Whilst looking thru the myriad of web sites hawking gel cells----
What would be the correct Amp to choose from say, a 12 volt cell?
For RC purpose, that is.
Just a general battery, one to use on 0-4-0’s up to 2-6-6-2’s.
I don’t want a bunch of different ones for each locomotive usage–unless I have to.
Thanks,
jb
John, if I am reading behind the lines, you want to use a standard battery, and then parallel two or more for large locos?
Obviously you would not use the same battery for an 0-4-0 and a mallet.
Let me try to help… first, you will need something other than a gel cell for an 0-4-0… leave small locos out of your equation.
I’d try about a 2 amp hour gel cell, but for smaller locos, you will need to go to nicads or li-ion.
I really think you will have a hard time setting a “standard battery”…
Get a number of good chargers, same model, like the Maha II Plus, that can charge almost anything. Then start making the batteries fit. Ask some people what fits in what, and what they used.
Maybe Tony will come on this thread, he has a lot of experience with different locos, and of course TOC.
In summary, I’d standardize your charging systems, and forget trying to standardize batteries across widely differing locos.
Regards, Greg
Hi Greg.
Unfortunately I won’t be able to help John.
He already has my opinions as to what he should be using.
That’s unfortunate. I guess I’ve given the best I can. You and I see “eye to eye” on batteries so often that I’ve probably done all I can.
What did you think of my advice? I just think there’s too much variation in loco sizes. Also, weight in small locos worries me a bit, as often they do not have heavy-duty bearings that take kindly to more weight.
Regards, Greg
Greg,
Thanks for the input.
Perhaps I didn’t add enough information.
<<John, if I am reading behind the lines, you want to use a standard battery, and then parallel two or more for large locos?>>
Yes, in a trailing car for the 0-4-0, 2-4-2, etc. (For the larger locos, the trailing car is the tender.)
<<Obviously you would not use the same battery for an 0-4-0 and a mallet.>>
Yes, as stated above.
<<I’d try about a 2 amp hour gel cell, but for smaller locos, you will need to go to nicads or li-ion.>>
To be using a standard, 2 amps is prolly a bit small.
<<Get a number of good chargers, same model, like the Maha II Plus, that can charge almost anything. Then start making the batteries fit.>>
Very good advice! I will get three or four proper chargers for the batteries. I plan on buying 10 or more batteries to make up a few different battery cars and the two tenders.
Thanks for the input!
Li-ons, Ni-cads, etc will not be used.
The system chosen after field testing is Airwire.
The batteries will be gel-cell and the Amps will be 5.
Yes, two 12’s will be linked for power. One will be for Phnx sound.
All my questions were answered on my few battery/RC posts on this forum.
But they were all based on different opinions and practice.
Each adviser had his own opinion.
I spoke off-forum with a few users which helped me immensely in the decision.
And also, if I don’t like my decision, there’s always the trash can, and a start over with something else. That’s what makes life interesting.
Thanks to all for their input.
jb