Bachmann Consolidation

[cacole]

I have a Bachmann Spectrum narrow gauge Consolidation that I want to operate from battery power and the new AirWire 900 DCC radio control system being developed by CVP Products. My question is, what type of battery would be small enough to fit and provide ample running time. CVP recommends GelCell, and their system will operate on 12-20 volts; however, the only 12 volt GelCell I have found barely fits in the tender. I would prefer to use a slightly higher voltage so I can also install a speaker and sound board by perhaps using two NiCad 9.6 volt race car batteries in series so I get 19.2 volts output at 1000 mAh

[cacole]

I have a Bachmann Spectrum narrow gauge Consolidation that I want to operate from battery power and the new AirWire 900 DCC radio control system being developed by CVP Products. My question is, what type of battery would be small enough to fit and provide ample running time. CVP recommends GelCell, and their system will operate on 12-20 volts; however, the only 12 volt GelCell I have found barely fits in the tender. I would prefer to use a slightly higher voltage so I can also install a speaker and sound board by perhaps using two NiCad 9.6 volt race car batteries in series so I get 19.2 volts output at 1000 mAh

[Anonymous]

The best thing for you is to use two 9.6 volt battries and put them in following car. There is going to be a size issue unless you goto lithium Ion batteries but I have not seen any where that will help in the wiring of those into a train application. I'm using Dyna-power 7.2 volt NiCads for my train and they fit into my Bachmann 'Annie' Tender just fine. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

The best thing for you is to use two 9.6 volt battries and put them in following car. There is going to be a size issue unless you goto lithium Ion batteries but I have not seen any where that will help in the wiring of those into a train application. I'm using Dyna-power 7.2 volt NiCads for my train and they fit into my Bachmann 'Annie' Tender just fine. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I have a Bachmann 2-6-0 and have installed a digital speed control from an r/c race car. It runs on a max of 9.6v so all I use for power is a battery pack of 8 x 2100mah Nimh rechargables in AA size. This gives me a run time of about 40 minutes before recharge. This also stops the train taking off like a racing train because of the lower voltage. I removed the sound card and speaker from the tender as it is very soft sound when running outside anyway. This gave me enough room to get it all in there without many modifications.

Worth a try

[Anonymous]

I have a Bachmann 2-6-0 and have installed a digital speed control from an r/c race car. It runs on a max of 9.6v so all I use for power is a battery pack of 8 x 2100mah Nimh rechargables in AA size. This gives me a run time of about 40 minutes before recharge. This also stops the train taking off like a racing train because of the lower voltage. I removed the sound card and speaker from the tender as it is very soft sound when running outside anyway. This gave me enough room to get it all in there without many modifications.

Worth a try

[Anonymous]

I am running a Bachmann Hauler with a Barry drive. I have two 9.9V NiMh Batt. packs stacked in front of the speaker and a Train engineer trackside receiver mounted under a raised coal load. However I have checked and found that the Batts. will fit under the standard load. When I convert my 4-6-0 anniversary baldwin with a controller designed for on board, thats where the Batts. will go.
The NiMh batts are sure expensive though.

Gary Luke
St. George, Utah

[Anonymous]

I am running a Bachmann Hauler with a Barry drive. I have two 9.9V NiMh Batt. packs stacked in front of the speaker and a Train engineer trackside receiver mounted under a raised coal load. However I have checked and found that the Batts. will fit under the standard load. When I convert my 4-6-0 anniversary baldwin with a controller designed for on board, thats where the Batts. will go.
The NiMh batts are sure expensive though.

Gary Luke
St. George, Utah

[Anonymous]

What are your recommendationd for a system for my tenth anniversary loco? What wouold you fellows use?
Don

[Anonymous]

What are your recommendationd for a system for my tenth anniversary loco? What wouold you fellows use?
Don

[Anonymous]

I have put 12 NiMH size AA in a box I made from 1/8 styrene in the 2-8-0 tender along with a locolinc receiver, interface PC card, and Sierra sound system w/speaker in the tender. All of this fits with room to spare. There is also just enough room in the back of the boiler for 12 AA batteries or the electronics without having to take out the weights.
Roger

[Anonymous]

I have put 12 NiMH size AA in a box I made from 1/8 styrene in the 2-8-0 tender along with a locolinc receiver, interface PC card, and Sierra sound system w/speaker in the tender. All of this fits with room to spare. There is also just enough room in the back of the boiler for 12 AA batteries or the electronics without having to take out the weights.
Roger

[grandpopswalt]

Cacole,

I think the gelcell is a bad idea. The energy output vs. weight and size just don't make sense when you have so many other options available. For my money, NiMH batteries are the best value. They have a high energy per ounce ratio, are relatively inexpensive, and their chargers are reasonably priced.

Walt

[grandpopswalt]

Cacole,

I think the gelcell is a bad idea. The energy output vs. weight and size just don't make sense when you have so many other options available. For my money, NiMH batteries are the best value. They have a high energy per ounce ratio, are relatively inexpensive, and their chargers are reasonably priced.

Walt