portable powerpack

Garden Railroading
1

Hi all…

Has anyone put together a “powerpack on wheels” for easy transport/hookup to a backyad layout? I am thinking along the lines of a modified handruck, with a wooden structure that can house the powerpack, remote base, and connections for my layout; when I am done, I disconnect, and wheel it back into the garage…

Any design hints/help would be appreciated.

Marty

2

Marty,

Have a look at some of the toolboxes on two wheels. They are plastic, but that might be an advantage for hauling around, fitting connectors and all that other stuff.
With some more modifications you could even add a retractable extension cord to power the stuff.

3

Marty;

Have not done it yet, but, I do have one in the plans. Since my GRR is still under “basic” construction, I’ve not got everything properly wired yet. What I had planned to do was as follows:

  1. I have the “frame” of a old BBQ grill on wheels.
  2. Across the “deck” where the grill used to be installed, I plan on bolting on a piece of plywood, and mounting power supply, switching controls, lighting controls, etc.
  3. I know this concept works because I have done it in the past. When I was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, we had a small HO/N scale club, each modularized and we built the same style of “control panels” then.
  4. For connections for the wiring we used Centronics Parallel connectors from Radio Shack. This allows 36 wires per bundle/connector. If more than one connector is needed then spray paint each bundle/connector a different color.
  5. Under the “control Panel shelf” will be a couple of other shelves/drawer combinations, and of course a secure place to hold my glass of “Ice Tea”.

Note: The “control panel” will be at a good height for sitting at in a chair. The control panel will have siding on three sides. On the “back wall” (facing me as I sit) will be a diagram of the layout with switches coded to the panel below. If I get up any real energy there will also be lights showing the current direction of each turnout.

Sorry, but do not have any pictures, just the concept.

4

Tom,

You may have to beef-up the connectors if you route track power through them!

5

Quite a few people ahev doen this and havre done it quite successfully.

I personally have no interest in this type of thing I have my own layout here at home and have no interest in taking it elsehwere.

This doesnt mean others may not want to do so. A well known person here in Australia does it for charity and to help the sick and helpless.

Rgds Ian

6

Use sealed gel cell batteries for the power, can be recharged with car charger (need to switch 2 12v from series to parallel to charge), definitely use something more beefy than a centronics printer connector, Radio Shack stocks molex connectors.

Have fun!

Regards, Greg

7

I am ***ed if I can see why you wouod want to this why not run a long extension lead?

Before I retired I marketed SLA (sealed Lead acid) batteries (not necessarily gel cells)
and i cannot reccomnd that you get into this unless you have too.

Rgds Ian