Which battery?

[Lez2000]

Morning Folks,
I would appreciate a bit of advice with the following please: My layout is currently track powered DCC which works well but I'm now thinking about moving to battery power.
Most of my locos are of the Stainz variety which shouldn't be that difficult to convert (several how-to's available) but I do have a Piko Taurus that I'm not sure about.

Can anyone suggest a suitable battery type and size? The Taurus has two motors and I'm not sure about the voltage (and current) requirements i.e. 12 volts, 14.4 or higher. I've trawled the forum and found references to voltage increasing boards; would I need one? I don't run it at full speed so presumably I wouldn't need to supply the full 24 volts currently available (sorry) with the track supply.

Thank you,
Les.

 

[dunnyrail]

Morning Folks,
I would appreciate a bit of advice with the following please: My layout is currently track powered DCC which works well but I'm now thinking about moving to battery power.
Most of my locos are of the Stainz variety which shouldn't be that difficult to convert (several how-to's available) but I do have a Piko Taurus that I'm not sure about.

Can anyone suggest a suitable battery type and size? The Taurus has two motors and I'm not sure about the voltage (and current) requirements i.e. 12 volts, 14.4 or higher. I've trawled the forum and found references to voltage increasing boards; would I need one? I don't run it at full speed so presumably I wouldn't need to supply the full 24 volts currently available (sorry) with the track supply.

Thank you,
Les.

I have a Piko Kamel that has 12 AA NiMh with battery DCC from Fosworks. I get 4-5 hours continuous time on with this setup.

 

[Rhinochugger]

Yep, I have a twin motor Bachmann 45 tonner with a similar battery pack - the first time I used AAs (and this was a good few years ago now) having previously only used sub-Cs.

It's worth thinking about how you're going to do the Stainz first. If you end up choosing to go the Lipo route, then ideally you would want to use a Lipo for the Taurus as well. The two technologies are very different, the chargers and the principles of charging are all different.

So, I would advise sorting, in your mind at least, the route for the small tricky one, then following the same route for the larger, easier (in theory) loco.

 

[Lez2000]

I have a Piko Kamel that has 12 AA NiMh with battery DCC from Fosworks. I get 4-5 hours continuous time on with this setup.

That was quick. With the NiMh batteries that would be around 14.4 volts while running.
Many thanks,
Les.

Yep, I have a twin motor Bachmann 45 tonner with a similar battery pack - the first time I used AAs (and this was a good few years ago now) having previously only used sub-Cs.

It's worth thinking about how you're going to do the Stainz first. If you end up choosing to go the Lipo route, then ideally you would want to use a Lipo for the Taurus as well. The two technologies are very different, the chargers and the principles of charging are all different.

So, I would advise sorting, in your mind at least, the route for the small tricky one, then following the same route for the larger, easier (in theory) loco.

Good suggestion; I’ve already got a Lipo charger from when my grandson had an interest in quadcopters so they may dictate how things progress.
Thank you,
Regards,
Les.

 

[ge_rik]

That was quick. With the NiMh batteries that would be around 14.4 volts while running.
Many thanks,
Les.

Good suggestion; I’ve already got a Lipo charger from when my grandson had an interest in quadcopters so they may dictate how things progress.
Thank you,
Regards,
Les.

If you're happy with lipo / li-ion technology, then I would recommend that route. You can either buy ready-made lipo packs or make your own using 18650 cells and battery protection boards. That way you can design the pack to fit the available space. I've converted three Stainz locos to battery - fitting 14500 li-ion cells into the cab. Hardly noticeable.

How I converted an LGB Stainz loco to battery power - Version 2

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

riksrailway.blogspot.com

Rik

 

[Lez2000]

If you're happy with lipo / li-ion technology, then I would recommend that route. You can either buy ready-made lipo packs or make your own using 18650 cells and battery protection boards. That way you can design the pack to fit the available space. I've converted three Stainz locos to battery - fitting 14500 li-ion cells into the cab. Hardly noticeable.

How I converted an LGB Stainz loco to battery power - Version 2

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

riksrailway.blogspot.com

Rik

Thanks Rik,
I must be honest and say I’ve visited your blog loads of times; it’s a goldmine of information. Looking forward to reading more in due course.

Regards,
Les

 

[Madman]

Have a look at this site.

G-Scale Graphics

Custom Vinyl Lettering and Electronics for Garden Railroading

www.gscalegraphics.net

 

[Lez2000]

Have a look at this site.

G-Scale Graphics

Custom Vinyl Lettering and Electronics for Garden Railroading

www.gscalegraphics.net

Thanks Dan, I will.

Les.