IP Engineering Albert

What is your latest project?
User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sat May 05, 2018 10:06 am

I've been at it again - this time an IP Engineering Albert.
S1600005.JPG
S1600005.JPG (152.64 KiB) Viewed 6705 times
.
I found the build to be a bit fiddlier than the HGLW build as some of the parts needed to be aligned by eye. However, probably a day's build to get her to this stage. She's powered by two 14500 (AA sized) li-ion batteries which just (only just!) squeeze in under the chassis. They are wired in parallel (to get twice the running time). Deltang receivers are happy to run off one 3.7v li-ion battery and include automated Low Voltage detection to cut off the supply when li-ion battery packs fall below a safe level. I've set her to 32mm gauge as she will shuttle back and forth on the copper mine feeder line (using the built-in shuttle feature on the Rx65).
IMG_7520.JPG
IMG_7520.JPG (157.31 KiB) Viewed 6705 times
.
She's controlled by a Deltang Rx65a receiver. The Rx65a has been superceded by the Rx65b, which is slightly larger and more powerful. However, I had this Rx65a left over from a previous conversion and so waste-not-want-not! The receiver is just visible above the motor in this shot.
IMG_7532.JPG
IMG_7532.JPG (115.42 KiB) Viewed 6705 times
.
I'm going to add Delrin sprockets and chain drive to improve her pulling power but she will happily pull three Binnie skips (providedI don't try going round any curves or up any hills).
S1600002.JPG
S1600002.JPG (174.14 KiB) Viewed 6705 times
.
I'll blog the build when I've done a paint-job on her. I focused a lot more on the wiring-up this time as I know that's an aspect which some people feel apprehensive about.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
daan
Fireman
Fireman
Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:25 am

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by daan » Sat May 05, 2018 12:35 pm

Nice little loco, it could do with a bit of weight I guess..
And it needs a scale fire extinguisher, you are a brave man putting "Trust Fire" batteries in a wooden locomotive.. :lol: :lol:
"En schöne Gruess" from an Alpine railway in Holland.

User avatar
tom_tom_go
Driver
Driver
Posts: 4824
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:08 am
Location: Kent, UK
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by tom_tom_go » Sat May 05, 2018 4:21 pm

I do feel I could switch to li-lion batteries as I have read enough about your work Rik to wire them correctly but it's the cost of buying a suitable charger that puts me off (the charger I currently use cost me under £20 and charges all my locos + trickle charge).

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sat May 05, 2018 4:37 pm

tom_tom_go wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 4:21 pm I do feel I could switch to li-lion batteries as I have read enough about your work Rik to wire them correctly but it's the cost of buying a suitable charger that puts me off (the charger I currently use cost me under £20 and charges all my locos + trickle charge).
Hi Tom
You can get a (cloned) iMax B6 charger for just over £20 - eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152999311666 - They charge just about anything which can be charged and you can set the charge rate from 0.1A to whatever you fancy - even includes a heat sensor input for the mad car fast charge crowd. You'll see some scare stories about cloned B6 chargers. I suppose it's the luck of the draw, but I've been using a B6 clone for over 5 years now and ...... so far, so good.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
philipy
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 5033
Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 3:00 pm
Location: South Northants

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by philipy » Sat May 05, 2018 4:43 pm

Tom, I agree with Rk, I've been using an imax b6 for several years with no probs. It is/was a bit of a 'mare to get to grips with the instructons but Rik did one of his mega-helpful blog guides which makes it all pretty plain sailing.
Philip

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sat May 05, 2018 4:51 pm

daan wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 12:35 pm Nice little loco, it could do with a bit of weight I guess..
And it needs a scale fire extinguisher, you are a brave man putting "Trust Fire" batteries in a wooden locomotive.. :lol: :lol:
Hi Daan
I did put a bit of lead in her, but the problem is the 2wd chasis. I know from past experience what a difference adding 4wd can make. Before adding 4wd, my Simplex could just manage 4 skips on the flat but that was her limit - and she certainly couldn't tow them up a gradient! As you can see, adding 4wd made a world of difference - no extra weight was added, just used the weight of the whitemetal body before and after adding the chain drive.


