A battery car is trailing car with a battery in it that is used to power a locomotive with a radio control receiver installed. Aristo-Craft locomotives come with an MU connector to plug in a battery car, and a track or battery power switch that will disconnect the track power pick-ups when battery power is selected.
An MU connector and radio control receiver can also be added to other locomotives. There are several articles in the Locomotive Projects Section that show how this is done.
The car pictured contains an Aristo-Craft, lithium-ion battery pack. The pack is small, light, provides long run times, and holds its charge during winter storage. It can be charged on-board using the car’s MU connector, or unplugged and replaced with another battery pack to extend run times.
An inexpensive, 2-wire connector set is used to connect the battery pack to the MU connector on a locomotive. Although a 40 foot boxcar is shown, a steam tender, a diesel B-unit, or any suitable freight car could be used.
2 comments
It is unlikely that lithium-ion batteries would hold their charge that long.
But you have nothing to lose by trying.
John Burden of the Winona Garden Railway sells a number of 18.5 volt batteries.
Costs can vary depending on the milliamp hour capacity.
https://wgrr.ca/Batteries_c_54.html
Winona Garden Railway
7457 Boyce Dr.
Puslinch/Guelph, ON
Canada
N1H 6H9
Phone: 519-763-WGRR (9477)
Email: john@wgrr.ca
Fred:
I have a Evans boxcar with two batteries installed in it (Aristocraft) which I put together as per your instructions about fifteen years ago. I havn’t tried to charge them and I was just wondering if the is a hope in hell that they will still work. Also, can you tell me how much a new batter is now adays. I know at that time they were about $100 each.
Thank you for your help
Bob Masterson bobmasterson@bell.net
P.S. I now live in Arnprior