Bachmann 2-8-0 Consolidation ("Connie")

   Bachmann Consolodation 2-8-0 (Connie)

 

This loco was given to me in a non working order, Investigations revealed that it had a split drive gear on the drive axle (a common fault with Bachmann locos).  

A repair was made by replacing the whole drive axle assembly with one from Bachmann that has a brass gear mounted on the axle.

 The loco was then converted to Battery power Radio Remote Control and Sound using the components listed below.

 

Radio Control & Electronic Components

Radio Control Components

• HobbyKing 2.4Ghz 4Ch Transmitter (Tx) Version2 Mode 1, (Throttle on the RIGHT) converted so that throttle is on Left Hand stick for Consolidation with the Right Hand stick used for Shay.

• HobbyKing 2.4Ghz Receiver (Rx) T6A-V2, compatible only with HobbyKing T4A & T6AVersion2 transmitters, (a 4 channel Rx comes with a Tx/Rx combo but any extra Rx’s have to be 6 channel, because that is all that is offered by HobbyKing).

Motor Drive

• Pololu 18V7 simple Motor Controller (ESC) basically a controlled H – Bridge. Motor speed and direction parameters plus neutral position and battery protection levels are programmed via a USB cable using Pololu Control Centre software (free download from Pololu). 

Battery

• One (1) 14.4V 4S2P 18650 Li-ion battery, to give a nominal 14.4V which provides power for all the electronic components, Front & Rear Lights, and the Motor.

• A 3A Polyswitch is used as a circuit breaker it is connected in the battery positive lead between the battery and the On/Off switch.

Sound

• MyLocoSound Sound Card 

Lights

The Front LED light is wired across the motor lugs, the Rear LED is connected to the motor input (M1, M2) of the sound card

They are wired in opposite polarity giving directional lighting.

Component Locations

• All electronic components; Battery, Pololu motor controller and the MyLocoSound card, are mounted in the tender.

• The speaker is mounted on the tender floor. 

 Wiring
Motor and front LED power is via a header socket and plug, with the socket mounted on the tender and the plug on a lead from the loco. The pins and socket leads are wired in parallel for to reduce the amount of current each individual pin has to carry.  
A DPDT switch is used for power ON/OFF. (Battery is removed for charging to mitigate risk of fire/explosion.)