R/C Loco batteries

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invicta280
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R/C Loco batteries

Post by invicta280 » Thu Oct 09, 2025 7:47 pm

Hi folks
I've been away from garden railways a bit due to pressure of work and family commitments.
Meanwhile my Swift Sixteen Owain (on an Edrig chassis) has been languishing on a shelf and the on board batteries for the R/C have gone flat.
I want to replace them but what with? Are these the same as AA batteries?
I don't know the make of R/C but the contoller is a planet T5 2.4 GHz.
Could anyone suggest where I can get replacement batteries?
Many thanks.

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ge_rik
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Re: R/C Loco batteries

Post by ge_rik » Thu Oct 09, 2025 8:50 pm

They could be old NiCads. I'd be inclined to replace them with Low Self Discharge (LSD or Eneloop) NiMh cells. If you're not keen on making up your own battery packs you can't go far wrong with getting a pack from Strikalite.

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Peter Butler
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Re: R/C Loco batteries

Post by Peter Butler » Thu Oct 09, 2025 11:00 pm

For the first few years of fitting R/C to my locos I used Fast Self Discharge batteries, then during Covid 19 I used them even less than before resulting in having to replace many battery packs.
I now use the ones which Rik has mentioned... Low Self Discharging rechargeable batteries. They can be purchased in AA and AAA sizes, with or without tags (so you can solder your own pack) and they only lose a tiny amount of power even after standing for many months without use.
Component Shop supply them, amongst others.
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invicta280
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Re: R/C Loco batteries

Post by invicta280 » Fri Oct 10, 2025 8:59 am

Many thanks Rik and Peter.
That has saved me a lot of time consuming phone calls and headache.
I can hopefully get a bit of late Autumn / early winter steaming in. Cheers chaps.

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Palmerston
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Re: R/C Loco batteries

Post by Palmerston » Fri Oct 10, 2025 10:48 am

Low self discharging batteries are often labeled as ENELOOP.
Live steam on 45 & 184mm, battery 45mm only.

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