RC Trains

[Anonymous]

I have been reading about RC trains.

Since I also am invloved with RC Racing, I would like to know how this works with trains. Is it truly like other RC products in that there is no wiring and the batteries are in the train.

I have read that Aristocraft makes RC trains but so far I have not been able to get an answer to the question above.

Also can I use Aristocraft track outside?

Thanks

Nikon Guy

[Anonymous]

Nicon,
Yes it is true. There are pros and cons to battery power as well as track power. If you do a search in this forum, you will find many threads where people debate the merits of battery vs track power. Your choice will depend on where your preferences lie.
There are a number of choices for brands of RC. Each brand has it strong and weak points. Again, review the literature and pick your system.
For batteries, you will find people running everything from Pb (Sealed Lead) to NiMh to LiPo. For G gage trains, we have a lot more space to work with that you had in the RC cars & trucks plus we can carry a lot more weight.
Batteries can be hosted in the loco or in a trailing car. To give you an idea of what people do, I use the Locolinc RC system with the Phoenix 2K2 sound system and I have batteries in loco's or trailing car depending on how I have individual trains set up. My battery packs range from 18V (3x6v) of Pb to 16.8V of NiMh plus some other odd combos sized for specific loco's. If you put batteries in the loco's, you will be driven toward NiMh or LiPo due to space limits. However, boxcars have a lot of space and you can use larger Pb batteries...plus they are a lot cheaper.
I am sure you will get mor comments.
Paul D

[TonyWalsham]

Hello Nikon Guy.

There are two or three main ways to R/C Trains.
One is to R/C the track voltage so that you can have a cordless walkaround control.
This is very popular and there are a number of brands available to do it.
You do of course need to power the track with the attendant problems and cost that is associated with track power.
A track powered starter set is made by AristoCraft that includes a low cost R/C controller.

Another way is to have batteries and an R/C controller on board the loco or in a trail car tagging along.
With this method you have two completely different types of R/C systems used.
The most popular way is to use any one of the proprietary R/C systems such as made by CVP, Crest TE and RCS. These are small handhelds that are designed specifically to operate trains.
The other way for battery R/C is to adapt regular stick type Digital Proportional R/C systems to run trains. Although the Electronic Speed Controllers (ESC's) made for cars and boats etc can be used they generally are not capable of handling the higher voltages LS trains use. There are a number of train suitable R/C ESC's made including those from Action R/C (RCS) and Reeds hobby shop.

Another way to have R/C is to run constant voltage on the track and use that to power on board ESC's that would normally use batteries. It is even possile to have both track power and batteries in a loco.
For a number of technical reasons I do not recommend using track power to keep batteries charged. It depends on the type of battery you choose.

One more way is to R/C full DCC systems. Again that means powering the track.

If using R/C really does interest you ask around before committing to a lot a of money.
You never know, a good argument can be made for battery R/C actually working out less expensive than regular track power. Depends on what you want to do.

Spelling mistake corrected.

[kstrong]

Tony wrote: "One is to R/C the track voltage so that you can have a codless walkaround control." (emphasis mine)

Good to know, because I hate having to carry a fish with me. [:P]

Seriously, Tony knows of what he speaks. The most common form of R/C uses onboard batteries, as the idea is to eliminate the need for complex wiring to the rails, or even simply the need to maintain electrical conductivity. Many folks are now using the NiMH batteries that we can get at Wal-Mart. We don't need the high-amperage output that the high-end racing packs put out, since our trains seldom draw more than an amp or two at the most. As for which brand of throttle to use, ask what people think of the various systems. Each has its loyal following, just like--as your handle suggests--cameras. (I'm a Canon guy, myself.)

And yes, you can use the Aristocraft track outdoors. The only track that's not suitable for outdoors is the crappy stuff that comes with the Bachmann starter sets. (Even Bachmann recommends Aristocraft track...)

Good luck!

Later,

K

[TonyWalsham]

Touche Kevin.

Mistake now corrected.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your input. I think I want to go the true RC route and not mess with any wiring at all.

Do you have any suggestions as to where I should look for a true RC train.

[bman36]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nikonguy

Thanks for your input. I think I want to go the true RC route and not mess with any wiring at all.

Do you have any suggestions as to where I should look for a true RC train.

Hi there,
Your best bet is find what you like in terms of a loco and convert to R/C.
A "true" R/C train where you get a transmitter, receiver, batteries, charger, etc. all with the loco does not exist. At least I have never seen one. If you are already involved in R/C cars then you already know your way around setting up for R/C. The higher end cars are sold without R/C and you add your favorite system to it. Be it Futaba, JR, or whatever, the same holds true with our trains. Hope this is of some help to you. Later eh...Brian.

[TonyWalsham]

Nikon Guy.
Based on the examples of what types of R/C trains we have listed above, perhaps you could tell us what it is you mean by a "true R/C train".
Then we can give you more specific advice.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, did not mean to sound vague. I'm still new at this. I would like to have train that does not rely on wiring and a power supply to provide power to the track..

I was hoping I could find one that has the batteries on board and that would use a radio for the signal similar to what you find with RC planes, boats and cars. And all you have to do is charge the batteries and go.

I realize that to provide power to any accessories I might add, I would need a power supply and wiring, but the for the train itself, I would like to use batteries.

Thanks

[TonyWalsham]

Nikon Guy.
The short answer is that the only RTR battery R/C locos that come complete are those made by Playmobil.
Whilst they are excellent products they are primarily aimed at children and offer excellent play value.

That means if you want to have more realistic battery R/C locos you will need to convert regular track powered locos to battery R/C.
Some are easy to do, many are not.
There are a myriad ways of doing that and you need to decide what type of train you want to run.
Might I suggest you start with deciding if you want narrow gauge or mainline types.
Then decide if you want to just "switch it on and let it run" or whether or not you would rather have the capability of intensive operation.
If the former, having the batteries and equipment in a trail car is a viable option and is the simplest method.
If the latter you will likely prefer to have everything inside the loco. That can get complicated especially if you are comptemplating real time sound as well.

Any further preferences you could provide would be useful in our assisting you with making informed choices.

[piercedan]

The closest you can come to a ready made RC battery train is Aristocraft sells all the pieces separately and you have to put them all together. They make several plug and play engines for their battery/RC system.

Other wise, pick up a copy of Garden Railways and look at the ads for RC. There are dealers out there that will do all the work for you and sell you a running package.

The train forums are great for information. In the end you have to decide what is best for you. Forums do give lots of insight to the different systems and we all have our own preferences.