells on, I have thought maybe strong small magnets but I am not sure if they would be strong enough.

Any suggestions or methods used by others more than welcome.

Thank you in advance.

 

[beavercreek]

Strong neodymium magnets would work. The magnets are powerful and during use the shells would not detach themselves.
Sunk into the base and fixed to the inside of the bunker and tender shell would be a very neat way indeed.....
BUT there could be the possibility that someone accidentally tries to carry the Shay or the Connie tender and the magnets give way.

 

[Zerogee]

If you buy good quality industrial Li-Ion battery packs like the Ansmann ones, which come with built-in protection boards, and use a genuine charger at a reasonable charge rate, as far as I understand it the risks are vanishingly small...... most of the horror stories seem to come from cheap knock-off batteries and/or chargers, insufficient circuit protection and the electric flight and racing hobbies whacking massive charge rates into batteries that may not be properly over- or under-charge protected......

As Mike says, the rare-earth magnets would most likely work just as long as you are the only one that ever picks your loco up. Just another idea, could you use some other sort of quick-release method to replace the screws - maybe a length of rod through the screw hole drilled to take a clip in type of split-pin or something like that....?

Jon.

 

[dunnyrail]

I would certainly play safe with your battery removal and charging system. Never leaving them alone whilst charging, just too risky in spite of the soothing words one hears. Remember Boeing's experience, you just do not want to take the risk with your pride and joy plus possibly your Home. Personally I would have a nuclear fireproof bunker somewhere in the Garden with power for charging the batteries only! That paranoi is why I am still in the NiMh world, though I am happy with Drills using Litium Tech. I reckon the Magnets for lifting the Lifs off should be fine, but if you are concerned about the possibility of a loco being lifted erroneously then Jon's suggestion of a Pin somewhere subtle should work fine. If you do the pin, please post us some pics of what you do.
JonD

 

[Fred Mills]

Just an observation, from experiences witnessed around here...
If you go cheap, on the batteries, or the needed charger. YOU ARE JUST BEGGING FOR TROUBLE...
Seldom if ever have we had any battery trouble around here...
Fr.Fred

 

[GAP]

Just an observation, from experiences witnessed around here...
If you go cheap, on the batteries, or the needed charger. YOU ARE JUST BEGGING FOR TROUBLE...
Seldom if ever have we had any battery trouble around here...
Fr.Fred

The batteries are not El Cheapo's they are good quality and the charger is a good quality balancing one. I am using a charge rate of 1/10C ie 5A capacity (C) = 0.5A charge rate.
The motor controller has a low voltage cut off built in and I have low battery alarms fitted as well.
I only charge these things in a charge bag sitting in the middle of a concrete floor.

 

[gregh]

If you buy good quality industrial Li-Ion battery packs like the Ansmann ones, which come with built-in protection boards, and use a genuine charger at a reasonable charge rate, as far as I understand it the risks are vanishingly small...... most of the horror stories seem to come from cheap knock-off batteries and/or chargers, insufficient circuit protection and the electric flight and racing hobbies whacking massive charge rates into batteries that may not be properly over- or under-charge protected......

As Mike says, the rare-earth magnets would most likely work just as long as you are the only one that ever picks your loco up. Just another idea, could you use some other sort of quick-release method to replace the screws - maybe a length of rod through the screw hole drilled to take a clip in type of split-pin or something like that....?

Jon.

I agree completely with your battery statement. All my LiPos are charged in the loco and I don't sit and watch them charge - better things to do.

I have used magnets to hold bits of locos together with almost disastrous results on a couple of occasions when I forgot and picked them up wrongly. Definitely recommend some mechanical 'locking' device.