I just posted a YouTube video featuring LocoFi in a Dead Rail/battery operated use.
The Video is Titled:
Making and Using a Portable Dead Rail Demonstration HO Layout - Part 1
I’ve also created a Webpage titled “A Journey Into HO Scale Model Railroading in the
21st Century” where I’ve posted a lot more information on my foam board constructed, portable, Dead Rail demonstration layout. It also has information on the conversion of a Walther’s EMD GP15-1 for Dead Rail operation using LocoFi and lots of other useful information and concepts.
I plan on starting to work on my second LocoFi conversion to Dead Rail soon.
I love “running trains” using LocoFi.
Thanks for a well thought out and useful product that adds a lot to the adventure of model railroading.
Sincerely,
Ken Myers
You must be a mind reader. ;-) Most of what you mention is exactly what I planned on doing!
I finished up the 2nd LocoFi install this morning and did a test run on the demo layout in all directions. With all those switches and curves, it was a good challenge for the unit, which consists of the locomotive and a gondola “battery car”. It passed with flying colors.
The 2nd conversion is completely different from the first.
The first conversion used a 3S 300mAh LiPo battery. I did that mostly just to satisfy myself that it could be done with the battery in the locomotive.
Maybe you saw the part on my Webpage where I noted that I did not recommend doing a similar Dead Rail conversion unless you know a lot about LiPo batteries and their inherent risks as well as their safe usage and storage.
This second conversion uses a much safer battery and I could recommend it because the IMR Lithium-ion 10440 350mAh cells are much “safer” for the average user to use. The pack contains 4 of these cells, so it supplies a higher voltage than the 3 cell pack. The pack is in a battery car/gondola, which can easily be covered by a load, and it connects to LocoFi in the locomotive. Charging these batteries is easy and inexpensive as well as being relatively much safer than charging LiPo batteries.
I plan on configuring the 2nd locomotive tomorrow.
I do have a question though.
Since conversion 1 uses about 12V and conversion 2 about 16V, will I be able to consist them?
I do realize that’s unusual, as using track power it would either be 12V or 16V and not both. I guess I’ll answer my own question in the morning.
Thanks,
Ken Myers