Batteries and chargers

[kstrong]

While there have been attempts in the past to charge batteries via track power, it's never really become a viable option. The primary driving force for that stemmed from the early days of battery power when gel cells and lead-acid batteries were the order of the day. These took hours upon hours to charge, so keeping them "fresh" with a trickle charge was thought to prolong life. Once NiCads that could be jam-charged in 20 minutes came along, the need to continually charge batteries really fell by the wayside. Modelers could charge two sets of batteries in the time it took one to run flat, so continuous operation wasn't a problem--provided the batteries could be removed. And if they couldn't, the loco was still only out of service for 30 - 40 minutes--enough for a lunch break, then back for more railroading.

That, and most came to realize the reason for going to battery power was to avoid having to clean the track and do fancy wiring. Using the rails as a charger necessitated cleaning the track and fancy wiring. Where did the advantage go?

As for your particular situation, you should easily be able to fit 12 AA size NiMH batteries into each of those tenders, so you won't need at rail car. See the related thread on "best batteries" for more on various types of batteries.

Later,

K

[S&G Rute of the Silver River]

You an't the olny one thats confused!

Other posts have covered this but, the gist of it is you are better picking one or the other, seeing that you need more eloctronics that complicate the system. going to batteries is mostly to run outside (where water is, and we all know how well water and electricty mix) well, and painfully.

[underworld]

Nickel Metal Hydride, Lithium Ion, Or Lithium Polymer will give the best results. Can't help with the charger for on board.

 

underworld

[two tone]

If you run the loco when charging batts you will not get a full charge, you need a charging bay to let batts have a full charge , you will then get a good run 3 plus hours. If you insist on running and charging then you will need new batts every 3-6- months  But the choice is yours we can only put our in

[daddy8rene]

The more I investigate the less I know!

Battery power is what I think I want, but I run small locos and don't necessarily want a trailing car as my consists change. My locos are; Aristo 0-4-0 (have added the tender, have 2 for long haul aplications) and have ordered the new C-16 2-8-0, plus I have a 12 volt Hartland Loco 4-4-0. I think the Aristo's are 24 volt, but not sure.

I have basic soldering skills and probably more electrical confusion than most, so simplicity would be most helpful.

My biggest question is what kind of batteries and charging systems should I use. I run on Stainless Steel rails and can power it with the basic Train Engineer (radio that controls track voltage) that came with the starter set. Can I use this track voltage to power a onboard charger? Would electrical gaps influence the charging cycle? Can I charge them as I use them?The whole point to going batteries is simplifcation of the wiring afterall, so dead spots will occur, wire 'em out.

Presently I run on a large oval with several spurs and a passing track, but if I can get the power sorted out, I want to go linear with out and backs that I can turn my back on when I get distracted by the grand nephews...

 

Any help will be greatfully appreciated,

John