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@Ron045 posted:

From the RP website.

Will RailPro work in brass shell locomotives?

We have not done much testing with RailPro in metal or brass locomotives but several of our customers have said that they work well in brass and full metal locomotives. The Model RR News installed one in a full die cast locomotive and told us that it worked well. RailPro locomotive modules might not have as much range in metal body (brass) locomotives because the RF signal may get attenuated. We have been told that the range is typically about 2/3 of its normal range.

Thanks.

@BOB WALKER posted:

For deadrail running, we have three workable battery types, all of which I have used successfully. These are Li Ion, NiMH and NiCad. The picture shows these three in 12V versions. Prices for all three are reasonable.

Bob,

Is that Admiral battery a LiIon or a LiPo?  It appears to have a balance lead.  Balance leads can make installs difficult.  And if the balance lead is not used for charging, battery life can be shortened.

I like LiIon's with Printed Circuit Board (PCB) protection.  Only one lead for charging and the PCB prevents from overcharge and also from undercurrent from running the battery too low.

I started using MTO batteries but found these XML batteries do the same job at nearly 1/3 the price.

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  • mceclip0

I have just finished my 4th conversion to battery power. It has been most awarding so far. Today I disconnected cab2 got it ready for sale. Also disconnected all power to my track. I then ran the 4 engines 2 at a time for approximately 2 hrs. I had not one mishap that never happened for me before with hot rails. Now I will have to convert my caboose line to battery power that's the next project. I have attached pictures of the finished engines ( well one I forgot the handrails on one side). . Would like to thank Ron045 for his support he probably quivers when I message him . Still need to start the change over to 2 rail from 3 rail.  That will come in time. 20221231_14271520221231_14270520221231_14265220221231_142643

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  • 20221231_142715: 3nd conversion
  • 20221231_142705: 2nnd conversion
  • 20221231_142652: 4th conversion

Several of us in SoCal converted the current Ready To Play sets to run on Standard Gauge track by adjusting the wheels in the trucks. The engines come with a basic bluetooth dedicated remote and we run rechargable batteries so we can run on any Standard Gauge track anywhere. We have done some outdoor and parking lot portable displays that work well.

All 24 of my engines have been BPRC'd.  I think the last was a Williams brass USRA 2-8-2 I repainted for a class of engines Atlantic Coast Line used:

DSCN1055

I gutted the old electronics out of the engine except the motor.  Installed a Deltang receiver, a 9.6v NiMh battery pack inside the tender shell, with  an On/Off switch and charging jack module from RCS Australia under the foam coal load in the tender.  The headlight and rear light are LEDs.

I've had no problems with signal loss running around my 13x30ft layout.  My steamers range from a small MTH USRA 0-6-0 to a massive Williams 4-8-4 N&W class J.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is how to connect the electronics from the tender to the engine.  Depending on what type/brand of connector I used I usually have to fiddle with the existing space normally used for mounting the original connector.  Sometimes there's no issue and sometimes I've had to Dremel some material away to make the new connector fit.  I've used original connectors (Williams and MTH) and have even put together my own.

Diesels have all the electronics under the shell and no need for a cable.  My tightest fit was a MTH NW2 but I managed to stuff it all inside and even put an interior of sorts and crew in the cab.

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  • DSCN1055

Bob, Thank you for posting that picture, I have a few questions, first does the voltage regulator generate enough heat to require that large of a heat sink? What amperage rating is the Rectifier, and what is the size of the capacitor. I am interested in doing this SW with the new Blunami 2200, it seems to be the ideal decoder for this engine. I run Legacy/TMCC on my layout and the fact that now DCC is available and can be done on AC powered track is right up my alley.

Ray

Here is a photo of my MTH GS-4 that is battery powered and is controlled by the Rail Pro system.  The engine is diecast.  It runs better than my track powered engines because there are no electrical pickup issues.  NH Joe

AWESOME!!!  Bet you can fit quite a big battery in that tender too.

Did you load a picture of your engine into the hand held remote?

Ron

New to the thread. I have converted over 80 steam (mostly brass) to bprc (dead-rail) using Airwire-compatible transmitters and receivers, which are 1/3rd the cost of Airwire: the ProMiniAir transmitters and receivers. The ProMini Air is also compatible with Tam Valley Depot DRS1, Stanton Cab, and Gwire. I have converted Sunset 3rd Rail 3-Rail (by machining the drivers a la Foehrkolb) and 2-Rail, Williams, Precision Scale, KTM (Max Gray), MTH (using the resident PS-3.0 boards in DCC mode), Lionel, etc.

I use ESU LokSound 5 L and 5 XL, Zimo MX 696K and 699K, and QSI Titan decoders.

You can see examples of my work on oscaledeadrail.com.

Sunset L-105

Lionel H-7

L-131

Sunset L-131

UP_4-12-2

MTH UP 4-12-2

Cab_Forward

Williams Cab Forward

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Images (6)
  • L-131
  • L-105
  • mceclip1
  • H-7
  • UP_4-12-2
  • Cab_Forward
Last edited by DarrellR
@DarrellR posted:

New to the thread. I have converted over 80 steam (mostly brass) to bprc (dead-rail) using Airwire-compatible transmitters and receivers, which are 1/3rd the cost of Airwire: the ProMiniAir transmitters and receivers. The ProMini Air is also compatible with Tam Valley Depot DRS1, Stanton Cab, and Gwire. I have converted Sunset 3rd Rail 3-Rail (by machining the drivers a la Foehrkolb) and 2-Rail, Williams, Precision Scale, KTM (Max Gray), MTH (using the resident PS-3.0 boards in DCC mode), Lionel, etc.

I use ESU LokSound 5 L and 5 XL, Zimo MX 696K and 699K, and QSI Titan decoders.

You can see examples of my work on oscaledeadrail.com.

Sunset L-105

Lionel H-7

Sunset L-131

MTH UP 4-12-2

Williams Cab Forward

80 Locos converted?   Wow. 

@DarrellR posted:

New to the thread. I have converted over 80 steam (mostly brass) to bprc (dead-rail) using Airwire-compatible transmitters and receivers, which are 1/3rd the cost of Airwire: the ProMiniAir transmitters and receivers. The ProMini Air is also compatible with Tam Valley Depot DRS1, Stanton Cab, and Gwire. I have converted Sunset 3rd Rail 3-Rail (by machining the drivers a la Foehrkolb) and 2-Rail, Williams, Precision Scale, KTM (Max Gray), MTH (using the resident PS-3.0 boards in DCC mode), Lionel, etc.

I use ESU LokSound 5 L and 5 XL, Zimo MX 696K and 699K, and QSI Titan decoders.

You can see examples of my work on oscaledeadrail.com.

Greetings Darrell:

I am reaching out to you on your site.  I have some questions for you and do not want to hijack this thread.  Thank you.

--Nate

@Ron045 posted:

80 Locos converted?   Wow.

Ron, you have become the 'deadrail' ambassador.    Nice work on your conversions and other info.  I inquired about BlueRail products via their site, as it seems they are not available now.  Now Darrell's method seems worth looking at as well.  At this stage, I do not want an excessively time-consuming project, but I have two Atlas AEM7s with no control guts, and trains they are needed for.  I am just looking to get them running with basic lighting effects; no sound needed.

Anyway, thanks again.  Your posts are an enjoyable read.

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