Roundhouse battery loco, pre-purchase questionnaire

PhilP said:
If you want 'something in hand', and to allow the batteries to discharge a fair bit before having to stop..
You will want a minimum of 12V from the batteries. Also remember rechargeable batteries tend to be 1.2V.

Others have more experience of suitable voltages for this style of working, but 14.4V is often mentioned.
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http://cpc.farnell.com/ansmann/2447-3035/battery-pack-li-ion-4s2p-14-8v/dp/BT06049

Lith-ion, 14.8 Volts, 5.2 amp/hours, with built-in control board for safe operation.....

Jon.
 
That isn't expensive.
The same sort of battery here in Australia would be around A$200.
After making a reasonable profit, I have to sell locally assembled 2600 mah 14.8 volt packs for A$139.
 
Slightly off topic..
I suppose there is no mileage (sorry!) if going for a battery wagon of looking at the small sealed lead-acids, as used in UPS at all?
 
I have a cordless drill which I bought for £20. It has 18V detachable battery. But tricky bit is how to attach plugs to its terminals. It is too large for loco but not too bad if using trailing wagon.

I wonder how Playmobil or Newqida manages to make the locos so cheaply! AFAIK Playmobil is still made in Germany.
 
If your budget is tight I would have thought that analogue track power is the way to go; certainly a much larger choice of reasonably priced stuff 'off the shelf' both new and used. I'm not against battery power and have some myself, but it is not usually the cheapest option.
 
Playmobil is still made in Germany but also in other EU countries. For example, all the figures and some of the smaller sets are made in Malta and some sets are assembled up in the Czech Republic.
 
I have tested the regulator again with 18V drill battery. Loco runs fine [emoji3] Max speed is quite fast.

If I put the battery in trailing wagon, drill battery can fit. However the challenge is to find a suitable attachment to carry the power from drill battery. It must be removable so that drill battery can be removed for charging when needed.
 
Mobi said:
I have tested the regulator again with 18V drill battery. Loco runs fine [emoji3] Max speed is quite fast.

If I put the battery in trailing wagon, drill battery can fit. However the challenge is to find a suitable attachment to carry the power from drill battery. It must be removable so that drill battery can be removed for charging when needed.
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Encouraging progress. I can't over stress the wisdom of putting a fuse or similar overcurrent device in circuit if one isn't already present.
 
Neil Robinson said:
Encouraging progress. I can't over stress the wisdom of putting a fuse or similar overcurrent device in circuit if one isn't already present.
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Sound advice Neil.
JonD
 
Should it be 1 Ampere fuse? Any link of such fuse? Can it be added to circuit without any soldering?
 
Mobi said:
I wonder how Playmobil or Newqida manages to make the locos so cheaply! AFAIK Playmobil is still made in Germany.
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Largely down to volume I expect. The unit sales of G scale stock is not very high. Toys, at a much higher volume and possibly lower quality, are much cheaper - but obviously, with far less choice.
 
Mobi, no yes via Chic Blocks (Screw Terminal Blicks). But you need to learn how to Solder. Next time I will show you if you can allow a but longer in St.Neots. Tought my friends Girlfriend in 5 Minutes.
JonD
 
Another way of running via battery. Connected rear wheels of Stainz with crocodile clips.

Also, as the front wheels are exposed, similar connection might be made.
 

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Did anyone use 9V battery like this? http://www.electricianslink.net.au/pics/68/68693b.jpg

2 of these should provide with 18 V which is good enough. Also, they are available as rechargeable and charger is cheap. Size is small too.
 
Mobi said:
Did anyone use 9V battery like this? http://www.electricianslink.net.au/pics/68/68693b.jpg

2 of these should provide with 18 V which is good enough. Also, they are available as rechargeable and charger is cheap. Size is small too.
Click to expand...


I'm not an electrics specialist, but I think amp hours are important for running time.
 
Too small..
The capacity of a battery is loosely based in its' size.. You can't store much energy in a small battery like this, unfortunately..
Think of a balloon.. If you only blow it up a little, then there is not much 'puff' when you release the air. If you blow it up a lot, then more 'oomph' when you release then energy.. Or, you can release the air at a slower rate for a lot longer.
 
Ah, I see.

These 9 V batteries have typically 250 mAh capacity - nearly 10 times less than that of typical AA NiMH batteries :(
 
In theory, if the chosen loco draws around 1 amp under load expect about 15 mins run time from those 9 volt batteries.
By comparison, 4 x AA size Lithium Ion cells in series will produce 14.8 volts at around 850 mah.
 
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