Jonathan,

Thanks, now I know what engine it belongs to.  I do see the wires are color coded and the identifying markings on the board.  I have a multitester and will do some checking.  I'm converting some of my engines to on-board battery power and 2.4 GHz radio control.  This longer tender will go with an Athearn Genesis 2-8-2 Mikado (or possibly a Bachmann 4-6-2 Pacific) to accomodate larger batteries.

Roger's(?) idea of keeping the original tender's PCB is fine, but the Mikado engine had an NMRA harness and there was nothing inside the tender.

I appreciate the responses provided.

Dan   

I purchased an HO USRA Long Tender, Item #89831, and it is DCC Ready. I operate on DC only.

I'm trying to find an electrical schematic for the circuit board inside so I understand how the two wiring harnesses are used. Does anyone know how this PCB operates or where I can find a schematic for it?
Not sure if I should remove it or hook up to it in some way.

Dan

OK, let me continue with what I've done to create a practical battery powered, radio controlled HO locomotive. For the transmitter, I chose a Spektrum DX5e using the new 2.4 GHz frequency band with DSM2 modulation. If you are just starting out, this is the way to go. I used the receiver that came with it, a Spektrum AR500, with same frequency and modulation. The speed controller is a surface type with reversing capability.

Batteries took a while to investigate and decide on. While traditional Lithium types, or LiPos seemed obvious, the newer LiFePO4 batteries, just being introduced, are the ones to get. For now, and for practical reasons, I use Eneloop (Sanyo) pre-charged rechargeable batteries.

What makes this all practical is the type of motor you use. For maximum power, using a minimum amount of current, I use a brushed, Swiss precision motor. Installed in an AMD-103, I get considerable pulling effort and an approximate run time of 6-8 hours. My second prototype will use a combination receiver-speed controller small enough to allow twice as many on-board batteries. MUing is possible by using a second locomotive with its receiver also bound to the same transmitter.

Hope this helps those with similar interests as mine. 

Dan
   

Greetings! I'm new to this forum and would like to tell you about my project. It began 3 years ago and I am at the point of completing a prototype engine that is battery powered and radio controlled. I can tell you it works very well, so well that a 2nd engine is now being constructed with more power and longer run times.

Before I get into the details (on another post since it looks like I have some limitations) I'd like to mention why radio control appeals to me.
* I can eliminate the considerable time and cost it takes to wire all my track.
* Track maintenance isn't required for optimizing the operation and control of my trains
* Radio control is a mature, proven and dependable technology
* Trackwork can be complex with no electrical consequences.
* Switches and crossovers will look better and be cheaper to build
* Operation using a stick is more seamless than other methods
* I'm not tied to a "pre-existing condition" (existing layout, DCC equipment)