RCS has now finalised the way we recommend installing battery R/C in the K-27.
Firstly we will show how to do it at the lowest possble cost using the fitted TRACK - BATTERY switch as an ON-OFF switch for the system.
No soldering is needed.
This method is very basic and not designed for using a sound system.
You will need to drill 1 x 5/16" hole to mount the CHG-JACK.
Parts needed are:
1 x # TX-4 4 function transmitter handpiece.
1 x # PnP-3 Plug'n'Play R/C controller.
1 x # CHG-JACK to access the batteries for charging.
1 x # Y-CABLE to put two 7.2 volt batery packs in series for 14.4 volts.
2 x 7.2 volt 2400 mah SuB NiCd batteries.
We recommend you read the RCS PnP-3 instructions along with the following procedure.
http://www.rcs-rc.com/PDF/Battery_RC/RCS/Instructions/PnP_3_TX_24.pdf (http://www.rcs-rc.com/PDF/Battery_RC/RCS/Instructions/PnP_3_TX_24.pdf)
The first thing to do is remove the body shell of the tender so the chassis looks like this.
(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Bachmann-K27v3/Simple/01.jpg)
Then we removed all the track pick ups and associated wiring.
(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Bachmann-K27v3/Simple/02.jpg)
The speaker was mounted.
(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Bachmann-K27v3/Simple/03.jpg)
Then the batteries and # CHG-JACK were mounted in the tender shell. We used regular silicone tile and gutter sealant.
The batteries were placed in series using the # Y-CABLE. the red and black wires were then connected to the battery sideof the # CHG-JACK.
(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Bachmann-K27v3/Simple/04.jpg)
The controller side of the # CHG-JACK was connected to the BATTERY + and - terminals on the socket pcb. Then we remounted the K-27 body shell.
(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Bachmann-K27v3/Simple/05.jpg)
Lastly we mounted the # RX-8 metal cased receiver under the coal load and glued the antenna wire around the edge with dabs of silicone adhesive.
(http://www.rcs-rc.com/pics/Bachmann-K27v3/Simple/06.jpg)
We will show our prefered way of doing an installation for Phoenix P5 + P5T in another thread.
Thanks Tony !! :o
You make it look simple. ::)
The pics help so much. :)
Sean
Hello Tony
I had though of using the pre made battery packs just as you have discribed. I have two 7.2 @2400ma
I was going to have a single pack made up , and it was or is going to be 13 sub c batteries @4500mia giving a voltage of 16.2 ( I Think ) .
Do you think this is over kill and will be located in a trailing car behind the tender.
Also it comes with a wall mount charger which charges the batteries singularly in about 5 hours ea , ( the 2x 7.2 2400's )
I have been worried about heat when recharging the batteries , if they can over heat and melt the plastic on the tender .
Also as I under stand , the higher the ma. rating , the longer the running time one will have ( correct ) , but one must take in consideration the grades on you railroad , size of trains being run , and weight of train being run too .
Your thoughts please
Thanks in advance
Hello Mudhen.
There is no hard and fast rule on battery voltage.
Because of the 15:1 gearing, top speed on 14.4 volts is more than adequate.
13x cells = 15.6 volts and is probably OK.
I have never had a problem with the batteries getting too hot when charging using a proper peak detection charger, or overnight standard rate charging at the recommended 10% rate for 14 hours.
There should be plenty of room in the tender for most batteries.
I chose to do it the way I did because it gave me more convenient access to the ON-OFF switch and charge jack.
Grades may very well slow the K-27 down on steepish grade but that does depend somewhat on the load.
So far the K-27 will haul quite a decent load but will of course be limited by adhesion. If the wheels slip don't try loading the loco with any more weight.