Aristo's new Li-Ion batteries. Do I dare put them in the loco?

Garden Railroading
1

Just purchased the Crest On board train engineer for my RS-# (plug and play version). Also purchased the new Li-ion battery pack, hoping I can install same in the loco rather than in a trailing car.
I figure if the RS-3 is a road switcher, I don’t always want it hooked to the same car-- I’d like it to be able to actually switch-- do run-arounds etc. all by its lonesome. Then again, I don’t want to disassemble the engine everytime the battery needs charging.
Any experience / advice to share?

Thanks

Hugh

2

Hello Hugh.
Of course you can put the Li-Ion battery on board.
There are a number of LS’ers using battery R/C that have done just that. Perhaps some of them have charged the battery pack on board.
You will need to rig up a circuit that allows you to plug in the correct charger whilst the battery is in the loco. This might be difficult to do as I understand the Li-Ion battery pack requires three wires.

If I am correct about requiring three wires I can suggest a very simple way of doing it using NiCd or NiMh batteries as they only require two wires to the battery.
You would also have the advantage of being able to plug in extra auxilliary batteries when the train is on the mainline to greatly extend run times.

Good luck.

3

I’m interested in the two wire method-- all options are open.

4

Hugh,
Here are two ideas for you mull over.

http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Drawings/BatteryWiring.jpg

A pdf on how I also do it.

http://www.rcs-rc.com/biku.pdf

Please feel free to contact me offline if you other questions.

5

Hugh,

I use Li-Ion batteries in all my large scale motive power at this point. I prefer to buy online from Batteryspace.com however, as I feel the Aristo battery to be way over priced. Make sure you pick up a charger designed to work with Li-Ion cells, and make sure you buy the packs equipped with the over/under charge circuit board or install these yourself during the installation.

Good luck!

Jeff