How do I run my trains when I go camping?

[pbjwilson]

Hey everyone, I usually hang out on the Classic Toy Train forum but have a question about outdoor g scale.

I try to get away for a few weekends in the summer and go tent camping with the kids. I thought it would be alot of fun to take a box of LGB trains and track with when we go camping this year. Could set up a simple little layout and run trains. Would really be great at night with the engines light shining. Anyway, my question is how do I get the power to run the trains. Most sites set aside for tent campers don't have electrical hook-ups. I was thinking could I run it off my car battery? Would it run the battery down if we ran trains for 1/2 an hour at a time?

[Anonymous]

simple solution, run the car at the same time, that way the abttery is charged as the layout is powered. keep a spare can of gas in the trunk, just in case you umm....drain the tank ;) course you could get a small kerosene generator to power the set as well.

[Curmudgeon]

On-board radio/battery.
Whatreya, new?

[Anonymous]

Best Buy, DC to AC converter. Plugs into lighter receptical. $70.

Home Depot, DC to AC transformer. Hooks to auto battery. Serious power. ~$40.

[kstrong]

Any one of the Crest throttle controlers (not the power supplies themselves, just the throttle controller) accept a straight DC voltage input. Some of LGB's do as well, such as the one that looks like a bay window. Basically, any setup where you have a separate power supply and controller. All you'd need to do would be to make a plug that goes into the cigarette lighter socket in the car to hook up to the controller, and you're off and running.

Granted, you're only going to get 12v. max out of the system without the car running, but that should be ample for your trains. (You may get slightly more if you run the car's engine--depends on if your car regulates the voltage going to the power taps or not.)

Later,

K

[Anonymous]

The answer of course is a rheostat and a separate battery say a couple of 12V 7 A/H like they have in burgular alarms connected in series. This is as rough as guts about 25 ohms and about 25 watts rheostat should run a small loco and some lights; if you wi***o reverse direction just reverse the polarity with the rheostat at maximum resistance.

If you like this suggestion just send a can of beer to my private address here on Kawana Island.


Regrds ian

[majnnj]

Just a thought a couple of 100' extension cords
I've been camping for years, theres always full service sites
nearby with mutiple outlet boxes, hey who'd complain
as long as you invite them watch and offer drinks
mike

[markperr]

Cakewalk. Pitch your tent in the backyard next to the layout.

Mark[:D]

[bman36]

Hey there,
Looking at getting a seasonal site this year. If that's the case I will be setting up on location. Battery power sounds like the simplest way to go! Later eh...Brian.

[Tom The Brat]

Clockwork[:D]

[Anonymous]

Thomas Take Along set! [;)]