I just thought I'd share with you how I've gone about my latest conversion from track power to battery in case it's of interest.
I constructed a Hunslet-style loco a few years ago from a GRS kit on an LGB Toytrain 0-4-0 motor block. Since I went over fully to battery power, she has been languishing on a shelf. I was worried I might irreparably damage her resin castings when taking her apart to create space for the batteries and electronics. As it turned out, some gentle prising with a flat bladed screwdriver was all that was needed. However, I felt her paintwork needed rubbing down as it had suffered in the process:
After removing the lead 2kg of lead weights from the saddle tank, I found there was room for three 3.7v 3000mAh 18650 li-ion batteries and some lead. These batteries have solder tags.
As the batteries were 'unprotected', I installed a battery protection board, which monitors balance charging and protects against over discharge, short circuit and over-heating.
You've probably heard the horror stories about lithium batteries exploding and catching fire. There is some risk associated with using them, but provided they are electronically protected, charged carefully and not abused, I feel the benefits of using them outweigh the risks.
A Deltang Rx65b combined receiver/ESC was then wired in. Both the protection board and the rx fit into the lower half of the boiler.
The charge socket is a bit prominent just below the saddle tank, but there really was nowhere else to put it.
I've given her some test runs and she seems to perform well. She's urgently in need of a repaint - I'll post some more pics and maybe a video when she fully enters service.
It's great to have a Hunslet (ish) loco back on the line. Doesn't feel right running a ng light railway without one, somehow.
Rik