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Subject: I'm Almost Sold...but Need Advice

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TonyWalsham User is Offline

Melbourne Vic Australia
Foreman

Foreman
Posts:242

07/23/2008 8:09 PM
Matt. I think it would be true to say almost every track powered loco ever made has been converted by at least one person to battery R/C. You might want to read up on how I do the Connie here: http://www.rcs-rc.com/PDF/Accessories/Instructions/Install_kits/TEN_LOC.pdf The same # TEN-LOC installation kit can also be used with the Annies.

Best wishes, Tony Walsham Remote Control Systems. www.rcs-rc.com/ Evolution Radio Control. www.evo-rc.net/ The primary problems of the planet arise not from the poor, for whom education is the answer. They arise from the well educated - for whom self interest is the problem. William Sloane Coffin.

Del Tapparo User is Offline

1st Class Member
Fort Collins, Colorado
Foreman

Foreman
Posts:174

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07/23/2008 9:52 PM
Posted By Matt Vogt on 07/23/2008 7:51 PM If it is that complicated, I guess I will just plan to not convert the Annies so I can use them for long runs. Thanks The Annies have a huge tender with room for plenty of battery power. You can easily get 4-5 hours of run time with a 14.4V, 4000 mah battery pack. You have 2 Annies. That is 9-10 hours of runtime.

G-Scale Graphics Custom Vinyl Lettering & Critter Controls www.GScaleGraphics.net

Pete Thornton User is Offline

1st Class Member
Annapolis, MD
Foreman

Foreman
Posts:416

07/24/2008 8:36 AM
The Annies also have a huge boiler with a big metal weight, which is easily replaced with a pair of 7.2V battery packs plus some lead to make up the equivalent weight. My Xmas 4-6-0 (not a real Annie) runs quite cheerfully with no tender. The wiring diagram on p.28 of my .PDF shows my original arrangement, with an RCS throttle inside the boiler in front of the battery packs. The charging jacks are under the cab floor, along with the on/off switch. I used one of the track pick-up wires as an antenna for the RCS throttle. AsTony says, that solution works at quite a long range (100' on Rog's RGSEast in my experience.) It would be very easy to add a DPDT switch to support track power. I think I have a photo somewhere of the inside of the boiler...

Dr G

1st Class Member
Ft Myers Florida
Foreman

Foreman
Posts:128

07/24/2008 9:20 AM
Matt, Just a thought. Like you ain't had enough of those I too was concerned about run time, but did not want track power. So my batteries are removable--I use a radio shack plug and a hatch in the top of my engine (admitedly a GP-38-2 diesel, but I would suspect a coal load would make a good removable hatch). I have 2 battery packs and can charge one and run on the other. My long term plan is inspired by Paul Burch's system of using the same battery packs in all engines (again diesels) and then just pop a charged one in whatever you want to run. Another plus is there is no charging jack on my engine--just take out the battery and plug it into the charger. Also good when a battery pack goes bad--don't have to take apart the engine and change the battery. Hope this helps. The other Matt

Matt--FEC Nut http://www.fecrs.com/

kcndrr

Central Cal

Brakeman
Posts:14

07/24/2008 10:13 AM
Put removable battery packs in mine for quick change/swap. In my two Aristo C-16s I put hinges on tender to open up for quick plug battery swap and just pop the coal load off my Annie to change battery, would never know they are RC/Battery control. Use USA reefers and box cars that have removable roofs to do the same for my diesels, just quick plug to change batteries in the car. Engine will always be able to run, no down time for charging. All my systems are the same setup so use same battery systems. Have plenty of batteries (72 AA & 4 li-ion), they are cheaper than engines whether they be steam or diesel. My system can use both 16 AA or 1-4 Aristo Li-Ion batteries for up to 24 volt input.

KC&D RW

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