Large Scale Central

Need suggestion on how to remove glued in batteries

Problem Solving
#1

I’ve got a little problem that I hope someone can help me with.

I acquired a Connie that has been converted to batteries. The person who did the conversion glued 2 of 3 Aristo Gell Cell to the top of the tender. The third is in a battery car.

What I want to do it move the two that are in the tender to the battery car, but I cannot get the glue to release. This person also glued the onboard TE into the tender top as well.

I don’t know what kind of glue he used but when I push or pry on the batteries they don’t budge.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these batteries (and the TE) out of the top of the tender?

Herb

#2

Without knowing the glue type it will be trial and error. Acetone might work, but could also soften the plastic of the tender.

#3

Thanks Jon, I was wondering about using Acetone, but I’d need a long thin needle to reach down between the side of the tender and the battery to the top of the tender. But I was worried if it might harm the battery as well.

Jim C. suggested I cool down the tender by placing it in the fridge for a while. He said that might make the glue brittle and I might be able to snap the joint.

Does anyone know if the coal load comes off the top of a Connie’s tender? If it does, can you give me a hint on how to remove it?

Herb

#4

Yes, the load definitely comes off. I’ve replaced mine with a flat piece of styrene and a pile of real coal. I’ll run downstairs now, look at the load and report back in a few minutes.

#5

The load is attached with two short machine screws from underneath along the center line of the tender. They screw into the cast metal load. I don’t remember what the mount on the tender looks like. If the batteries are glued to the load you probably cant get to the screws.

#6

IF the glue is CA, there is a dissolving agent you can buy that likely would release the glue.
Tower Hobby has it in their on-line offering.
Wendell

#7

Epoxy breaks loose with heat.

CA becomes brittle and shatters

Elmer’s dissolves with water.

I like the cold idea, I’d try putting it in the freezer.

#8

When I glued mine in place, I used silicone adhesive. I just used a big pry bar to get them out.

I take it you can’t see any trace of the glue?

#9

Nope, the batteries are on their side and there is less than a 1/4" space between the batteries and the side of the tender and only enough space between the batteries to clear the tabs.

#10

Try a hair dryer on it. (Or heat gun) Don’t get it too hot.

#11

Thanks everyone, I’ll give some of these ideas a try and let you know the outcome of my dilema.

Herb

#12

I got the battery in the battery car out and took it and the tender to the WAGRS meeting on Saturday. The consences of everyone in attendance was that the battery in the battery car was glued in with Gorilla glue or Liquid nails. So everyone thought that only brute force would be the way to get other two out of the tender.

Some suggested using a wide wood chisel and hammer to get underneath the batteries to hopefully pop them free. Another couple of people suggested a small wonder bar and hammer because I could get more angle.

I decided to give the chisel and hammer a go on the first battery. I got the chisel under the battery and out popped the battery with a little twist of the chisel. Lucky me, it was silicone glue. Things were looking up.

Then on to the second battery but the battery was in a different position and I couldn’t get the chisel to go under the battery. So out comes the wonder bar. I was able to get the wonder bar under the second battery and off comes the battery. Silicone chaulk just alot or more of it.

Now I’m working on putting putting the other two batteries into the battery car, if I can find some double-sided foam tape. Then it’s rewiring the 5490, 5495 and the Sierra sound board.

Does any one have the pin configuration of the Sierra Soundtraxx board, I can’t seem to find mine (the wife must of put them up)

Thanks for all the help.

Herb

#13

This what your looking for?

(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh58/rgseng/Other%20stuff/Sierra01.jpg)

#14

Thanks Ken that should do the trick!