BCR for Lionel

To my limited knowledge:

Lionel does not use rechargables or Capacitors for power in it's engines. Thus no charging circuit exists in them.

For this reason alone no one has talked about a BCR for them.

I would just use an ordinary Rechargable battery and charge them externally as needed.

Nope   There isn't a charging circuit in Lionel

J and W sells a BCR along with a charging unit for Lionel. That is what I'm asking about.

But Dallee has made a rechargeable battery replacement for Lionel.  It's the 9VBRLT.

Is it worthwhile going to the trouble and expense involved in fitting a 'BCR' device to a Legacy/TMCC locomotive? 9V batteries are easy to find, and pretty inexpensive. Plus they normally last for years.

I have some of these, the wire just attaches to the roller pick-up.

"The 9vBRLT replaces the battery in most engines. This unit is intended for use with Lionel type systems, which have no charging circuit, and all others utilizing their system such as Atlas, K-Line, 3rd Rail, and Weaver...."

BCR Lionel

nothing else to buy with these, just attach the wire that is coming out of the bcr to the roller pick-up.

J and W Electronics are the folks that make the BCR, but the Lionel one is $50 as there is a charging circuit that has to be connected as well.

The primary reason I'd consider the BCR for Lionel is that alkaline batteries tend to leak when they go dead and sometimes make a real mess.  The rechargable NiCad or NiMh batteries don't leak nearly as badly, though they will also exhibit some leakage at times.

The owners manual for my Lionel AC6000 says "Use only alkaline batteries." Lionel must have a reason for saying that and doing otherwise could void the warranty.

I don't see the advantage of using anything but alkaline batteries. I put a piece of masking tape on the battery marked with the date I installed it. I regularly maintain my engines and the battery is part of the inspection. I throw them out after 1 year. Probably over kill, but better safe then sorry. I won't live long enough to see a savings if I bought a $50 replacement. The few dollars I would save using a rechargeable battery is not worth it to me for my $450 locomotive. I take the battery out if it goes back in the box for storage. If I could not afford a $3 battery once a year then I would not buy a $450 toy train.

Lionel never considered the BCR stuff when they wrote the manual, they were concerned that folks would use the cheap carbon-zinc batteries that are frequently shipped with cheap overseas products.

Some early Diesels and steam plus many others require shell removal to access battery.  Removing diesel shells is something to be avoided if possible. G

I see the latest manual for the Legacy GP35 dated 7/12 still says "Use only alkaline batteries." How long has BCR stuff been around? I am unfamiliar with BCR.

I still don't see the advantage of BCR at $50 each it would take more then 15 years to me to break even replacing them once a year and I would bet most people use there Alkaline batteries more then 1 year. The convenience of not changing batteries once a year is just not worth it to me. I suppose it is good for the environment though. 

I know many people like to tinker around with their trains and I do too, but I would rather buy a used locomotive in need of repair then to spend time adding a BCR system to a perfectly good locomotive. I am a retired/disabled industrial mechanic and subscribe to the theory "if it isn't broke, don't fix it"

Like everything in this hobby, to each his own. I am having fun playing with my toy trains my way and I would never try to tell someone else how to run his/her railroad.

For someone who does not have experience working with his/her hands this would be a case to consider a BCR system.

Good point GGG!

For someone who does not have experience working with his/her hands this would be a case to consider a BCR system.

"Early" TMCC/RS 2.5 is from 1995-1998.  The battery is just to carry over sounds when the track power is below 9 volts.  In a command environment that isn't too often.  The only time I've put a battery in a RS equipped loco was for test purposes.

And then there's people like me who runs TMCC engines in command, but still uses the battery.  Reason being that I can't stand hearing the oh-so-cheesy and totally unrealistic "Dispatch, we're calling it a day" radio chatter that's built-in to the command-mode shut down sequence.  I mean come on, radio chatter in a steam engine?  Gag.

The battery allows me to bypass that awful shutdown sequence by cutting power to the track, where the battery kicks in and then you get the more realistic blowdown sounds.

Gentlemen,

   Gunrunner is correct on this one, the only real reason to use a BCR in your Lionel

is that of the elimination of leaky older batteries, and setting up the BCR is going to be costly for your Lionel engines.  I am a big advocate of BCR technology however I own P2 type engines.  Further if you own any P1 engines, a BCR is almost a manditory for them.

PCRR/Dave

There must not be a recharging circuit because you cant recharge alkaline batteries. They would explode id too much of a charge was put into it.

Some early Diesels and steam plus many others require shell removal to access battery.  Removing diesel shells is something to be avoided if possible. G

I agree with g because of the in-and-out wear and tear of the screw attachment plastic sprue to the metal screw. over time the sprues fracture and/or wear out. The less the screws are taken on and off, the longer the shell/sprues last.

I run conventionally so IMHO the dalee lionel 9vblrt it worth it, esp with my extensive TMCC collection.

Thanks. Your comments have been a big help. I have to look into the Dalee unit. Since changing the battery means removing the shell on the tender and I run conventional. I want a battery substitute.

It's to bad you couldn't get BCR's years ago. They might have saved few of Lionel PW engines from getting corrosion from those #%*! batteries.

I have several Dallee BRCs in my Lionel Command Locomotives and they take a few minutes to install in most cases. They do cost $39.95 each but the postage at Dalee starts at $9.00 so if you can order more than one at a time if you intend to convert. J&W makes a circut for Lionel for $19.95 plus $24.95 for the BCR so the Dalee is a better deal. I have BCRs in all my MTH Proto 1&2 locomotives and they are money well spend and will save you in the long run replacing batteries that wont take a charge after a couple years not to mention having a proto 1 reprogramed.