I’m lost in the RC/Battery zone …

Lets start from the begging …

I was given a RCed engine with batteries… This was were I went wrong … I have no problems with track power.

The unit in question : Hitec Ranger II 3channel 75Mhz transmitter and receivers to control speed and sound, some old Batteries … Fading Fading

When I first got the unit it worked great for a while … until Batteries ran down … jumped into reverse and peddle to the metal … crash boom bang !!

Easy fix … new battery … A 18V 4/3A3800MahnNimh

Now the engine comes on, idles for a while , sound comes up … then it’s off to the races … No response from transmitter.( new Batteries in the transmitter)

OK this might be that the battery has lost some juice … I put the engine on it’s side and let her run down … Hmmmmm 3rhs …

Recharged the battery … same …

What am I doing wrong?

Is the battery wired wrong ( wrong polarity )?

This should be interesting to say the least!

Hi Sean, it is possible the Hi Tec receiver is getting to much voltage. What voltage were the previous batteries? The instruction manual for the Hi Tec shows a 8.4v battery when using an electronic speed control. In general r/c cars systems used in our trains have limited results. Call me for another low cost idea. 603-321-1347.

Don

Don

Thanks for replying.

Could I use this battery that I already have: 9.6Volt 1600mAh NI-MH

I know you said 8.4volts

Thanks again Don

Sean,

What is the R/C gear and what is the ESC?

Sean,

Most brushed motor ESC’s (electronic speed controls) are rated for 12V or less, yet there are some that can work with 18V or so… We need to determine what type-brand-model ESC you have in play. Most ESC’s have what is known as BEC (battery eliminator circuitry) this allows you to use higher voltage batteries than the RC system receiver is capable of working with. Essentially the ESC acts as voltage regulator feeding the receiver/servo power buss approximately 6.0VDC. Kinda sounds like you may have a defective ESC.

You could also be experiencing some form of radio interference, i.e., RFI and or EMI. These anomalies are generally easily addressed and tamable (RC car guys have been dealing with same for many years). Generally speaking the RC industry has left brushed motors and ESC’s behind in favor of the more reliable/efficient 3-phase brushless motors.

There is NO reason an RC car/plane/boat system will not work without issue in our trains. After all there is simply very little difference when doing a head to head comparison of said attributes.

FWIW: New NiMh batteries need to be form charged, in other words a charge/discharge regimen of at least three cycles is required to bring the cells to life and provide rated capacity/voltage under load.

Michael

This is the unit in question: Hitec’s Ranger II 75MHz transmitter

There is an Instant R/C throttle MBS unit also.

The question is can I use this Battery : 9.6Volt 1600mAh NI-MH … to run this combination?

Sean

Have you tried to contact Tam Valley Depot or one of there dealers it looks like one of theirs also real old

have fun

Hi Sean, wow that is a first generation unit. The instant RC was made around 1990’s. Reeds Train shop in San Diego sold these. Try the 9.6v battery. If it still goes full speed then it is history. When they go there is no fix. It is a sealed unit. I have some used RCS units you can try.

Don

Thanks

I will try the 9volt battery and give an update when I can.

It works on the bench … will try it on the layout.

Ok We have a working setup.

The 9.6 volt battery works with this setup.

I ran it thru it’s paces out on the layout light … then we pushed the leaf blower around (It pushes back) Granted it dosn’t go as fast as a track powered unit but it’s still cool!

Thanks for all your help.

Welcome to the Dark Side. It’s a slippery slope once you take that first step (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif)

I’m having trouble finding the cookies! (http://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-wink.gif)

Sean, you know there aren’t any, don’t you?

What !!!

Next you’ll tell me that there is no Rooster!!!

No, there is a Rooster, although he is trying to fly under the radar by calling himself David Russell.

I once went where I didn’t belong, but the Shore Patrol found me before I could have any fun. (http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-innocent.gif)(http://largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-laughing.gif)

Spoil sports. At least they could have let you have a little fun, before they carried you back to the ship.