I recently got a Lionel ZW-C with the matching meter set. While reading the instructions on the meter, it says it's powered by a rechargeable 9V battery so that you don't loose the readout as soon as you turn the track power off. Well, I got to thinking since I'm going to be getting or building BCRs for my fleet of MTH PS-1 locomotives, could I also put a BCR in the meter? Has anyone done this? Can anyone see a reason why it wouldn't work?
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Don't bother. It actually won't work as well. Also, there is no "memory" to preserve or keep from scrambling, all the battery does is power the display.
I wasn't worried about memory, just about putting something in there I don't have to worry about leaking when it gets old and doesn't hold a charge anymore. How does it not work as well, does the meter draw to much power for the BCR?
Yes, eight three-digit displays. This battery is charging any time more than 9 Volts is supplied from any of the 4 outputs. With a low battery while running only one channel, the readings from the amp/volt meter may be inaccurate, so having a larger battery(~150-160mah) vs. a BCR will carry you through the periods of low throttle settings much better.
Okay, thanks for the info.
A BCR has about a 1 Farad capacitance. Charged to 9V that's 40 Joules of energy. A 150 mA-Hr 9V battery holds 5000 Joules of energy. I have no idea what's needed to power your display but am simply observing the battery has some 100 times more stored energy than the BCR!
I replaced mine just recently. It had become unable to maintain the display just after shutdown. Just bought a replacement rechargeable 9v battery. I figure it's ok if it's still working well.
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