Best Batteries

[Anonymous]

I am new to an extent to the whole R/C and radio control throttle system and batteries. I own several engines including a Bachmann shay, climax and an 0-4-0T Kalamazoo tank engine. I'm very sick of trying to use track power on my layout because of its size and magnitude, but do not want to be forced to always bring a battery car with each engine I own. Because of the small size of the engines noted, I am curious as to which batteries are the smallest, yet provide power for the longest life. My goal is to rit radio control into them for remote operation but I definately do not want to recharge batteries every hour. My basic question is what batteries are the best in terms of size and life, as well as prices on them if possible.

[Marty Cozad]

Personally I think there is NO "best". You should get lots of answers on this. I know many guys who buy from Radio Shack. I have some from Toys ar them. 9.6. I'd make it so you can change out batteries so you can keep running VS shuting down an engine during charge up.

[cacole]

Read the other posts in this area, particularly the one that mentions the Bay Area Garden Railroaders, and look at their Web site for a good summation of how to battery power small locomotives and the types of batteries they used.

[Anonymous]

you may want to go
NI Mh Batteries Are the way to go at this point .
Take up less space than gell cells .
Ni Mh Give you more Amps per size compared to Ni Cad rechargable not to mention re-charge Memmory issuse that go along with Ni cad Batteries
I have tried them all

[TonyWalsham]

The Bachmann Climax is a pretty small loco.
Arguably the most difficult in which to install battery R/C.
Especially if you want sound as well.
I have created special battery packs for difficult situations. Triangular 7.2 volt 700 mah "AAA" NiMH cells which gives about an hour run time.



I have done many such installations in smallish locos and had to devise an unobtrusive system of plugging in auxilliary batteries to extend run times and save the on board batteries for running light engine.
Sub "C" cells will fit inside "logs" which can be easily disguised.

This what I came up with and it has been a very reliable circuit for many years. The circuit can be used with any brand of R/C.



The parts are available readily from electronics houses.
The jack is on the rear of the loco. The idea can be varied for double ended diesels.

Whilst I use and recommend NiMH batteries be advised that they have a recharge cycle life of about half that of NiCd.
NiCd can be about 1,000 recharges.
NiMh are less than 500 recharges.
Still, if you run once a week, the difference is something like ten years use.
With proper treatment NiCd need not suffer the dreaded "memory effect" that is a claim that NiMh chemistry makes.
To me the only real advantage NiMh has over NiCd, is they are relatively "GREEN".

Best wishes,

Tony Walsham (RCS).

[Chompers]

Lithiom Ions!!!!!

i know that they are more expencive, but they have them on clearance at www.batteryspace.com each cell has 2240 mah and can be charged 1000 times. the voltage rating on each is 3.5 volts. thay can handle a maximum of 5 amps.

[wa1lbk]

Be careful with lithium ions, they require special chargers! This issue came to light in the electric RC airplane field over the last year or so; lithium ion & lithium polymer batteries are rapidly becoming popular for electric RC airplane use because of their light weight (not particularly a consideration for garden RR use) & high power output; but they do NOT take kindly to overcharging (translation: EXPLODE INTO A BALL OF FLAME!!!)! [xx(] If you buy lithium ion or lithium polymer cells, be CERTAIN you get a charger designed for them! NiMH is next closest in terms of size vs. power output, then Nicad, finally lead-acid gell cells. Some of the recent articles in Garden Railways have had pretty good information on chargers - you might also want to check out some of the hobby shops that also cater to the electric RC aircraft field as well. Tom

[Chompers]

i know,
if you go to www.bateryspace.com you can get a special chargar and a 7.6 volt lithium ion pack w/ an overcharge / over drane chip. only $35.99!!! I bought these for my Xmod and they work realy realy good.