Abd look how big and inferior the batteries were then!
IIRC they use 9 volt batteries-the type used in transistor “pocket” radios back then.
I’m interested in trying this out too. I’m looking at installing it into a dummy E8 B-unit. plenty of space in there. The B will power both A-units. I was thinking of trying out the HobbyKing WiFi Receiver and two battery packs. As a backup I will put standard DCC decoders in the A-units that can be switch from WIFi to DCC when necessary.
I look forward to this experiment. Hoping for the best.
Chris
There is a small Lipo battery that some are using. One hybrid method I have seen is one that uses a battery that maintains enough for only about a two minute run but constantly charges of the track so that it acts as a capacitor, for a sound engine, this sounds ideal until the new batteries arrive.
If you’re going to power the track, you’d might as well go with DCC and the TCS Keep-Alive decoders. They are a capacitor-based system that will ride over dead spots. I was at the Springfield show this year, and the TCS guy picked up an engine that was running on the track, put it down on the table and it kept right on going. He had to stop it before it ran into something, so I don’t know how long it would have run.
Checked them out, kinda all over the place there.
First I agree…If one plans on powering the track they should keep using DC or DCC.
The beauty of R/C is you won’t need track power which means no more track cleaning.
IMHO the biggest obstacle will be modelers overcoming the idea of not having power in the track and the need to “refuel” their locomotives…
After following this post since the beginning,some of the Idea’s are great,But in my ‘‘Old Fashion’’ opinion,It would not be for me. I enjoy the Hobby for the interaction of it,including,construction,scenery,buildings and even what some consider dreaded wiring,that is only as hard as you make it…The R/C control with Batt power,is great for outdoor layouts and R/C cars and planes,God knows I’ve built a few over the years…Then you have switch machines,lighting and so forth,are they going to be Batt.operated also?? for me I’ll stick with the old method of running the trains and equipment,from AC current converted to DC,for I am paying for the electric anyway…
Just my thought and Opinion,
Cheers,
Frank
Frank,Such things will still be powered by electricity.Just the locomotives will be R/C.
You do bring up a interesting question though…
How about coach and caboose lighting?
BTW…While I have a R/C car and like to watch R/C car races I don’t think I’ll would be the first in line for R/C locomotives.
Larry,
I understand the lighting prospect,But instead of one system,now you have two,the part about a charging track,I don’t get either,run it in the charging track and charge the batt,would not the track and loco wheels have to be cleaned to be effective?? I’ll stay with the old way,70,is too old to think about it… Not that I don’t like new things,it’s just not for me…
Cheers,
Frank
Quote…
OTOH, there is a Science Fiction device called a ‘mass converter,’ which can (theoretically) convert ANYTHING to AC electricity at whatever voltage and frequency is desired. Empty the cat box droppings into it and it will run your house for a year, including charging the battery of your ‘run around town’ oversize golf cart. According to the information I have, it should hit the market early in the 22nd century…
End quote…
Mr Fusion?
Where we’re going, we don’t need rails! Did anyone ever make an HO scale DeLorean?
The track charging is just an extra for those who like the idea of pulling their steam engine up to a coaling tower and a real reason for it being there. It is not a neccesity but for those looking for a little more proto action.