GRS Peckett converted to battery power + video

ge_rik

ge_rik

British narrow gauge (esp. Southwold and W&LLR)
Country flag
Recently converted my Toytrain motor-blocked, GRS kitbuilt Peckett to battery power. I probably could have completely dismantled her, removed the lead weights from the saddle tank and put the batteries in there - but I decided to go for the easier, if less elegant option of housing three tagged 18650 batteries in the cab.
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I`ve not yet found a source for protected 18650s with tags and so I installed a battery protection board. Cost around a fiver (from China) ....
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It not only includes protection against overload, over-discharge and short circuit, it also manages balanced battery charging. There`s even a battery level monitor with four LEDs to indicate the level of charge remaining.
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Here`s a diagram of the circuitry involved - not at all complicated
1-wiring diagram.jpg

She runs well and with skates and pick-ups removed has good hauling power
1-IMG_8437.JPG

Rik
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

Nice job, lovely loco and I ask did you find the battery protection board on e-bay? Jeremy
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

Jeremy Viewing said:
Nice job, lovely loco and I ask did you find the battery protection board on e-bay? Jeremy
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Hi Jeremy
Yes - two boards for under £9.00 (inc postage)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321060872067

Rik

PS - Also includes a heat sensor on a flying lead which I removed. I don't tend to fast-charge and so felt it was unnecessary
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

Yes, thats a nice conversion. Did you use a Deltang receiver ? and what sort of charger do you use ?
 
[quote author=Dtsteam link=topic=300854.msg345979#msg345979 date=1425908419]
Yes, thats a nice conversion. Did you use a Deltang receiver ? and what sort of charger do you use ?
[/quote]
Hi
Yes, A Deltang Rx65b. Here you can see how the body and motor block fit together with the protection board sandwiched between the cab floor and the footplate of the motor block. The receiver (which as you can see is tiny) just slots into the firebox. The extra switch is there in case I want to install a sound card.
1-IMG_8429.JPG

Rik
PS - Sorry - just seen your other question - I used an Imax B6 charger. This does support balance charging but the board saves including the extra socket such as that I used on my last Manning Wardle build -
1-IMG_8571.JPG
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

Jeremy Viewing said:
Nice job, lovely loco and I ask did you find the battery protection board on e-bay? Jeremy
Click to expand...

Thanks Rik, really helpful, just order two. Jeremy
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

Very neat, and an informative tread.. I had been meaning to look-up balanced charging. - I understood the concept, but not the 'mechanics' of it.. This thread, and your schematic, answers a lot of questions.

I would paint the batteries cream / black though. ;)
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

PhilP said:
I would paint the batteries cream / black though. ;)
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Hi Phil
Yes - I was thinking that too - or maybe grey - anything to help them disappear into the background

Rik
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

nice job
how long does it run for on the 3 batteries?
 
Re: GRS Peckett converted to battery power

owlpool said:
nice job
how long does it run for on the 3 batteries?
Click to expand...
Hi Paul
Not sure yet, I've not run it long enough to find out. I was running her for about an hour and a half yesterday (with quite heavy loads) and the battery monitor is still showing 100% - but not sure how accurate that battery monitor is. They are Samsung 2.3Ah batteries and I think she only draws about 0.5A so could be around 4h actual running time. If the weather improves, I might try running her continuously until she runs out of puff.

Rik
 
owlpool said:
Not bad
And I expect about 12h to charge?
So very usable
Click to expand...
Hi Paul
I tend to charge at around 0.8 amp so it doesn't take quite that long (somewhere around 4 hours).
Rik
 
owlpool said:
nice job
how long does it run for on the 3 batteries?
Click to expand...
Hi Paul
I did a test-run yesterday and this morning just to see how long the batteries lasted. I ran a train of eight wagons continuously for 5 hours yesterday afternoon and evening and then got another 20 mins out of them this morning before the protection board cut the power. Interestingly, the battery monitor showed there was still 75% of charge left - so it looks as if once it falls below 100% then you can assume the batteries are in need of a charge. These boards are intended for 4S (ie 4 cells) so presumably the monitor would be more reliable if you used it with 4 cells rather than three.

I've also found that the board tends to cut the power if charging at more than 0.5A. Not sure why as the blurb says it's rated for up to 8A. Anyway, I'm not complaining at under a fiver.

Rik
 
ge_rik said:
Hi Paul
I did a test-run yesterday and this morning just to see how long the batteries lasted. I ran a train of eight wagons continuously for 5 hours yesterday afternoon and evening and then got another 20 mins out of them this morning before the protection board cut the power. Interestingly, the battery monitor showed there was still 75% of charge left - so it looks as if once it falls below 100% then you can assume the batteries are in need of a charge. These boards are intended for 4S (ie 4 cells) so presumably the monitor would be more reliable if you used it with 4 cells rather than three.

I've also found that the board tends to cut the power if charging at more than 0.5A. Not sure why as the blurb says it's rated for up to 8A. Anyway, I'm not complaining at under a fiver.


Not bad at all
Makes it a very practical and affordable proposition

Rik
Click to expand...
 
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