Has anyone used on of those portable power packs made by Diehard etc. to power their layout? The ones that are used for jumping cars, emergency power, etc? Reading the reviews on one it said it could run a television for 20 hours on one charge. I'm really considering that as my layout is over 100 feet from the nearest outlet. Any concerns or comments would be appreciated. Got my first 3 locos and for some reason am chicken to try to convert to battery and R/C, would like to see them run.
The Home of Articulated Ugliness
Well, like I said, I'm chicken to try and tamper with my locomotives just yet, although battery power was initially where I wanted to go and I WILL eventually get there, but I have recently realized that relatives and friends that might want to run their trains on my layout too and was weighing my options. I also wonder if using one of those for powering everything would work, such as landscape lights and maybe a waterfall pump. Just wondering if anyone else has tried it. Seems it would be fairly simple just to carry the thing over there, plug it in, play, and then when I'm done, just carry it back to the house and re-charge it! My main concerns is the output and if it might be harmful to the engines and motherboards.
I have been using a Noma lead acid battery for the last 4 years.. Bought it as a backup for the sump pump. Works great outdoors. Has 4 plugs and will run 2 engines and a radio for 7 hours. I find it very safe, especially when children visit. No extension cords to trip over and also allows me to run power tools anywhere in the yard. Regards, Dennis.
Dennis, thanks that's exactly what I needed to hear. I'm going to at least try this to avoid the hastle of running power all the way out there.
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