Battery power/RC

[Anonymous]

I want to convert my LGB engines (2-8-2 Mikado & Mogul) to battery power and use remote control.  I also want to use the same transmitter to control my switches.  I have been told that the Locolinc system seems fairly decent and can control switches but have been informed of some inherent problems such as power and reception.  I was just informed of a new product from airwire called the t9000, but at this time they are still working on the switch control.  The other issue is that of what type of battery(ies) to use.  I would like to have a run time of about 4 hrs befroe recharging is needed.  Plus I would like to be able to charge or replace batteries with out too much trouble.  I hope someone can give me some direction.

Thanks 

 

[altterrain]

I have not heard much good about LocoLinc. Most of the guys in my club use AirWire. I like RCS. Most of the systems will have the battery packs installed in the tender with a plug in jack for battery charging. I'm not sure if you'll get the run times you want with that type of system runing sound and lights. I use battery/RC trailer cars which enable a quick swap of packs. This club has some pretty good info on these on their site - http://ovgrs.org/. I would also post your question in the power/battery/rc forums over at largescalecentral.com or mylargescale.com and you'll get lots of opinions and options to mull over especially form guys who know more about LGB locos.

-Brian 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response.  I'll look up the web sites you gave me and move on from there.

[Anonymous]

I would call Dave Goodson and explain what your doing.

http://dnkgoods.home.mindspring.com/page2.html

He sells the batteries and remotes as I think it is what your looking for. He will not BS you and tell you stright.

Note: I am just a happy customer from Dave Goodson and have no paycheck coming from him or his company.

Toad (in da Swamp)

[grzly03]

I just finished (except for lights) rewiring an Aristo Dash 9 with the Airwire system.  I pulled out the Aristo board and reconnected everthing to the Airwire decoder and a Phoenix P5.  I used a Crest 21.2V battery (which charged out at 25.4 V) that fit nicely inside the engine shell, and can be removed through the -9 removeable hatch or charged on board.  I tapped into the battery to pull off 16.9V for the low side of the decoder, and used an Evolution charger receptacle which is also under the removeable hatch.  I put power to it for the first time a couple of nights ago, and everything worked right the first time.  I received some guidance from Jonathan at Electric Model Works, since this is my first engine, but the installation was pretty simple after I got past the mental block of cutting that first set of wires.  I have been able to test it only minimally, but I recommend the Airwire system from everything I have done so far.  I have communicated with CVP Products about the accessory decoder, and they say it will be available "early this year." 

[sawdust]

Hi GrzlyO3,

Congratulations on your Dash 9,  I love AirWire and have several Locos on it, use 14.4 V packs on LGB Moguls and 12V gel cells on Bachmann's 4-6-0 all with Phoenix P5. Super easy to install. I have extra batteries so I switch and run.  I am waiting for my P-5 so I can convert my Bachmann 3 truck shay I got for Christmas.  CVP said with 3 motors that you hook 2 motors to one connection and 1 motor to the other.  This decoder is one of the early ones to 18v and a 10 amp driver.

What part of the country do you rail ?

Allen

[grzly03]

No particular theme is visible yet, as I 'm only at the dirt moving stage right now, but it'll end up the Southern CA from the Cajon Pass to Tehachapi setting, I am pretty sure, as that was part of the inspiration.  I live in a typical SoCal track house, with 10' available on each side, and 20-25' across the back.  So have the layout planned, as the space allows.  I work in a high tech industry, so am dedicated to RC and battery power, inspite of some of the old heads I have dealt with already trying to convince me to be more traditional.

G03

[Anonymous]

03,

Yeah mines rc/computer. But more wires to hook up because of computer.

Toad

[MJBTrainman]

Hi guys, I have used three of the major R/C systems currently on the market. That takes in "Locolinc - Train Engineer (AristoCraft) and finally AirWire". My vote, hands down, is for AirWire system with the Phoenix P5 sound board. It is by far the easiest and best. They say the third time is the charm, well in this case they are correct. I only wish I had not wasted the money on the other two. Any body out ther want some TE or Locolinc equipment?

Regards

Mike Ballou

[Run the Town]

Hi GrzlyO3,

Congratulations on your Dash 9,  I love AirWire and have several Locos on it, use 14.4 V packs on LGB Moguls and 12V gel cells on Bachmann's 4-6-0 all with Phoenix P5. Super easy to install. I have extra batteries so I switch and run.  I am waiting for my P-5 so I can convert my Bachmann 3 truck shay I got for Christmas.  CVP said with 3 motors that you hook 2 motors to one connection and 1 motor to the other.  This decoder is one of the early ones to 18v and a 10 amp driver.

What part of the country do you rail ?

Allen

Not to hyjack but "sawdust" i see you are running airwire and also you DID get your shay for Christmas.  I do have some questions; can I email you?  Thanks Barry

[sawdust]

Hi Berry,  E-mail should be in my profile,  glat to help, will share my experences.

Allen

[grzly03]

Well, my initial elation that everything worked right (Aristo Dash 9 w/Airwire) the first time was blemished by a problem that maybe some of you can advise me on.  After several times of running, forward, reverse, testing the Phoenix P5, etc., when pushing the controller for reverse, there was a little "thud," and the engine "locked up."  Wouldn't go in reverse, wouldn't move forward.  I turned everthing off, let it sit for 10 miuntes or so while checking for shorts or other problems, turned it back on.  It ran fine in forward, but when selecting reverse, it locked up again.  I unhooked everthing, put the power the each truck, and they ran fine in both directions, so the problem must be in the decoder. 

 Anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks, G03 

 

[grandpopswalt]

Blkjac,

 

I've been running Aristo 75 MHZ Train Engineer with on-board receiver and have had good performance, no complaints.

 

Along these same lines, does anyone have any experience or knowledge of this new Bachmann product advertised in the Feb 2008 GR (see page 11). It's called "E-Z command Dynamis" , this seems to be a wireless IR product, but what I find particularly interesting is that it's bi-directional. I wonder if that means some sort of speed feedback?

 

Walt   

[Run the Town]

Well, my initial elation that everything worked right (Aristo Dash 9 w/Airwire) the first time was blemished by a problem that maybe some of you can advise me on.  After several times of running, forward, reverse, testing the Phoenix P5, etc., when pushing the controller for reverse, there was a little "thud," and the engine "locked up."  Wouldn't go in reverse, wouldn't move forward.  I turned everthing off, let it sit for 10 miuntes or so while checking for shorts or other problems, turned it back on.  It ran fine in forward, but when selecting reverse, it locked up again.  I unhooked everthing, put the power the each truck, and they ran fine in both directions, so the problem must be in the decoder. 

 Anyone have any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks, G03 

G03,  Were you coming to a COMPLETE stop before trying to go in reverse?  Sorry to ask but there are reports of people trying to run'em forward and pushing reverse while in motion.  Not a thing you want to do.

Just my uneducated  2 cents from reading on these remotes and no means to affend if I did.  Barry