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Lgb battery/rc conversion

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  • Member since
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  • From: Des Moines, Ia
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Lgb battery/rc conversion
Posted by icepuck on Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:44 PM

Has anyone here converted an Lgb 20232 0-4-0 to battery/rc? Has it been done? If not what would be a compatible decoder so I could at least run some sort of rc. I bought this one used so I can experiment with some mods on this one first.

-dan 

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Posted by TonyWalsham on Sunday, June 24, 2007 8:54 PM

Hi Dan,

We would be better able to advise you if you tell us what an LGB 20232 is.

I know you said an 0-4-0.  An 0-4-0 what?  Steam engine? Tank loco? Tender loco?  Diesel?

Not all of us are familiar with LGB numbering.

Best wishes,

Tony Walsham

   (Remote Control Systems) http://www.rcs-rc.com

Modern technology.  Old fashioned reliability.

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Posted by icepuck on Sunday, June 24, 2007 10:37 PM

 It's an 0-4-0 steam loco with tender (analog with sound) from the LGB UP 72432 starter set.This has been an indoor train so far. I'd like to go with battery power for future outside use, if not I'll keep it for indoor (on track power) use.

-dan 

 

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Posted by TonyWalsham on Sunday, June 24, 2007 11:36 PM

Dan,

I don't know of anyone who has done a battery R/C conversion of that loco but, if the tender is empty, then I can see no reason why you could not fit the batteries and controller in the tender.

Best wishes,

Tony Walsham

   (Remote Control Systems) http://www.rcs-rc.com

Modern technology.  Old fashioned reliability.

REI
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Posted by REI on Monday, June 25, 2007 12:27 AM

I have the standard steam/passenger LGB starter set and I've thought of hiring someone to convert my LGB 0-4-0 German steam locomotive into battery power so I could run on my powerless track. But I thought it over and thought that it would be killing the loco if I did that and plus, I'd never heard of an LGB being converted to rc/battery, so I never did it and will never do it.

"Howdy folks! And welcome aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad!"
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Posted by TonyWalsham on Monday, June 25, 2007 6:56 AM

Can you explain what you mean by "converting a loco will kill it"?

I have been converting LGB locos to battery R/C since 1985.  As yet I have never managed to damage one by simply converting it to battery R/C.

 I think you will find that generally battery R/C makes them run much more smoothly as the power to the motor(s) from an on board battery R/C controller is much more reliable than track pick up.

It is essential to follow some basic installation rules such as "DO NOT USE PWM WITH LGB DCC or SOUND".  The same rule applies to any DCC decoder equipped loco. The PWM signal from most on board battery R/C controllers can confuse the onboard decoders and in the worst case actually damage the receivers and sound systems.  One should not use PWM without some modifications to LGB locos. 

The information on how to go about installing battery R/C into any brand of loco is readily available on the net. 

Perhaps you should ask how to do it.  Especially as the cost of brass/stainless track is making the use of aluminium track and battery R/C much more cost efficient.

Best wishes,

Tony Walsham

   (Remote Control Systems) http://www.rcs-rc.com

Modern technology.  Old fashioned reliability.

REI
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Posted by REI on Monday, June 25, 2007 9:45 PM
 TonyWalsham wrote:

Can you explain what you mean by "converting a loco will kill it"?

Well what I mean to say is that it could somewhat lower its value (the set did cost me $350).

I might go on and learn how to convert in the future (or just hire someone!)Smile [:)] But I would be more prone to convert Bachmann Big Haulers rather than L.G.B.s. I say that because LGBs are more expensive than Bachmanns. It's good to know that you've been doing LGB conversions for a long time now.

"Howdy folks! And welcome aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad!"
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Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 25, 2007 10:50 PM

Go to http://www.rcs-rc.com/ and load the page then look for a blue bar and one sayes "Contacts", click that one. Will show you dealers of RCS. I have went with Dave for a Boomerang system, at this point can not say what it is for.

I give them Thumbs Up [tup]Thumbs Up [tup] up!

Note: I do not sell the systems and nor am I working in any way with RCS or its dealers.

 

REI
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Posted by REI on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 1:14 AM
Thanks but I'm not able to do anything at the moment-I'm moving and gotta pack up the whole house so you can imagine.Sleepy [|)] But still, I'll keep it in mind for whenever I get the chance.
"Howdy folks! And welcome aboard the Walt Disney World Railroad!"
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Posted by calenelson on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 8:06 AM

I am in process of converting my 4th loco to the RCS brand.

Installation is a breeze...(I do have a telecom background)...I'd think just about anyone could do it!  The instructions that accompany the RCS products are very easy to follow, and the dealer support is fabulous!  I purchase all of my gear from Dave Goodson at NWRCS.  Tony has also been a key player in keeping us on track!

Currently I am working on a LGB Sumpter Valley Diesel Switcher for my son, who will be 4 on July 2nd.  The engine will be self contained, with a Dallee Sound Card (U25B) in a trail car for the extra effect!  Eli will also receive his "own" TX-24 (remote transmitter) so he can drive the train himself(and blow the horn and ring bell)!

I started with a Bachmann Annie...It was really easy!  There is a ton of room in the tender!

There you can see...the batteries, the RCS Elite Throttle, the Sierra Sound Card, the RCS Sierra Battery Eliminator (SSI), antenna and pwr/vol switches.

I think the LGB engine would be a good candidate for self-conversion, or let a pro like Dave help you out.

Re-sale value has never been a concern of mine...I buy them to play with!

Good Luck all!

 

cale

my thoughts are just that, I have received no payment from NWRCS or RCS in conjunction with posting...but I am One of Many Happy Customers!

the Z... your Positive Alternative.
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Posted by icepuck on Saturday, July 14, 2007 6:11 PM

I just found what I was looking for

http://www.lgbdirect.com/up-2-4-0.php

I hope this helps anyone else who may have one of these locos. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Des Moines, Ia
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Posted by icepuck on Monday, July 30, 2007 7:24 PM

I found a local dealer that had two 55021 decoders left,so I bought them.

I installed the decoders as described in the web page. The only problem I had was with the loco, It took some carefull prying to get the cab off. Now that the decoders are installed the sounds run when the loco isn't moving and when the loco does move, the sounds quit. Hopefully reprograming the decoders will fix things. 

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Posted by icepuck on Monday, July 30, 2007 8:21 PM

This is my LGB 2-4-0 at the last CIGRS(at a members layout) meet, its in the background and hard to see. Sad to say this is my best photo of my loco at the meet.

 

BTW, I just figured out how to post photos... 

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Posted by Snoq. Pass RR on Monday, July 30, 2007 9:28 PM

Active link from icepuck....

http://www.lgbdirect.com/up-2-4-0.php

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