Batteries are included…
In recent years I’ve adopted a ‘standard’ on my small cameo layouts. Each is provided with two sockets, a 2.5mm panel socket for a 12v DC feed and a 5 pin DIN socket for the controller…
12v is usually supplied from a 5A laptop power supply - plenty man enough for a LACK shelf layout (even big enough for the lighting on Beaverbrook) but I also have some smaller 1.5A wall plugs suitable modified with 2.5mm plugs for the smaller Paxton Road and Mosslanda size.
The simple and transferable setup has revolutionised how I build and operate these small scenes - but whilst it offers flexibility it wasn’t portable. I started looking at how I could provide a 12v supply for ad-hoc operation or just to quickly check a setup. The LED lights take 1A per metre, the small N gauge models I use coreless motors with very low current draw, I figured a Mosslanda layout with 50cm of LED should draw less than 1A, probably closer to 0.75A.
I settled upon the setup shown here - and whilst not perfect it has proven to be a good test bed. Initial use has shown 4+ hours between charges for the phone battery bank (apparently 10000mAh but I suspect less) - the 5v to 12v USB boost converter is rated at 1A and is in the USB plug itself so that gets hot and transfers heat to the battery - less than ideal for prolonged use so I’ve ordered a second one that has the boost converter in-line. These come with a 2.1mm socket so need swapping over, a quick job with a soldering iron. Whilst the setup isn’t perfect I’m more than happy with its early promise and put together a very short video to demonstrate it…
I wonder if anyone else has followed my lead with using a 12v supply to power the lighting and controller? If so, whether such a system might offer you a degree of portability. Imagine taking your micro layout outside to enjoy with a beer and a good friend on a summers evening, or in a box, on a train and operate it on the table next to a window as you traverse the line that inspired the model… the possibilities here could be endless now I’ve shown that it is both cheap, and possible! Potentially a weekend exhibition could be done with a pair of 20000mAh battery banks!
I will report back in a few months with my longer term findings but for now, I hope this has been interesting and perhaps encouraged you to follow my lead. Until next time, more soon…
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Heave you thought about using just a 9v booster instead of the 12v? May reduce the heat issue a little. Shouldn't be an issue with the modern motors. While not exactly the same I've converted both US HO and 4mm stock to radio control and mostly used convertors to 9v instead of 12v worked with sound too.
ReplyDeleteWould lower the brightness of the LED lighting quite a lot, and the Gaugemaster is already expecting 16v AC so 12v drops the controllable output to 0-8ish V
DeleteI've not tried using batteries for traction and lighting, but for uncoupling electromagnets I and a few others have been using batteries for a while now, in my case it's 8 x AA batteries in a power pack, as it is only being used for DGs on a small shunting plank it's lasted me several shows so far.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience I didn’t need electromagnets with DG, I just use these buried sliding boxes - which work well in the base of the layout. I can see the attraction though, and the batteries in your case will last ages!
DeleteLighting and traction power is what makes this a break through for me though.
A couple years ago I tried something similar: A Japanese KATO 11-103 N-scale motorised chassis powered by a cheap no-name Chinese 5000 mAh powerbank. After 2.5 hours of continuous circling, I got tired of it; the powerbank was at that moment still indicating about 25% of its capacity.
ReplyDeleteThe benefit here is definitely the portable complete layout - it’s not a gimmick, it’s the cameo unleashed!
DeleteYou are definitely on the right path James. Battery power will be a big part of the future of model railroading. Many lively discussions are taking place on several forums.
ReplyDeleteThanks Scott, it will be interesting to see how it works over a the following weeks and months.
DeleteSome years ago I put together a small hand-held battery controller, comprising a cheap small PWM module, dpdt switch, a 6 x AA battery holder and some wire,all within a 0.2l Really Useful Box. Total cost (less batteries) avout £5 at the time, maybe a little more now.
ReplyDeleteWith 2400mAh rechargeables, it'll power one of my Lack-based micros all day at a show on a full charge.
I also picked up an 8 x AA pack to run the LED strip lights, afain will last all day on a full charge.
Photo and a bit more description here: https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/177556-i-will-spend-%C2%A3150-%C2%A3250-on-a-loco-but-nothing-on-a-controller/page/5/#comment-5094648
Thanks Alan - as I've said elsewhere, this is more about a complete solution to replacing the power supply than a battery powered controller. This solution allows me to power the whole cameo layout including the lights - looks like 4ish hours from one of these cheap Chinese 10000mAh packs - which whilst not quite good enough for an exhibition shows some promise!
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