USA Trains GP38-2 self conversion to R/C & battery power.

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. After reading many of the posts here, I thought I might share my conversion with you. I have not built my railroad yet, but do have a point-to-point track set up of about 75 feet in length just to be able to run a train. The two reverse loops are what prompted me to convert to on-board battery power. I was also having problems with the cheaper sound system power supplies and popping circuit breakers because of the grades and loads on the engine along with dirty track and poor connections. I utilized a Futaba Attack 2ER R/C system (AM, 27 MHz) as an inexpensive control. I think I paid about $24.00 off e-bay. The most expensive part was the motor control board (also off E-bay) for about $50.00. I did also purchase 2- 8 cell AA battery holders and a 2 pole single throw switch from Radio Shack. I get usually 4-6 hours between charges running at various speeds and just love the ability to run it like a real diesel. There is a mini-cam mounted next to the engineer's head, so I can lounge in my living room on the couch and see where the train is going on my tv with the ability to fully control it. The 16 AA power batteries and the 4 AA receiver batteries are mounted in the under belly fuel tank. Two screws and it's open to charge them. The battery on-off switch (which I've now converted to a double pole single throw, also) mounts on the back of the tank and is set up so one position supplies power from the internal batteries for independent running of just the diesel and the other position deactivates the internals and connects the engine wiring to an external trailing car which is a box car with 3 HD lantern batteries wired in series. I haven't yet tested my run time with those yet. Hope you enjoy the pictures!http://home.stny.rr.com/bomansinusa/GP38-2/