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Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2022 6:39 pm
by Peter Butler
Interesting comment Phil. I must admit, having tried AAA's elsewhere and being dissatisfied with them I was reluctant to go in that direction. However, since reading your post at about 2.30 this afternoon I have had my Simplex running on 8 off, 950 mAh, rechargeable AAA's on a rolling road, and it is going like a train (sorry!) still at 18.30. I'll see how far it goes (time-wise) and decide later. Certainly there are advantages in going smaller.
I don't need any of my stock to do marathons as I very rarely use them. Once satisfied they work they end up put away in a box and brought out for exhibition use only.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:31 pm
by Peter Butler
Well, 8.30 pm and still going, I think I am convinced.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 1:04 am
by GTB
Peter Butler wrote: Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:31 pm
Well, 8.30 pm and still going, I think I am convinced.
Modern miniature motor designs are very efficient and Slaters may well use coreless motors. The little railmotors I've built in recent years use a 6V N20 type motor and gearbox and will run for 3 hours or more on AAA size rechargeable batteries. Depending on the wheel size and max. design speed, all the models are fitted with either three or four AAA cells. Even the kids don't manage to run them flat when they visit. I usually lose interest after half an hour and can't remember the last time I ran a model long enough to run the batteries flat.
A 12v version of the N20 motor would draw half the current for the same output power and thus run for twice as long, but the downside of the higher voltage motor is that it requires twice as many cells in the battery. All engineering design is a compromise.........
If you are like me and don't run models that often, then seriously consider using Eneloop batteries. Unlike other NiMH cells, these will hold a charge for years. Most modellers complain about the extra initial cost, but I think it is worth it, as I rapidly got tired of keeping batteries charged when I don't run trains that often. Then having to replace dead ones when I forgot, let them run flat and left them that way for too long. The cost works out much the same over time. Generic NIMH cells were lasting only a few years, but I haven't replaced an Eneloops cell since I started using them six or more years ago.
The sun made a rare appearance this morning and I decided to run a test train to make sure the track was clear after a pruning session the other day. I deliberately chose Railmotor No. 1 which last ran three and a half years ago and hasn't been recharged since. I let it orbit the track for 45 mins. before I got bored and brought it back in to put it on the charger.
The speed of the railmotor stayed at a constant 17 scale miles per hour (smph) for the duration of the run and it travelled about two thirds of a real mile (3000+ft) in that time. The speed didn't drop at any time, so there was still a charge left in the battery after the run.
Regards,
Graeme
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2022 10:52 am
by FWLR
GTB wrote: Mon Oct 17, 2022 1:04 am
Peter Butler wrote: Sun Oct 16, 2022 8:31 pm
Well, 8.30 pm and still going, I think I am convinced.
Modern miniature motor designs are very efficient and Slaters may well use coreless motors. The little railmotors I've built in recent years use a 6V N20 type motor and gearbox and will run for 3 hours or more on AAA size rechargeable batteries. Depending on the wheel size and max. design speed, all the models are fitted with either three or four AAA cells. Even the kids don't manage to run them flat when they visit. I usually lose interest after half an hour and can't remember the last time I ran a model long enough to run the batteries flat.
A 12v version of the N20 motor would draw half the current for the same output power and thus run for twice as long, but the downside of the higher voltage motor is that it requires twice as many cells in the battery. All engineering design is a compromise.........
If you are like me and don't run models that often, then seriously consider using Eneloop batteries. Unlike other NiMH cells, these will hold a charge for years. Most modellers complain about the extra initial cost, but I think it is worth it, as I rapidly got tired of keeping batteries charged when I don't run trains that often. Then having to replace dead ones when I forgot, let them run flat and left them that way for too long. The cost works out much the same over time. Generic NIMH cells were lasting only a few years, but I haven't replaced an Eneloops cell since I started using them six or more years ago.
The sun made a rare appearance this morning and I decided to run a test train to make sure the track was clear after a pruning session the other day. I deliberately chose Railmotor No. 1 which last ran three and a half years ago and hasn't been recharged since. I let it orbit the track for 45 mins. before I got bored and brought it back in to put it on the charger.
The speed of the railmotor stayed at a constant 17 scale miles per hour (smph) for the duration of the run and it travelled about two thirds of a real mile (3000+ft) in that time. The speed didn't drop at any time, so there was still a charge left in the battery after the run.
Regards,
Graeme
Very interesting and useful information.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 12:38 pm
by Peter Butler
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 1:51 pm
by philipy
looks good, Peter. I do like the discolouration around the panels, very realistic.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2022 3:02 pm
by Andrew
Looking fine and dandy!
Sorry, someone had to... And it does look very good!
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2022 8:16 am
by FWLR
Nice that Peter. Looks like the pony has had enough...
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2022 10:47 pm
by Peter Butler
As discussed elsewhere on the Forum, I have no intention of joining the EV market. I do, however, acknowledge the use of electric traction in specific industries, for example, milk floats, waste collection vehicles and mine locomotives. My latest loco build falls into that category, simply because I thought it the best way to solve a dilemma.
