rideable garden model e-train project thread

ElectroXa

1 mW
Joined
Jul 29, 2024
Messages
12
Location
France
Hello everyone, here's the thread about my rideable model train project
I don't know if it belongs here or another sub-forum, I apologize


expected specs :
track gauge 30cm ≈1ft or 50cm, interchangeable
length of the electric locomotive : 1.5m
width of the e-locomotive : 54cm
electrical system : 2 halled BLDC motors (1kW each) fed by 2 48V ESCs, fed by a protected central third rail

total length with 1 carriage and 1 cab car : 6m

Screenshot_20240820-214401.pngScreenshot_20240820-214349.pngThe pieces I have :
the incomplete dashboard with throttle / e-brake, door controls for carriage, reverse keyswitch

the electronic bay, the front / rear lights panels
ESCs, and the seat

i will keep the thread up to date
 
Last edited:
There's no suitable subforum for this, but we like goofy stuff like this! good luck on the build
 
I like it, as useless objects go.

Please keep us updated.
 
Cool! :) You're using some onboard storage too? I'd be wary of the 3rd rail having some intermittency or reduced capacity in some conditions and having to reboot every time it hicups. And will 48v be ok for the 3rd rail length and capacity, not too much voltage drop?
 
Cool! :) You're using some onboard storage too? I'd be wary of the 3rd rail having some intermittency or reduced capacity in some conditions and having to reboot every time it hicups. And will 48v be ok for the 3rd rail length and capacity, not too much voltage drop?
I will likely use an onboard supercap on the 48V bus, to help cope with the intermittency,

and for the drop of the rail, if I use 48V, it will be fed regularly, with a feeder cable, or use a strongly protected third rail for slightly higher voltage, AC or DC
 
I've been playing with a 38cm gauge railroad in my shop area, my track is not so great but I've managed to carry a passenger on my single powered bogie. Torque is supplied by a small 100w motor from a razor scooter.

My child sat on the bogie and used a single 18650 4.0v cell to ride the track to the end a few times, I love the low rolling resistance. I need to build more track and make a cute little trolley with a solar panel roof. Several projects keep getting in the way, actual rail is impossible to get here so I'm using much to thin flat bar.
 

Attachments

  • 20240130_111735.jpg
    20240130_111735.jpg
    4.7 MB · Views: 13
Your ESCs appear to be the same ones found on the xaiomi m365. Have you thought about using the m365 dashboard, but with custom firmware? Im pretty certain custom firmware is needed if you don’t have the BMS battery connection to the ESC, for the ESC to work, otherwise you’ll get errors.

This thread is a bit more info about disabling the BMS. The batteries for the xaiomi have a discharge port, charge port, and a BMS hook up. The displays are expecting the BMS connection.

There is also mention of needing custom firmware to operate those ESC at 48 volts here.

I just got a clone of a xaiomi m365 and have been diving deep.
 
Back
Top