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 Posted - December 19 2010 : 7:01:35 PM
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I have had an old Casiotone 450 electronic keyboard kicking around, and spent part of the day Saturday trying to troubleshoot it. Had one bad solder connection, but still didn't work after fixing that, so in the end, after researching it, decided to scrap it. Looking at the base, it has a 6 D-cell compartment, so I started thinking....HMM. Could it be used for a battery powered test track? Lets find out! I'd bought 8 batteries for it already, because I didn't have any power packs for it. So, after removing the back, I mounted a strip of Homasote inside, and nailed down some steel track pieces and one rerailer. With 6 D cells it will definitely power locomotives! I tried the FL9, the Hustlers, and some others I had around, and they all took off. Unfortunately, I don't have a power switch on it yet, and twice the wires contacted each other, and it melted one end of the battery compartment while I was away from it. Darn! Luckily there's a slot to put the contact spring in in front of the melted area, so I can still use it. I'll just take the 6th battery out until i can wire that in. But it does make a nice portable test bed for motive power. Not sure how long batteries will last ( especially when they short out! ), but it looks like it'll work ok. Maybe with rechargeables and a safety disconnect, it should work fine. Here's some pics of it.
One more useless thing gone, and something useful taking it's place. Woo-hoo! 
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - December 19 2010 : 7:46:10 PM
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very nice Do they even make a thing to put on the track with wheels to let your loco run?
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Posted - December 19 2010 : 8:31:19 PM
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quote: Do they even make a thing to put on the track with wheels to let your loco run?
Originally posted by microbusss - December 19 2010 : 7:46:10 PM
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You mean in place? Not on the track itself, but there are HO powered test stands out there, but because they're precision made to match the wheelbase of steam engines, etc. they're about $200+, some much higher. I've seen them, but not in my price range, or need. I just thought it'd be nice to have a portable, non-cord train test bed. Not sure how much I'll use it, but since the keyboard was trash anyway, I'll keep this part around awhile and see how it works for me.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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farace
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Posted - December 19 2010 : 9:58:32 PM
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Sure they do. Check this out:
http://www.micromark.com/HO-and-On30-LOCOMOTIVE-ROLLERS-ASSEMBLED-SET-OF-4,8274.html
Still not cheap, but a heckuva lot cheaper than that dedicated test stand.
Sure looks useful, though.
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Posted - December 20 2010 : 12:34:42 AM
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| You might want to treat yourself to some bumpers, so your engine doesn't go flying off the end of the track. Atlas makes some nice ones.
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Posted - December 20 2010 : 02:10:19 AM
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quote:You might want to treat yourself to some bumpers, so your engine doesn't go flying off the end of the track. Atlas makes some nice ones.
Originally posted by AF Kid - December 20 2010 : 12:34:42 AM
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Yeah, I know! I've got a pair somewhere, need to dig them out and put them on.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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