The Slater's 'Simplex', shown in previous posts, is designed to be track powered with no space whatsoever for batteries. I initially thought about attaching a small waste wagon, but that proved to be too small to carry the ten AAA batteries (12v) plus the receiver, switch and charge socket with all the spaghetti involved too! It would always be connected whichever way the loco was working, so would look out of place.
My solution was to have another loco to double-head with it, thereby looking good whichever way it/they faced. What better to carry all those batteries than a battery powered loco?....
Meet... Sparky!
.
- IMG_9138.JPG (126.8 KiB) Viewed 8072 times
- IMG_9139.JPG (119.39 KiB) Viewed 8072 times
The battery loco is not self propelled, just the power supply to the Simplex, but makes much more sense as a working pair. With Dave Clavey's driver figures, which have poseable heads, they can each look where they are going to complete the picture.
- IMG_9142.JPG (136.23 KiB) Viewed 8072 times
- IMG_9143.JPG (141.45 KiB) Viewed 8072 times
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:16 am
by philipy
What a novel and elegant solution Peter. Very well done.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:11 am
by FWLR
Brilliant again Peter. You do have a way with solving problems and still look fantastic at the end.
Are you keeping the colour or giving it a paint job only you can
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2022 8:36 am
by ge_rik
A neat and very apt solution.
Rik
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2022 11:37 pm
by Peter Butler
FWLR wrote: Wed Nov 02, 2022 7:11 am
Are you keeping the colour or giving it a paint job only you can
Not quite sure I understand the question Rod.... The loco model didn't just arrive that way; when I built it I painted it white, just as they are usually shown. I guess it was to enable them to be seen in underground locations where dark colours might not have been appropriate? My railway represents a preservation line, so, as an industrial loco, it is preserved as it would have been when in use. I hope that answers your question.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2022 8:21 am
by FWLR
I meant 'Sparky' Peter. But I do see your point on the colour.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:56 am
by Andrew
I like that Peter!
I know this one's not powered, but wouldn't it look great hauling a rake of tubs round a "micro-layout" set in a coal mine?
I'm getting into this now, but you could build some of those metal bodied "man rider" carriages to go with it...
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2022 3:04 pm
by Peter Butler
Andrew wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:56 am
I know this one's not powered, but wouldn't it look great hauling a rake of tubs round a "micro-layout" set in a coal mine?
Andrew.... what are you trying to do to me? The last thing I need is encouragement to build another layout!
But.... at our last model group meeting we discussed the possibility of constructing a small layout to take to shows, so the first seed has already been sown.
We are not a model railway group, and there are only a small number (about 3) of 16mm modellers, but enough to get something moving. Certainly a micro-layout would be practical as I could get it in my car..... aaaargh!!!! I'm falling for it already.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2022 12:22 pm
by Andrew
Peter Butler wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 3:04 pm
Andrew wrote: Fri Nov 04, 2022 10:56 am
I know this one's not powered, but wouldn't it look great hauling a rake of tubs round a "micro-layout" set in a coal mine?
Andrew.... what are you trying to do to me? The last thing I need is encouragement to build another layout!
But.... at our last model group meeting we discussed the possibility of constructing a small layout to take to shows, so the first seed has already been sown.
We are not a model railway group, and there are only a small number (about 3) of 16mm modellers, but enough to get something moving. Certainly a micro-layout would be practical as I could get it in my car..... aaaargh!!!! I'm falling for it already.
Oh no, sorry Peter!
I think my brain is hardwired to come up with layout designs as a result of practically learning to read on Railway Modeller... Personally, I'm thinking your little battery loco, plus a couple of others, would look great circling a kind of double-decker layout, with dimly lit tunnels below ground, and winding gear and general industrial detritus above.
Actually, I am considering a micro layout of my own, but in 009. My wife has a large Ikea "Kallax" set of shelves for her pottery stuff, which is split into 25 cubes. Ikea also sell an insert with a glass door - I'm thinking that, if she'll let me borrow a cube, I could build a tiny cube-shaped layout, with one of Bachmann's new Quarry Hunslets pulling a short rake of slate wagons through dramatic Welsh scenery, all neatly enclosed in a little glass-fronted box...
Enjoy the rest of your weekends all!
Andrew
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 9:51 pm
by gregh
Brilliant modelling as usual Peter.
Very smart to think of a permanently coupled pair.
(I can just see them running around my new indoor layout)
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 10:00 pm
by Peter Butler
gregh wrote: Mon Nov 07, 2022 9:51 pm
Brilliant modelling as usual Peter.
Very smart to think of a permanently coupled pair.
(I can just see them running around my new indoor layout)
Thanks Greg, a different approach to the normal, I think, and plenty of scope to make alternative small locomotives which can be paired with 'Sparky'.
A tiny two-pin plug is all that connects the two, so easily swapped over.
Re: Time to build a railway...but where?
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2022 10:06 pm
by gregh
Peter Butler wrote: Mon Nov 07, 2022 10:00 pm
Thanks Greg, a different approach to the normal, I think, and plenty of scope to make alternative small locomotives which can be paired with 'Sparky'.
A tiny two-pin plug is all that connects the two, so easily swapped over.
An even smarter idea.
