I have had one of these beasties for quite a while. It was used as a Test Bed for a Loco that I fitted Crest in for a friend, prooving that the Battery Car set up would work. But as with all 0-4-0's (well most) they do not run satisfactorily reliable for Timetable Running. So as I have been enhancing my Battery Fleet, this baby was next in line to get the treatment. In truth I have always wondered about the viability of this conversion:-
Would I get enough Batteries in?
Would the Sound System fit
Could I stuff all the wires in place neatly?
Well this far I think that it will work.
First job was Batteries. I originally played with the concept of Tagged Batteries, but as I had in stock a 8 Pack Battery Holder and 7 2500 with one 2000 (all NiMh). I thought that I can use this little lot to get going with no delays, well it was Raining all day yesterday in St.Nits. That pack was loaded and coupled to a Charging Socket then tried out with the Smart Charger whilst I fitted up the Switches and Things. The little beast did turn its wheels on the badly undercharged lash up so I felt in order to move forwards.
Happily the Battery Pack just nicely fitted into the Cab Backplate leaving room in front for the Aristo Electronics. This pic with the Weight removed.
I fitted the on/off Switch to the Front Right facing the Chimney. This is the side that will normally be on view when the Loco is Running. Thus making it easily accesible. When Off the Charging Circuit is in place, isolating the Aristo Kit. The 3 wires from the Switch come up into the Cab within Black Heat Shrink to disguise them somewhat. The second pic shows this emerging from the gloomy underneath in front of Driver Herr Fluck's oops Flick's Feet.
The charging Socket is the opposite side in pretty much the same location. Just two wires here, the Red goes direct to the Switch. Black to the Battery.
Again I used the Heat Shrink disguise. The socket outside will get a touch of Matt Red round the Nut and Washer later on in the build.
Finally the Aristo Link Push Button has been put on the same side as the Battery Socket, but further forwards. In this lication it is near invisible. But is accesible for the odd occasion when linking is required.
Once the Batteries successfully charged up I felt happy to do a Lash Up to see that everything worked. In truth the Steam Sound Board has been problamatical, though the Motor Works OK sound is just the odd click when turned on and F1 Pressed. I may need to delve into the Manual (cheating I know) to see if this can be resolved. If not, I will fit a Working Diesel Sound Card for the time being and have another Steam Sound one en route at some stage. Very messy lash up but it does run the Motor OK. Not very clear here is the 1inch that I lopped of the front of the Weight. It is now held in place with just one screw. The Plastic Pip that the Screw went to has also be lopped off to aid Sound Card Fitting. Also I have put some Jaffa Tape in place to isolate the Weight, just in case. You can also see where surplus plastic has been hacked to get the Push Button in place below.
I have starte to tidy up the wires a bit here, plus you can better see the Wires in Heat Shrink comming up from the Switches et all below and dissapearing through the hole where the original LGB Switch fitted.
Herr Flick still does not look amused, what will happen to his Fireman. Does redundancy approach with all this new fangled Electrics? Certainly Flick will be able to return home with his clothes less soiled as shown here! Frau Flick will I am sure be impressed.
Finally at this stage I removed the Chassis Base plate and took out all the Pick Up Sliders and the Wheel Back Pickups. Takes away drag to save Battery Power. This little lot went into the LGB Spare Parts Box.
JonD
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