Climax #6...




Climax #6, has been converted to battery power it is a tight fit but we did it!!!....
I put all the "RCS" R/C, Sierra Sound, switches, etc in the tender including a 3" speaker (I had to extend the coal load at the floor for the speaker) I used packing tape to hold all the electronics together. (see pictures below)
I used 10 Ni-MH 2.2Ah sub C's batteries, (2 over firebox, in boiler from front of firebox to smoke box 3+2+2 ) the 10th in the firebox. I modified the boiler by cutting a slot in the bottom about 1/2" wide x length of two batteries, the battery is flush with the bottom of the boiler and when painted you can not see it. I also modified the silver firebox by moving the diodes to allow the battery to fit, It was a lot of work but it does fit and runs and sounds great.
NOTE - changes made to the original install......
I originally used the 10 Ni-MH batteries, but I had one of the Ni-MH batteries go bad so when I pulled them out I decided to use 12 Ni-Cads sub C's, 6 in the boiler 6, in the firebox (I left out the fire box flicker) although I think I could have fiddled with it and left it in, I also switched the sound to Phoenix sound. I am not sure which sound I like best I like the "sound" of the Phoenix better BUT I like the "different sounds" and the programmability of the Sierra better...

MORE changes after 10 years...
The Climax is a great engine I converted my Climax to battery, R/C and sound 10 years ago, and after 10 years the batteries died just I removed the old batteries and replaced them with this 14.8 V Li-Ion pack in the boiler, after removing the old batteries I removed the smoke box front and inserted the new battery pack using wires long enough so it will be easy to replace it in the future...


To fix a problem the Climax has always had, unlike the prototype which was designed to run on horrible track, Bachmann's Climax requires near perfect track because they did not allow one of the trucks to rock side to side.....
The fix was very simple remove the front truck and cut off the 2 tabs on the frame, shim center mounting boss with washers to maintain proper engine height, reassemble and enjoy watching your Climax traverse almost any track just like the prototype....
The hardest part was removing the front truck and side-frames and brake hangers (2) screws are hidden behind the springs.





  
Climax #6, pulling 12 Bachmann cars including a track-cleaning car and a caboose with track contact wipers for caboose lights on it up a 20-25 foot long curving (5 foot radius) 3%+ grade without even working hard.





  
All the electronics are in the tender....
  

Climax Manual with many hints on last page