LGB RhB Elec Loco GE 4/4 III Conversion to R/C

[TheMacDiesel]

I'm considering battery and R/C over track (and have read the multitude of posts on both sides of the aisle...) 

I have four LGB RhB 4/4 series III locos...  Has anyone out there converted LGB modern RhB locos to Battery and R/C?  I'm wondering if there is room for an Aristo-Craft/Crest Li-On battery pack inside...  also wondering if the 2A it delivers is sufficient, or if two packs are needed in parallel.  If two packs, space enough for them?

Thanks,

Sean 

  

[altterrain]

Sean,

Batteries are rated in voltage and amp-hours. The voltage rating will dictate the top speed of your loco. Most battery packs run from 12v to 24v for large scale but I would say 14.4v and 18v are the most popluar choices. FYI a 14.4v battery pack usually puts out 16.5 to 17v. The amp-hour rating (Ah or mAh for milli amp hours) is the storage capacity of the battery. The higher the Ah rating the longer your run times before recharging. A 2.3 Ah (2300 mAh) pack for one of my locos give me a bit over 3 hours of run time. Of course, your mileage will vary with your loco's number of motors, efficiency, load, etc. I'm sure your conversion has been done by someone though, personally, I might be a bit leary of using Li-On batteries inside a loco with the overheating (burning down people's houses) problems in the past. I have read most will charge these in a fireproof container (like a ceramic crock) to be on the safe side.

-Brian 

[TheMacDiesel]

Brian,

Thanks for the perspective.

 You're using Gel-Cell then, I take it.  Haven't read of the fire issues -- sounds a little like the Sony laptop battery issue.  I gravitated to those in shopping around because of the fantastic sizes advertised...  But, I do value my home more than a little extra mod'ing.

 --Sean--

[altterrain]

Last summer a fellow over on the Aristo forum burnt down his garage, trains and all, by leaving a lithium pack unattended while charging. I know Aristo will be coming out with a new lithium pack and charger that supposed to be a bit safer to use. I have looked at a number of installs done by the pros like Tony Walsham and Dave Goodson (Curmudgeon) and most of theirs are still NiCad or NiMH. I only have one loco hooked up for battery/RC using a trailer car set up. I have a couple of NiMH packs for it. My layout is not close to the house or shop so I prefer to just bring the pack in for recharges. I'm still a big believer in track power and stainless track as I will typically run my trains 6 hours or more on a weekend day (especially when the nephews and niece come over). My one RC loco does give me the ability to travel with it to other layouts and also run it with other trains using track power.

-Brian