Am curious about the proper use of a BCR in MTH engine with PS2. When the track is powered initially after placing an engine on the track does the track power 'load' the BCR before the engine is activated (started up) by the remote?
My understanding is that the BCR needs a period of time (30 seconds?) to charge up before safely starting the engine. Does this period of time start when the 'start-up' button is hit or when the track is powered up?
Thanks
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track powered up
Yes, the track powers it up and it takes a bit of time before things work.
As dkdkrd mentioned as soon as you put power to the track it takes a minute to totaly power up the BCR. I have them in all my ps2 engines, work great never a problem.
Jack
Place engine on track
Apply 10 volts for 1 minute. Sounds come on as BCR charges.
After 1 minute, the engine is ready to run. Turn track power off and on OR use DIRECTION control.
Place engine on track
Apply 10 volts for 1 minute. Sounds come on as BCR charges.
After 1 minute, the engine is ready to run. Turn track power off and on OR use DIRECTION control.
Once the sound comes up you can start the engine.
I have them in all my Proto 1 & 2 all work perfect. The BCR 2 will hold a charge for a few days after that it takes about 30 seconds before you hear the proto sound.
Thanks guys, wasn't sure about the time and the sequence. This one is PS2 so it remains dark and silent until I hit 'Start-Up' on the handheld....
Sounds shouldn't come up if there is a DCS watchdog signal on the track.
Sounds shouldn't come up if there is a DCS watchdog signal on the track.
What is a DCS watch dog signal? I have PS2 and the sounds come up after about 30s to a minute. The instruction manuals for the new PS3 engines, which come with built in BCRs, indicate that the train is ready to turn on when the souind comes up on the engine.
Some of you are describing how a BCR-equipped engine acts in conventional while others are describing operation with DCS, which is obviously confusing to some. You may want to be more specific to avoid confusion for beginners. 
Jim
Correct Jim, a DCS watchdog signal on the track clearly implies DCS operation. The engine should come up dark and quiet until you startup.
Obviously, for conventional operation, the sound some on right away for batteries and indeed after a charging interval for the BCR.
Clarification is always a good thing.
Perhaps I should have been more clear in my original post - I knew the BCR had to charge for a period of time but was asking if it charged before hitting 'start-up' or didn't activate until after hitting start-up.
Hopefully everyone else understands this now too - I'm good with it thanks!
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