Rik
Last edited by ge_rik on Sat May 05, 2018 4:59 pm, edited 1 time in total.
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sat May 05, 2018 4:55 pm

philipy wrote: Sat May 05, 2018 4:43 pm Tom, I agree with Rk, I've been using an imax b6 for several years with no probs. It is/was a bit of a 'mare to get to grips with the instructons but Rik did one of his mega-helpful blog guides which makes it all pretty plain sailing.
Thanks Philip
Yes, the instruction manual assumes a fair bit of prior knowledge and is also written in Chinglish, which makes it even more indecipherable. I'm sure you'll have no problem figuring it out, though, Tom. It sort of makes sense once you get over the initial learning curve.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
Busted Bricks
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 750
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2011 9:16 pm
Location: Denmark
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by Busted Bricks » Sat May 05, 2018 7:04 pm

You don't really need a fancy charger if you are just going to be charging a couple of cells. The very cheap fixed rate balance chargers will do the job.

User avatar
daan
Fireman
Fireman
Posts: 266
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:25 am

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by daan » Sun May 06, 2018 8:25 am

May be a dumb remark: 3.7 volt Li-ion is about a mobile phone battery. Would a charger for those be working?

Nice video Rik! It really is a strong puller with 4x4.. Great layout with the little bridge across the small river. :thumbright:
"En schöne Gruess" from an Alpine railway in Holland.

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sun May 06, 2018 8:33 am

daan wrote: Sun May 06, 2018 8:25 am May be a dumb remark: 3.7 volt Li-ion is about a mobile phone battery. Would a charger for those be working?
In theory it could, Daan. But mobile phones include circuitry to monitor the charging process and the charger just provides the power. An 'intelligent' charger includes the circuitry. It is possible to buy a circuit board to manage charging but it would have to be wired into the loco (or added to the phone charger).

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
tom_tom_go
Driver
Driver
Posts: 4824
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:08 am
Location: Kent, UK
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by tom_tom_go » Sun May 06, 2018 9:18 am

Thanks guys, I forgot about Rik's blog about the charger so I think I will take the plunge next time one of my NiMH packs dies as I would like more space in my Cricket to fit a smoke generator.

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sun May 06, 2018 12:51 pm

Video of her test run. Not very exciting, but gives you an idea of her in action.


Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
IanC
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 798
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:15 am
Location: Nr. Warrington, Cheshire

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by IanC » Sun May 06, 2018 1:03 pm

Another superb build Rik.

While I still procrastinate over the HGLW kit you built and made me decide would be my next project you've now made me reconsider.

Based on your experiences, which would you say is the more powerful?

Thanks,

Ian
Ian

User avatar
tom_tom_go
Driver
Driver
Posts: 4824
Joined: Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:08 am
Location: Kent, UK
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by tom_tom_go » Sun May 06, 2018 1:15 pm

It makes a nice little 2-stroke engine noise.

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Sun May 06, 2018 2:09 pm

IanC wrote: Sun May 06, 2018 1:03 pm Another superb build Rik.

While I still procrastinate over the HGLW kit you built and made me decide would be my next project you've now made me reconsider.

Based on your experiences, which would you say is the more powerful?

Thanks,

Ian
Not sure, as yet, Ian. At the moment, the HGLW loco is by far the most powerful, but that's because it has 4wd as standard. After I've installed 4wd on the IP Engineering loco I'll be able to make a better comparison.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
IanC
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 798
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:15 am
Location: Nr. Warrington, Cheshire

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by IanC » Sun May 06, 2018 5:36 pm

Thank you Rik,

I was interested to note that you fit 4wd after you have completed the build and not during it.

I would have thought that it's harder to do it that way than when the kit is still in parts?

I'll await your findings. Given the speed of your previous builds I suspect that won't be long!

Ian
Ian

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Mon May 07, 2018 7:50 am

IanC wrote: Sun May 06, 2018 5:36 pm Thank you Rik,

I was interested to note that you fit 4wd after you have completed the build and not during it.

I would have thought that it's harder to do it that way than when the kit is still in parts?

I'll await your findings. Given the speed of your previous builds I suspect that won't be long!

