Anybody in the future, will probably go with battery to save all this hastle. When I started batteries were expensive, heavy, and would only last a year.
Joe, I was going to start a new topic until I saw this in my search.
I recently converted all my 3-rail steam to BPRC (Battery-Power, Remote-Control) using the RC system from Tony Walsham of RCS: http://www.rcs-rc.com/pages/home in Australia. I'm using both NiMh and LiPo batteries, cost is usually less than $20/battery. I also have a Bachmann G scale 4-6-0 and Tony offers a kit for the Annie.
I've been thinking about installing the kit in my Ten-Wheeler, but wanted to see if anyone here has used the RCS system. I think it retains the original Bachmann sound system but they also offer the "My Locosounds" system.
I've been getting excellent run time on my O scale engines, the Williams brass N&W J weighs 14 pounds, with 4 passenger cars it goes up to 22 lbs!!!. The Bachmann engine doesn't weigh nearly that much so I figure the RCS system and either type of 12v battery would/should work fine.
Oh, I'm currently using a laptop power supply and my old Aristo-Craft Train Engineer I bought last century for my HO layout.
Any thoughts?
Bob, if you're still out there? I just saw this.
Only thing I could comment on is I like to run big trains and use smoke. I think that I'd need some big battery power and I hope they would last if I invested in battery.
I think I may just try a pair of Aristo Dash 9s to start with battery. They struggle the most with dirt so battery should fix that.
The economy for me with track power, comes when the number of engines gets up there. I'd have to have many Airwire boards, sound boards, the controller, and batteries.
