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(Apology - the answer I seek is probably buried somewhere in the archives, but I searched and couldn't find it.)

I use BCRs for my PS1 engines.  However, I've seen that BCRs are available for later engines.  What are the benefits of using a BCR for PS2 and later engines?  Is there a certain point at which a BCR is unnecessary? 

I'm transitioning to DCS, but still run conventional on my club's layout, in case it makes a difference.  I have MTH engines of various vintages.

Hoping you guys can provide some definitive answers, so that I can stock up on BCRs at York if necessary.  Thanks in advance.  

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As far as I understand it, the main benefit of using a BCR (or similar product) is that for practical purposes they will never need to be replaced.  a secondary reason is  if you tend to leave your engines unpowered for long stretches of time as the original type battery will likely be completely discharged and need a while of charging before it has enough capacity to do it's job. The BCR, on the other hand, will be fully charged after only seconds.  

It's my understanding that the battery doesn't actually do anything in a command environment with constant power on the rails, and is only used in conventional to keep the sounds running through interruptions in power from direction changes and shutdown sounds when stopped.  

It's up to you to do the math if it is actually worth the investment in BCRs as opposed to occasionally replacing a battery.  It's also worth considering cheaper brands of NiMH batteries that can be had for $3-5 each and have the low self discharge characteristic, as these will retain a charge on the shelf for several years.  Just make sure you find an 8.4v type (common place today) and not a 7.2v one (rare to see today, but sometime sold cheap) 

Last edited by JohnGaltLine
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I don't routinely put supercaps in my 5V engines as I figure it's pretty likely that the $4 battery will outlast the locomotive.  I do put my supercap battery replacements in 3V engines, as they're easy to make and far cheaper than the BCR for 5V models.

 

How does one determine if an engine is 3v vs. 5v?

Mallard4468 posted:
gunrunnerjohn posted:

I don't routinely put supercaps in my 5V engines as I figure it's pretty likely that the $4 battery will outlast the locomotive.  I do put my supercap battery replacements in 3V engines, as they're easy to make and far cheaper than the BCR for 5V models.

 

How does one determine if an engine is 3v vs. 5v?

The 5 volt has a 9 volt battery and the 3 volt has a double AA battery pack either green or blue.

To add to my previous thoughts, there are pluses and minuses to the BCR and battery approach for the 5v ps2 design.

 Advantages of using the BCR are that it will likely never have to be replaced, and that brings with it avoiding having to open your engines again... though if simply removing the shell and putting it back on causes things to break it sounds like there's some serious design flaw in there.  

On the pluses for using a battery, some have reported issues with the charging circuit failing due to the repetitive high current draw of BCR-like devices.  I'm not especially concerned about that one, but it is a thing.  the main ones for me would be that a cheap NiMH rechargeable battery will last an easy 5 years and likely 10 or more years before needing to be replaced.  at about 1/7th the cost of a BCR the battery is a much more economical choice, as the 50+years it would take to pay back the cost difference in using a BCR is likely getting into the point where the super caps could start to fail simply from age.  

Over all, I'd say, if you don't care about what you're spending, go with the BCR.  if you would rather save the money for something that actually provides some practical benefit to your layout, go with $3 NiMH LSD batteries.  

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