Login
or
Register
Home
»
Garden Railways
»
Forums
»
Garden Railroading
»
Inexpensive RC / Battery conversion For Bachmann 4-6-0
Edit topic
Updated your discussion topic below.
Subject
Enter a subject for your topic. Maximum 150 characters.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
<p>Hi all,</p><p>Even though I'm a newbie to G scale, I knew that I wanted to convert my recently acquired Bachmann 4-6-0 to battery operation to eliminate all of the problems associated with track power. Therefore, when I saw a post by David Vergun (FJ and G) describing the installation of ProBoats ESC in one of his O scale loco's, I was very much interested. This ESC has forward and reverse, is water proof, and, was designed for use in RC boats. If you would like to read Dave's initial post, search for " a control system that's not for everyone" in the "Toy train operating and collecting" forum.</p><p>My Bachmann loco has a factory installed smoke and sound system. While I'm sure that it is not up to par with some of the after market systems, it sounded great to me, and, I saw no good reason to replace it. What I needed was a basic speed controller, not all of the other "bells and whistles" that come along with the packages sold exclusively for trains.</p><p>One of my main concerns when I read Dave's original post, was that the ProBoat speed controller is rated for 4-10 cells (12 volts max.). However, since I had plenty of room in my G scale tender, I wanted to use a 12 cell pack (14.4 volts). Realizing that manufatures sometimes under-rate their products to minimize warranty claims, I decided to take the risk that this unit would handle 14.4 volts. Since the unit sells for only $39.99....if I blew it up...so what!!!</p><p>I ordered the unit, and, while I was waiting for it to arrive, I picked up 12 AA, 2500 mah, NiMH batteries at Wall-Mart, along with battery clips, DC connectors and a fuse holder from Radio Shack. When the unit arrived, it took me about 4 hours to install all components in the tender of the 4-6-0. For the initial test run, I installed a 3 amp fuse.... just in case the 14.4 volts was too much for the controller....I figured the fuse would blow before the controller went up in smoke!</p><p>I am happy to report that the system has been running problem free for the past 5 days on my small test oval. Even with the 14.4 battery pack, the controller runs very cool....absolutely no sign of overheating. I have the receiver antenna wrapped in a spiral loop and affixed to the top inside of the tender, and, have a range of over 70 feet. I did not find it necessary to install RF chokes or capacitors to minimize electrical noise from the motor. I assume this is because all components are installed in the tender.... well away from the motor.</p><p>Runtime with the 14.4 battery pack is over 4 hours. (Engine & tender pulling 3 cars on flat surface)</p><p>The total cost of this system, not including the TX and RX which I already owned, was approximately $80 dollars: </p><p>- Pro Boat ESC = $39.99</p><p>- 12 AA, 2500 mah, NiMH batteries @ Wal-Mart $19.00</p><p>- Miscellaneous parts @ Radio Shack = $20.00</p><p>Following is a link to the ProBoat ESC sold by Horizon Hobby. </p><p><a href="http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB2314">http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PRB2314</a></p><p>Any questions, please email me at <a href="mailto:soda1@ix.netcom.com">soda1@ix.netcom.com</a></p><p>Regards, Junnie</p>
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
E-mail Subscribe
Check the box below if you want to receive e-mail notifications when replies are made to this thread.
Receive notifications
Update Discussion Topic
Search the Community
FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER
Get the
Garden Railways
newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month
Sign up
By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from
Garden Railways
magazine. Please view our
privacy policy
More great sites from Kalmbach Media
Terms Of Use
|
Privacy Policy
|
Copyright Policy