VERY Simple Battery Conversion advice.

[CoggesRailway]

I have a yellow starter LGB shunter that is now analogue due to a decoder popping.

I have a requirement for an instant run loco for the kids visitor etc. If i find place for 4 or 6 AA cells and a switch would it run at an acceptable speed (not too fast) and for 15 mins or so....

I want to do this at Maplin for a tenner or so!!

 

[dutchelm]

I have done a similar conversion.
8 AA batteries under the bonnet, a centre off changeover switch in the cab. I have wired LEDs in the lights with diodes so they come on in the forward direction.
It runs at an acceptable speed & with a decent set of batteries will run for hours.

 

[Neil Robinson]

I'm probably stating what you already know, but the simplest battery power advice is don't forget a fuse.

 

[CoggesRailway]

No not stating the obvious! What kind of fuse where? Dutch Elm many thanks that gives me the confidence i need!

 

[yb281]

Another consideration is to make sure the loco is safe when the track is powered Ian. If you want to run the loco on both battery or track power you'll need to wire in a switch to change from one to the other. However, if I was you (and considering that it is designed for use by the kids), I'd keep it simple and remove both the bullet pick-ups and the skates. You'll be amazed how much difference this makes to the effecient running of the loco, it'll run much smoother, pull more and the batteries will last longer.

Plus you'll be left with spare pick-ups for other locos should the need arise .

 

[MRail]

It's also possible to make a simple speed control by connecting 2 sets of batteries via a DPDT switch to give series or parallel option.

 

[dutchelm]

The pickups & brushes were removed from my conversion & are now in use elswhere. Also the loco has several more wheels with tyres as the non tyred wheels have been reused.
There isn't much point in fitting series parallel or similar switches as the motor needs all 8 rechargeable cells to be of any use & the bonnet is then full.

 

[Del Tapparo]

You can get precise speed adjustment with my http://gold.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/Simple_Critter.htm < Link To Simple Critter Control. It is only 1 inch square and provides a full 5-amp motor driver. And as to fuses, I also have http://gold.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/BCM.htm < Link To Battery Conversion Modules, which greatly simplify the wiring of any battery power installation.

 

[CoggesRailway]

You can get precise speed adjustment with my http://gold.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/Simple_Critter.htm < Link To Simple Critter Control. It is only 1 inch square and provides a full 5-amp motor driver. And as to fuses, I also have http://gold.mylargescale.com/DelTapparo/BCM.htm < Link To Battery Conversion Modules, which greatly simplify the wiring of any battery power installation.

Not for less than £10 though I am guessing!

 

[gregh]

I have made 4 of these simple locos for my grandkids, with just a forward/off/reverse switch. They run for hours using 2200 mAh rechargeables. I find them fun to run too!
Here's my recommendations, which might be different from some other respondents:

1. You'll only need 4 or 5 cells for a reasonable speed. No need to go to 8. Try 4 to start with.
2. There is no need for any speed control, once you've got the right number of cells.
3. I don't know your Maplins, but ask if they have Polyswitches. These are better than fuses as they reset automatically. (see link below)
4. Definately make sure you remove the connections from motor to rail pickups - this is usually simple in LGB (I think - I only have one LGB) by pulling the little push-on connector off. (usually the brown one?)


Have a look around post #18 in this topic:
http://www.gscalecentral.net/m93755