Converting LGB locos to R/C

[RateTheFreight]

Evening all,

 

As per a separate topic on the forum, I’ve recently taken ownership of a lovely LGB OBB ‘2091’ Class diesel.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the feasibility of converting it from electric to R/C? If it is possible, is it an easy task or do one of the specialist garden railway shops offer a conversion service?

 

It’s not essential however I’ve always liked the R/C aspect of my dads garden railway, not least the portability benefits and the aabilitt to run on track that might not be the cleanest...

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Greg

[ColinK]

I suggest you sign up to G Scale Central. Its an internet forum like RMweb but specifically for G scale. If the answer is not already there, somebody can probably help. Another source of info in the G Scale Society.

[77philg]

Evening all,

 

As per a separate topic on the forum, I’ve recently taken ownership of a lovely LGB OBB ‘2091’ Class diesel.

 

Does anyone have any advice on the feasibility of converting it from electric to R/C? If it is possible, is it an easy task or do one of the specialist garden railway shops offer a conversion service?

 

It’s not essential however I’ve always liked the R/C aspect of my dads garden railway, not least the portability benefits and the aabilitt to run on track that might not be the cleanest...

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Greg

  Hi greg    http://www.brianjonesmodels.co.uk/page7.html He will provide you with the basics and some advice  .Not cheap but good quality reliable electronics.

  

  This Bachmann shay is radio controlled with the mac 5  8years ago and still runs well  Phil

[New Haven Neil]

Brian Jones or Fosworks - both good suppliers with good gear.

[Mike Storey]

Have a look at the attached - far more available than just the usual suspects:

 

https://www.gscalecentral.net/threads/dummies-guide-to-convert-a-track-powered-g-scale-locomotive-to-rc-battery-powered.305931/

[DavidB]

Not all electronic speed controllers are equal - I had some very disappointing experiences with a couple of products, such as a 16mm scale Double Fairlie that came professionally fitted with r/c at considerable additional expense. The ESC produced a very irritating electronic whine and it turned out that it had been designed for r/c cars, meaning that the quality of control in reverse was much lower than in forward direction. Not much use for a double-ended locomotive, so I had to strip out the installation and fit my preferred (silent and superbly controllable) ESC from RCS.

 

David

[RateTheFreight]

Thanks for the info and encouragement all; sounds like there’s some options out there.

 

What started as a vague plan to do something in the garden is rapidly gaining traction (excuse the pun).

 

Greg

[Corbs]

Hi there, my friend Rich has done a few low budget RC conversions to Playmobil locos that were very effective, I asked him for his advice and he did this write up for you:

 

"I have converted a number of Playmobil DC locos to RC very efectively via this method. The locos are very reliable and are far more useable, shunting and slow running power is greatly increased.
What you will need is: A digital TX and RX bundle so you have a reciver and transmitter. An aviation unit is great for this as they will normally have a throttle gimbal which doesn't return to centre, great for continuous running. They also usually carry up to 6 channels so great for adding features like RC lighting.
A speed controller, match this to the battery you chose and motor fitted, in my case I use a Hobbywing QuikRun 1060 Brushed motor ESC, it is capable of 60A so well in excess of requirements and suitable for NICAD/NMH OR LiPo/LION battery support. Smaller ESC's are around if space is at a premium.
Finally, a battery (and charger). I use Zippy Lipos, again, aviation parts. Lipo is great as you can just charge it and shelf it, no need for a regime of top-up charging. Battery choice is up to you, whatever fits.
You need to add fly leads to yout motor to connect to the ESC outputs, the battery needs connecting to the power in on the EXC and the control lead to whichever channel you want to you on the RX. Simple as that. Adviseable to remove the pickups as otherwise you back-power the track. I fit an isolater switch in the main battery + line rather than use the switch on the ESC as this can be used to isolate the power in even of an 'occurance'. Worth also fitting a fuse.
That's more or less it."

 

Battery one end, ESC and RX t'other

 

[muns]

Have a word with Phil at RC Trains. http://rctrains.co.uk

[a98087]

That rc trains link that’s been posted is the easiest and most compact way to do things,

 

There are other ways of doing things it depends on what you want to do, I use model aircraft equipment, but with a servo operating a toggle switch to change polarity as airplanes don’t fly backwards!

 

And have a look on gscalecentral, it’s very friendly and there’s a few how to guides.

 

And you’ve chosen a good loco to start with, as it’s size makes it very easy to have all the rc gear and a massive battery onboard, I’ve converted mine, and it was easy

 

Dan

[a98087]

Here’s a a few photos of my rc set up,

 

It’s not the neatest, but it works well for what I want,

 

The battery is a 3s 1ah lipo, I normally use a 5 ah but that’s tucked away,

 

There is a receiver, esc and servo/toggle switch all tucked away and there’s still loads of room, and the original weights are still fitted.

 

Hope the pictures are usefull

 

 

 

 

Dan