Manual controller for battery locos?

[ianed57]

Hi all,

Having come back to garden railways recently I am renovating a battery loco I built about ten years ago on an IP Engineering 0-4-0 chassis. It had a simple on/off switch but I would like to put a manual controller in. I know there are various products available and just wondered what people had found successful. It used to have 4 sub C cells and was nice and sedate. I'm now using 6 2900ah AA cells- probably a bit much for all or nothing.

I was interested to read about the inertia circuit elsewhere but I've got no chance of putting one of those together- I have to revise to wire up a DPDT switch!

When I came to look at a second loco I built- a steam outline engine with cells built into the boiler and side tanks I found the wheels turned a little on switching on and after a charge she went beautifully. This was after over ten years in storage. It was a relief as it would require major surgery to change the batteries in that one.

Let me nail my colours to the mast and state that I like battery locos- they are sedate, cheap and run for ever- and I can build them!

All the best,

Ian

[laurence703]

IP Engineering do a manual speed controller for £13 I think... its under the home builder parts.

[GTB]

I was interested to read about the inertia circuit elsewhere but I've got no chance of putting one of those together- I have to revise to wire up a DPDT switch!

The IP Engineering speed control requires assembly, but it's a very simple circuit.

Cambrian sell a similar circuit assembled, for about the same money.

Andel has a more sophisticated circuit that comes assembled, but costs a bit more.

I could add photos of the inertia circuit assembled on a bit of perf board if it would help.

Regards,
Graeme

[ianed57]

Thanks for the replies and offers of help. I am aware of IP's product and that of Cambrian. I will look at the Andel one. I just wondered if anyone had used any of them.

GTB- a very kind offer but I know my limitations. As I said, simple wiring taxes me! Funnily enough it was your post I found when I Googled about speed controllers and I recognised the 'all or nothing' aspect of the on/off switch.

All the best,

Ian