hello all ive got a question i want to make a locomotive operate kind of like a radio control car has any one done this or have ideas???
As I operate live steam, all of my electrically powered locomotives are converted to battery power with radio control. This requires removing the track pickups and in some cases sorting out the wiring. In others like the Bachmann Spectrum Consolidation it was as simple as unplugging the pickup feeds and plugging in an alternative supply. What you will need is a speed controller of some sort and I have used two, one from
http://www.brianjones.free-online.co.uk/
and the other from
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/SyRen10.htm
In both cases they can be plugged into a radio control receiver.
The other big challenge is finding space for batteries and the electronics in smaller locomotives. The smallest I have done is the LGB Stainz. In contrast, the Consolidation was easy having a large tender in which to hide everything.
I hope this helps
Regards
David
RC is very common in large scale trains. The Aristo Train Engineer and systems by RCS and others have been around for more than a decade. Its more expensive than plain track power with a complete system starting around $200. Care to me more specific in your desires?
-Brian
I like RCS, call Dave and he will set you up with what you need.
Toad
I know i asked about a 7.2 volt battery and what id like to do is use something like radio control from rc cars such as from tower hobbies if you see where im going with the idea.
Hi RRhh!
I began with a very similar set-up! One thing to be wary of is the herky-jerky motion associated with an RC Car ESC (Electronic Speed Control)…it’s what takes the received signal and tells the motor or drive what to do-RC Car ECS can damage the internals of LS Trains. The RCS company from AU manufactures a “Glitch Free” Large Scale Train ECS (no herky-jerky starts/stops) and sells through a small dealer network here in the States. I do all of my business with Dave Goodson from WA. The “Evolution” ESC operates between a RC Car/Boat/Truck 2 Stick Transmitter and the Trains motor. It offers smooth stop and go, and gives you an excellent range of control!
The Evo 3B would more than likey be my choice, it is rated at 3 amps and is adaquate for most LS Train installs. It sells for around $100 USD. There is a 2 amp version avail, for less than $80. If you already have a 2 stick RC transmitter, you can use that in conjunction with the EVO and your supplied batteries. The EVO really needs at least 12 volts DC, I use 14.4 volts…simply because of the easy math 7.2 x 2 =14.4…I spent less than $125 to start-up (batteries, EVO, RC Transmitter
OH??? I thought he was wanting to see them race around the track and see who wins???