OK gang…I’m getting set to do a new install on a Three Truck Bachmann Shay using the BELTROL system, no sound at this point, mebbe in the future…I’m currently using 1000 mah AA Nicads ganged into 14.4 packs, whats everyone else using these days?
1,000 mah will not give a very long run. Especially for such a big loco.
Plus AA size cells cannot handle much more than a 1 amp load and survive. They will guive the current OK but at the cost of a much shorter battery life in terms of the number of recharges available.
14.4 volts is adequate and I would use at least Sub C size cells. The bigger the capaity in MAH the better. Twin stick Sub C racing car packs are readily available and low cost via discount hobby warehouses. All the cells will fit in the rear tender just fine.
This would be my choice: 14.8V, 4400 mah, Lithium-Ion.
http://www.all-battery.com/li-ion18650148v4400mahpcbpreotectedrechargeablebatterywithbareleads.aspx
(sorry, can’t remember the code to make a link active). Edit: And apparently, I didn’t need any code!
Eric; I have 4500 mh Ni MH batteries in my 3 Truck Shay and I get about 3.5 to 4 hours of running with a Sierra sound card on board. I get mine from NorhtWest Remote Control who is advertised on the site.
Paul
Or if you like tamaya plugs easy peasey as I do go here. Work great in a battery boxcar if you don’t have the room in an engine. The Regal
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140353378774&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT Not bad price either!! for two!!
That is a pretty good price on 7.2 NiMh packs. I usually shop BatterySpace.com and they are $29.50 + shipping each for the exact same pack [ http://tinyurl.com/yk2cm2t ]
I use Nicad and Nimh
Sub C sizes
2100 to 3800 Mah in everything.
12 volt (10 cell) to 14.4 (12 cell) volt configuration.
I’m happy.
Yeah I tried NiMH a few years ago with less than spectacular results…
http://www.batteryspace.com/nimhbatterypackcombotwo72v4200mahnimhbatterypacksmartfastcharger48-108v.aspx
I too like Batteryspace.com, that looks like a decent combo to give a try…
I am totally with Del on this! Go with the Lithium-Ion batteries from All-Battery.com. You will love the small size and the long run time. Later when you add sound you will still have room for the sound module rather than have the total space filled with Nicads or NMIH batts. I have finally changed over all 9 of my steam locos to Li-Ion. I was using NMIH and they worked fine but instead of two battery packs I now need only one smaller one. I have never regretted it. As with all batteries follow all safety rules.
Not sure you can do this with the 3 truck shay, but if you can make the top of the tender removable, it will be easy to switch out batteries. I do this with all my steam locos, that way I can change batteries very easily and put the discharged one on an external charger without tying up my locomotive during recharging.
Good luck with your install!
Been quite happy with my NiMH “IED” batteries. Got them because they were on a spectacular special. The special is over now. Not sure what I’d use these days, but there are lots of nice choices.
Rick Isard from “Cordelss Renovations” was at Marty’s. I was quite impressed with his interest in learning about the hobby and purchased a LI-Ion battery set from him. I also had a set from Batteryspace.com that was not acting right, probably my problem. I sent it to him and within a week had it back, evaluated, repaired and working. So far, I’m happy.
http://www.cordlessrenovations.com/
Just another source, your results may vary.
One of Bruce’s and I’s conversations while I was there were Li-on battery packs. I was impressed with their smaller size and larger Mah ratings. I have a smaller loco I want to get Battery/RC’ed and had a heck of a time trying to fit batteries in the thing. Looks like these will work.
I have a Berlyn Casey Jones railbus here to convert to battery R/C plus sound.
There is very little space to put anything so I have ordered a 850 mah 4 x AA size cell flat pack to save space.
My battery supplier has a new LVC pcb to install that is micro sized and will hopefully work better than the last pack they built for me. That had recharging issues because the LVC did not completely cut off the voltage. Apparently to allow enough voltage to land a plane after the motor cut out.
I should have the pack tomorrow. I will get on with the installover the weekend and report what the results are.
Second Ric’s comments on the Cordless Renovations products, They are well done and use the Tenergy Brand batteries sold at all-battery.com in their Lithium-Ion line of products(not sure about the NIMH line) Rick was at the Kansas City show and we talked quite awhile about his developing product line. He is extremely knowledgable and will be very helpful both before and after the sale!
Rick Isard will also bring his Cordless Rennovations product line to the 8 th Annual Gateway Garden Railroad Club Winter Meet in Carlyle on February, 12 - 14, 2010. Bill you can start making up your list of questions now, he’ll be with us all weekend. 
Has the fire and explosion issue associated with Lithium Ion batteries a few years back been addressed to the point that it’s no longer an issue ?
Gary, Li-ion battery products are pretty mainstream. Cell phones, Lap top computers, ipods, blackberries and such all use them now. When buying them for model railroad use, be sure then ones you buy have built in PCB protection circuits. Most product descriptions will indicate if the protection circuits are in the product. If not ask before you buy. Be sure to use the correct charger with your batteries. Like with any battery system, be sure to follow the instructions, and you should have no problems. I and many others have been using them for years without problems. Early products without the protection circuits were the source of the explosion fears, overheating, and other worries.
Anybody reading these posts are certainly invited to the Gateway Garden Railroad Club, Carlyle meet. There are some great vendors in attendance every year with lots of good fellowship and fun. We will have lots of good how to sessions. Last year there were demonstrations on how to battery power the Bachamnn Annie, how to build your own battery packs, comparisons of various R/C systems, plant information, and other good stuff. Be sure to come for lots of fun!!
Ooooooooh the Cordless Revovations stuff is quite intriguing…I need a Universal charger and one machine that will do both types of batts is definately a plus!
Ric & William…I thank you both for the nice comments. Bart, I hope you like your new CR-1 and 14.8V Lithium-Ion battery-pack, give me a call if you have any questions with the operation of the charger. And, yes…we do use the Tenergy 18650 Lithium-Ion & Polymer cells and are in the process of testing the new LG 18650 2600mah cells and will offer those cell in the future. Within the next two weeks we will be offering a new line of Sub C 4600mah Nimh cells, and our new CR-2 digital smart charger. These products will be on display at Trainfest in Milwaukee.
Thanks again guys,
Rick Isard
Cordless Renovations
www.cordlessrenovations.com