Need some advice...these batteries are HEAVY

[Pagardener]

We just installed 2 NiMH battery sticks (14.4v altogether 3300mah) into the tender of the Silverton (big Hauler) 4-6-0 loco.[:D] Boy is the tender HEAVY now[:0]. Do you think we should add weight to the engine[?] Would that help at all[?] We will be doing the same to the D&RG Annie (they are both alike) and we are worried about hauling that weight up our 4% grade..and we thought adding weight to the engine might give it more traction..[:I] but what do I know!!!! Our AirWire decoders/throttle came today...the engine is already apart..we could use some advice[8)]
Thank you
Barbara

[cabbage]

Barbara,

I normally try to locate the batteries in the loco -we share similar geography (and possibly geology!!!)

One of my 6V 4.2Ah SLA cells weighs in at around 1.2Kg -most of my locos take two of them.

Try a simple experiment.

Put a length of track on a plank and slowly raise one end until loco and tender start slipping -this is the limiting friction of your loco and tender. This means that the weight of the loco and tender pulling back is LESS THAN the friction of the wheels on the rails.

Now add a coach (or two) and repeat the experiment.

The train will start slipping at a lower elevation now add weights to the loco until the train slips at the same elevation as the loco and tender alone.

Hopefully the loco should now be able to climb a 4% gradient!!!

Seriously though having the batteries in the loco will both improve traction and pulling power.

regards

ralph

[grandpopswalt]

I think that all of us who install batteries have the same problem. I've installed ball bearings in the journals of the tender trucks. This doesn't make it any lighter, but it sure makes it easier for the engine to pull. Although, when going up a grade the bearings will probably not be that much help (you're now working against gravity instead of friction).

I also agree that if you can, get some of those batteries into the engine.

Walt

[TonyWalsham]

Barbara,

I have been putting twin stick packs in Big Hauler tenders for years. They cope with them quite well.
I don't advise having the batteries in the boiler because it will complicate the wiring quite a bit as it will mean extra connections between the loco and the tender. Plus it makes access to the batteries more difficult.
However if you are confident with wiring go ahead.

If you do decide to stay with batteries in the tender, hold off putting any extra weight in the loco until you see how it performs. If weight is needed you will have to add some over the drivers only. But not too much.

[Pagardener]

Just an update....we kept the batteries in the tender..added 4 cars and caboose and did a test run. The Annie went up that grade like a trooper [8D]all the way to the trestle which is the downhill run. We did not go over the trestle as it still needs some additions so we backed the train up all the way home [:)]. To say the least we are pleased!!!!!
Barbara

[jnichols]

You may also want to try the new Li-Ion cell packs with voltage regulation from Batteryspace.com. I have converted all of my locomotives over to these and so far I am very impressed. They weigh 1/3 - 1/4 of comparable NiMh battery packs and give much more linear performance over the entire discharge cycle. You will need to use a special charger for these, but the folks at Batteryspace have them packaged with some of the battery packs and they are very affordable.

Good luck!!!

[tangerine-jack]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jnichols

You may also want to try the new Li-Ion cell packs with voltage regulation from Batteryspace.com. I have converted all of my locomotives over to these and so far I am very impressed. They weigh 1/3 - 1/4 of comparable NiMh battery packs and give much more linear performance over the entire discharge cycle. You will need to use a special charger for these, but the folks at Batteryspace have them packaged with some of the battery packs and they are very affordable.

Good luck!!!

Can you give me a stock number on those batts? I want to convert my Big H to battery power. Thanks!


[oX)]

[jnichols]

Tangerine-Jack,

Here is a link to the page on their website. They have many styles and sizes to choose from. Good Luck!

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=740