Large Scale Central

Aristo Dash-9 on battery power Voltage Requirement

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

Almost everything that I’ve read about using batteries in the Dash-9 suggest that a 18.6 or greater battery be used.

Now, the CVP Web Site states outright that a battery of no greater than 14.8 volts be used because, “Higher voltage causes much more interference to be generated by locomotive motors which can impair distant radio operation.” (emphasis mine)

Now, it is widely known that I am electrically challenged. One of my shipboard Commanding Officers was not certain that he was willing to trust me with a light switch. So… what gives?

I don’t plan to try to control my locomotive from more than 50 feet away, at the most. Probably, the distance will be more like <10 feet.

Questions:

  1. Does the Dash-9 (and other Aristo large locomotives) really require the high voltage battery if it is not going to be run as a “Lionel?” On my RR, 35-45 SMPH approaches the limits of “safety” for this Branch Railroad.

  2. Is the motor interference from a >14.8 volt battery enough to really FUBAR everything as CVP states?

  3. Is a 14.8 Volt battery enough to operate the Aristo large locomotive?

  4. What distance is CVP talking about when they talk about motor interference?

The study of medicine is so much easier… fewer variables. :lol: :smiley: :stuck_out_tongue:

#2

  1. I believe they do.

  2. I assume you actually meant 18.6 volts. If so high voltage is certainly not a problem per se with 2.4 Ghz. From my experience 2.4 Ghz is impervious to motor “noise” and atmospheric interference.

  3. No.

  4. I don’t know, but I suspect it is not that great otherwise they would not raise the subject.

#3

#2. Well… 18.6 is greater than (>) 14.8, so we are in agreement.

#4

  1. If the dash-9 uses the same motor blocks as Aristo’s Class 66, (which I believe is the case, but don’t quote me) then 14.8 volts should be good for around a scale 35 - 45 mph. Top speed with the Class 66 at 23 volts was in the 70 mph range.

  2. I’m not sure what Airwire is going on about with that statement on their battery packs. The literature that comes with their G2 and other boards states nothing about there being an optimum voltage. The board’s designed for voltages up to 28 volts, and where they talk about building battery packs, they have ranges from 14 - 20 volts. They also recommend a 24-volt power supply for those running Airwire off of track power. If there’s an issue with range, they’re certainly not talking about it with respect to their receivers, just their batteries.

  3. Yes, at the speeds you’re stating. At “mainline” speeds, no.

  4. Haven’t a clue. I’ve never noticed any range issues with Airwire-powered stuff at higher voltages, but I’ve not looked for it, either. I typically stand within 40’ of the trains.

Later,

K

#5

I run my E-8 (same motor blocks as Dash) with AW-G2 and 14.4 volts or 18.6.
No prollem.

#6

I’ve installed 14.8v LiIon batteries in a few dash-9’s and SD45’s. They aren’t ‘rocket ships’ or ‘lionel’ but if i remember right they run about a scale 50mph which was far faster than the operator wanted them to go. The Dash-9 with a 14.8v 5000Mah battery + sound and lighting effects was getting well over 4 hours of continuous run time. For operations it would run all day.

I have also put an 18v battery in a dash-9. It was faster, and had no ill effect on the airwire system.

Terry

#7

You folks are all looking at this as a black and white issue. It is not. When dealing with radio Frequency transmission and reception, there are a great many variables. So it becomes a black art - sort of.
I have converted Dash 9s with both 14.8 lithium, and 18.5 lithium. 14.8 will work-in general, but 18.5 is likely better. If 50 mph is fine, and you do not have big grades or really long trains, 14.8 will get it done. however, most of these big locos are better off with 18.5, though there really isn’t much difference in max top speed, which you will never use anyway.
As far as the range with higher voltage, CVP are simply making a disclaimer. Higher voltage makes more RF noise, you can see it on a scope. Will this noise be more than what naturally occurs in your environment from other sources?, who knows. Does your Dash 9 have noisy or clean motors( there is a large variation in these Chinese motors)? Will this affect your range?- not likely but it may. Will it make the system unusable?- in a word no.
And finally, just because one user has had a problem, or has not had a problem, does not mean your mileage will be the same. Deal with someone that knows, and that will solve your problem if one arises.