Large Scale Central

FB - RC/battery loco

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

With all the discussion of battery cars recently, I thought I would post a detailed thread on the layout of my FB radio control battery loco. This technique would easily be addapted to almost any type car. Here are pictures of the battery car I built and ran at Marty Cozad’s Steamup last September.

The body started as a B&O shell I bought on Ebay [for too much]. It was repainted with Krylon and striped with automotive pinstriping. The Warbonet logo was done on lazer mailing label material. [I wish Aristo would sell replacement/kitbash decals too]

Care was taken to make the loco the right height to match protypical locos.

Aristo Trackside TE [27mhz] is used with 3300mah NIMH batteries [9.6v x 2 in series]. The coil wound antenna has range in excess of 70ft. Couplers are Aristo [although the A-units have Kadees], since the streamliners pulled use Aristo couplers.

The chasis is made from aluminum step plate [cut with my reciprocationg saw]. All machine screw holes were drilled and threaded #4s. The TE is mounted with nylon screws. A weight was placed under the antenna coils to insure good tracking.

A set of Bolsters, trucks, and undercarrage compartment from an Aristo Streamliner were ordered from Aristo and installed.

I am extremely pleased with this car. Thanks to Marty, Paul Dave, Jack, and others who helped me learn about making this and my other a trail power/RC cars/tenders. Note: this car can be seen in action in my thread in the: “Great Way to End 2006 - snowplowing” video. HAPPY NEW YEAR to Everyone. JimC.

#2

Thanks, Jim. That is a nice looking modification. I definitely remember it from September.

I like the first picture. It looks like you are standing on the bridge…:smiley:

#3

I’ve never tried one of those coil-wound antennas. On all mine I run the antenna wire down to one side of the truck and through the wheels so the track acts as an antenna. BTW, do you have sound installed in there too? Looks like the battery box under the unit holds a speaker.

#4

Warren and Ken,
Thanks for the kind words. I don’t have a sound board installed at this time. However, I am considering that added feature, creating sounds coming from both the A and B unit. What you are seeing is the red plastic inside of the box.

I have been pleased with the loop antenna method. It is used on all of my power cars. There is no trouble reaching end-to-end on my layout[70ft] or from my deck on the back of the house [60ft]. The loop system seems to work much better than stringing the antenna around the perimeter of a car. Someday I may try running a ground wire to an axle, as described in Marty Cozad’s thread about a “Simple” power car in the A***** Battery Forum. Also, switching to a tellescoping metal transmitter antenna from the old “rubber ducky” made a significant improvement in reliability.

Warren, It was great getting to meet you and the others at Marty’s, last September. I came away with far more knowledge than I brought. The Bandquet helped create a sence of “Community” for all of us there. It is much more meaningful to me when I read your posts, to think, “I know that guy and ate dinner with him.”

Happy New Year, All.

JimC.

#5

I use the coil antenna idea, wrapped around a paper towel core. I find that it works quite well.

#6

Jim, I get that same feeling too. I’m all ready for September right now…:smiley: