Many years ago I installed some "On Board Chargers" from Mark Schutzer in the U.S, comprising of 4 components mounted on a very small printed circuit board, installed onto the Wireless Board with 3 connections, details at Mark's Web site
Plugging the Throttle into the Cab Bus charges the batteries at 52 mAs with the system powered.
Using the Circuit Diagram in Mark's above Article.
As shown, the Input (12.0 Volts) for the LM317T, is taken from the Wireless Board Harness where the Red Wire connects to the 27K (273) SMD resistor.
If it looks too difficult to solder a wire to the 27K SMD resistor on the Wireless Board, connect the LM317's Input (thinner Red Wire in the photo), to the 12.0 Volt Input of the 5.0 Volt Regulator, on the Procab Circuit Board. Shown right with an alternative position of the LM317 Regulator.
A close up of the alternative position for the LM317 Regulator, with some heat shrink on the Capacitor lead going to the Negative Tab as it passes the Battery Positive Tab.
The LM317 Voltage Regulators used in Mark's Article, are smaller versions of the TO-220 LM317T unit.
Some years later I added the On Board Chargers to the rest of my Throttles using the smaller LM317DCYR Regulators using SMD 24 Ohm resistor, a Diode & Capacitor, all purchased from Element 14 here in Sydney, mounting them onto some Veroboard & glued it to the Throttle housing near the Wireless Board. I also used some LM317LZ Regulators.
Recently I was asked about installing a battery charging circuit into a Procab.
Only attempt the "installation" if you are confident with soldering. Do at your own risk.
Jaycar only has the TO-220 version of the LM317. While they have a SMD 1 Amp Diode, they don't have the surface mount 24 Ohm resistor or the Capacitor. Below are listed their Part Numbers for the 4 components I used for the LM317T Charger shown below:
LM317T - ZV1615,
IN4004 1 Amp Diode - ZR1004,
24 Ohm Resistor RR0533 &
.1 uF Capacitor - RC5360.
I soldered the 24 Ohm resistor between the Output & Adjust legs of the LM317T.
I then located the LM317 under the Red & Black wires from the Battery Compartment, shown right.
I soldered the IN4004 Diode from the LM317T's "Adjust" leg, with the "band" end (Cathode), connected to the Red wire from the Battery Compartment.
I soldered the Capacitor "across" the LM317's Input Pin & the Black Wire from the Battery Compartment, see below photos.
Making the LM317T Charger is much easier than assembling SMDs on a piece of Veroboard.
Cab06s have a Circuit Board that includes "spots" where you add the components
Mark Schutzer sent me Circuit Board with 8 X RJ12 Sockets that allows for up to 8 Throttles to be charged at once. Powered by a 12.0 Volt 1.0 amp Power Supply. The power to Throttles via the Pins 2 & 5 of the RJ12 Socket is disconnected after 15 hours. This Board allows charging without the DCC system being turned on.
Chargers can be added to Cab06s using SMD as per Mark's Cab06 Article. I have added the components to one of my Cab06s.
Using re-chargeable batteries, be mindful that batteries should be inspected for leakage etc and never install NON rechargeable batteries. I used to add a note in the Battery Compartment to "Rechargeable NiMH ONLY".