Ian
Hi Ian
You're quite right. It would have made a lot more sense to install the 4wd mechanism during the build, but I was doing this one as simply as possible purposefully for my blog. I realised, when replying to someone who had enquired about fitting radio control, that nowhere on my blog was a simple description of how to do it. All my descriptions include wiring-up additional bits and pieces like directional lighting or soundcards. So I kept the initial build and rc installation as straightforward as possible. Just like the HGLW build, I'll write up the detailing ( and the fitting of 4wd) as a separate posting. I'll put a link in the first post in the mechanism section to the 4wd post, mentioning it would be a good time to fit the chain drive but a first-time builder might prefer not to have the added complication at that stage (but might decide to do it later).

Sorry, long answer to a simple question.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
IanC
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 798
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:15 am
Location: Nr. Warrington, Cheshire

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by IanC » Mon May 07, 2018 8:50 am

ge_rik wrote: Mon May 07, 2018 7:50 am
IanC wrote: Sun May 06, 2018 5:36 pm Thank you Rik,

I was interested to note that you fit 4wd after you have completed the build and not during it.

I would have thought that it's harder to do it that way than when the kit is still in parts?

I'll await your findings. Given the speed of your previous builds I suspect that won't be long!

Ian
Hi Ian
You're quite right. It would have made a lot more sense to install the 4wd mechanism during the build, but I was doing this one as simply as possible purposefully for my blog. I realised, when replying to someone who had enquired about fitting radio control, that nowhere on my blog was a simple description of how to do it. All my descriptions include wiring-up additional bits and pieces like directional lighting or soundcards. So I kept the initial build and rc installation as straightforward as possible. Just like the HGLW build, I'll write up the detailing ( and the fitting of 4wd) as a separate posting. I'll put a link in the first post in the mechanism section to the 4wd post, mentioning it would be a good time to fit the chain drive but a first-time builder might prefer not to have the added complication at that stage (but might decide to do it later).

Sorry, long answer to a simple question.

Rik
Rik,

Don't apologise for any long answers. I understand your logic. As I am a simple person and lack a lot of experience in this scale, all knowledge is good and useful. There may be other browsers out there too like me. Performance is important to me, besides having a good looking loco hence my questions.

Interestingly from what I understand the two locomotives (HGLW and IPE) use diffferent forms of 4wd. IPE presumably uses a chain and the HGLW a belt? As far as I know IPE no longer supply the chain and cogs?

Thanks for taking the time and trouble to reply.

Ian
Ian

User avatar
ge_rik
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 6497
Joined: Sun Oct 25, 2009 10:20 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by ge_rik » Mon May 07, 2018 9:15 am

IanC wrote: Mon May 07, 2018 8:50 am Interestingly from what I understand the two locomotives (HGLW and IPE) use diffferent forms of 4wd. IPE presumably uses a chain and the HGLW a belt? As far as I know IPE no longer supply the chain and cogs?
Yes, curious that the chain and sprockets are no longer on the IPE website, as they make a world of difference to 2wd locos' performance. I like the way that 4wd is made available as an option on the HGLW website, and the pulley system is a lot easier to build - in fact, wheels, gears and pulleys come already fitted to the axles which makes construction a lot easier for a novice, whereas the wheels and gears have to be fitted to the axles in the IPE kit which can be a bit daunting if you've not done it before.

Rik
------------------------
Peckforton Light Railway - Blog Facebook Youtube

User avatar
IanC
Trainee Driver
Trainee Driver
Posts: 798
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 9:15 am
Location: Nr. Warrington, Cheshire

Re: IP Engineering Albert

Post by IanC » Mon May 07, 2018 9:38 am

ge_rik wrote: Mon May 07, 2018 9:15 am
IanC wrote: Mon May 07, 2018 8:50 am Interestingly from what I understand the two locomotives (HGLW and IPE) use diffferent forms of 4wd. IPE presumably uses a chain and the HGLW a belt? As far as I know IPE no longer supply the chain and cogs?
Yes, curious that the chain and sprockets are no longer on the IPE website, as they make a world of difference to 2wd locos' performance. I like the way that 4wd is made available as an option on the HGLW website, and the pulley system is a lot easier to build - in fact, wheels, gears and pulleys come already fitted to the axles which makes construction a lot easier for a novice, whereas the wheels and gears have to be fitted to the axles in the IPE kit which can be a bit daunting if you've not done it before.

Rik
Thanks again Rik. I've built locomotive kits in 4mm scale so the IPE system wouldn't be a concern for me. I wonder if one system is better thant the other?
I'll enquire with IPE if I remember to see if they still do the 4wd kit.

Ian
Ian

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests