kyphur

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Sent PM regarding EN & 9volt track...

Nope, not nearly enough parts but I'm happy with 3 cars.

It has power to spare, the whole thing is pretty light. Plus I was able to use the PF components in one of my Maersk engines!

You're asking about 7938 right? First you need to understand that I only built the 2 powered Locomotives, not the unpowered trailing "Dummy" Locos which were 1/2 Passenger car also. For the second Loco I replaced the IR Receiver with 3 red 2 x 4 bricks, 1 black 2 x 4 plate and 1 black 2 x 2 brick with curved top. I didn't install the battery and I used a brick built boogy in place of the PF Train Motor. So I now had 2 identical looking Locomotives (well one had clear headlights and the other red) except one wasn't powered and the 2 stock Passenger Cars. From the parts for the 2 Dummy Trailing Locos I was able to build my 3rd Passenger Car per the instructions by adding these parts: 4 - Brick 1 x 2 with Grille dark bluish grey 1 - Tile 2 x 2 Round with MF Vent pattern light bluish grey 1 - Plate 2 x 2 light bluish grey So now my Passenger Train looks like it has identical Locos at either end and 3 identical cars in the middle.

That's good to know, I'll have to compare the inventory of the 2 sets and just might go that route.

And I have nw secured my second copy of 10025-1! Just need 2 more 10022-1 to complete my Super Chief!

I just secured my first 2 Santa Fe Cars! 1 of each set currently built as Dining Car & Baggage Car.

Just to be sure you understand: If you're just using a 9v Motor with PF then there is no modification needed. If you are powering any metal track on your layout and using a 9v motor with PF that 9v Motor should be modified as described in the article to the motor doesn't actually draw power from the track or you'll see the train jump speed when it hits the powered section.

yes because this mod reauires a strech of powered tracks for the power to be picked-uo from.

Ok, so I do understand what the modification does (even if my wording is a bit confusing).

While I do agree with the idea of using rechargeable batteries over the LEGO rechargeable battery box there is the convenience factor of being able to recharge it without removing it from the train. Some Locomotives require partial disassembly to get it out. I wonder if anyone was opened the LEGO Rec/Box and looked at replacing the cells inside so you could use the integrated charging circuit?

Nils, How wide is that Battery Box? Will it fit in a 2-wide space? It might be the solution for BNSF Battery Box needs.

The 9v Motors are coming with the sets, I'm not seekibg them out. I've thought about selling off all the 9v and just might but gor now the PF Motors are on back order for 3 months so the 9v conversion fills the gap.

PF for sure... I only use the 9v if I don't have enough Plastic & ME Tracks. I have a total of 5 9v Train Motors but they will all be used with PF Receivers & PF to 9v Cables so I don't need to use 9v track. I like things to look the same and the Double Crossovers are only RC/PF Plastic Track so that's what I prefer to be visible when I can start putting down my layout (after we move in 2 months). Now if I can figure-out a way to pick-up power from metal rails to charge the PF Battery pack then each loop will have a stretch of charging track somewhere in the back and even then I'd prefer to use ME Track over LEGO 9v Track.

Yep, the trick is buying/trading for large lots of it. Most was acquired in just 3 deals!

Here is my current Track Inventory: 9volt Track ------------ 154 - Curve 178 - Straight 5 - Switch Left 5 - Switch Right RC/PF Track ------------ 127 - Curve 46 - Straight 6 - Switch Left 6 - Switch Right 7 - Double Crossover 64 - Flexible ME-Models Rail --------------- 8 - Straight 2 - Straight Double 4 - Straight Half

Now I'm even more confused because you disagreed with me and then agreed... I think... Maybe I was just missing a little of the issue. As built the 9v Connector on the Motor has 4 contacts in 2 pairs that are basically like parallel channels for power (i.e. if the motor has power it is sending power down both channels). The modification to the Motor changes that so the 2 pairs work independently (i.e. one can be powered while the other isn't). This is what allows us to use one to send power in to the Motor and the other to draw power out from the wheels/track. Would that be a correct explanation of the modification? I understand how the 9v track/speed controller uses varying resistance to control the train speed and the PF uses PWM. I'm just trying to understand why we MUST neuter a 9v motor to use this modification. If we could come up with a pick-up that attaches to the motor or actually any wheel set and drags two small contacts over the top of the track then we could add this feature to a pure PF Loco as well.

I understand that the metal wheels are the contact. I understand that from there the power feed goes to the motor AND to the connector on top of the 9v Motor housing. If I understand correctly, the modification in the Motor housing disconnects the inbound feed from the motor so the motor now will only get power from the inbound feed on top of the housing? This makes the 9v Motor only good as a PF Train Motor now but with the ability to charge the PF battery pack, right? Is the problem that the differing methods of speed control (PF on/off vs 9v varying resistance) would cause the motor to jump speed when on the charging section of track?

Can someone who understands the electrical part of this article better than I do explain why the Train Motor must be modified? Is there no way to do this entirely outside of the 9v Motor housing? Or if possible, how about making a power pickup that would work without the 9v train motor and recharge the battery pack?

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Can you post a pic?

If you're going that route just put all the PF on a cargo car.

It is 4 studs wide and has smooth sides.

Nope, the batter box is several bricks tall.