Can battery backup be added to recent RailSounds tenders?

I believe "most" legacy locos still have the 9 volt battery capability.  The primary reason that there are those that don't, is due to  limited space availabilty as opposed to cost.

Generally the locos lacking the battery terminal are smaller locos with smaller tenders that are already  space compromised because of the dual speakers. The vast majority of TMCC steamers have only one speaker.

I would guess space would still be an issue for an aftermarket install as well.

I've often marveled at the omission of the battery in the conventional sets, since they suffer with the power interruptions and low voltage during normal operation.  This might be a question for the technical folks at Lionel, perhaps you can "graft" a battery onto the board in some manner.

If you look on the PCB, the PN indicates the battery support capability

691-RSL2 - battery support.

691-RSM1 - NO battery support.

Thanks Jon, answers the question.  I presume there are pads for the battery holder on the 691-RSL2 board?

Hello - I have purchased the Horseshoe set, and I also see this sound thing occurring. I have now seen at least two threads on this, and both seem to hit a dead end with the solution possibility of the battery. Has anyone solved this yet, and is it easy to do, and how?

Thanks - Tim

What is the part number of your PCB?  If it's the 691-RSM1, there is no battery possibility.

The earlier "Conventional" Railsounds tenders for the 4-4-2 starter sets had much better sounds and battery back up.  It used the same RS power Supply board as Command Raisounds uses today, and a RS board that was modular.  The code was not included for TMCC operation, but the conventional sounds were great.  The 2 board set plugged into a small mother board.

I remember those tenders going for high $$ at the time.  I replace many Signal Sounds or Train Sounds tender boards with them, because of the quality and continuity of sounds.

It does seem like a step backwards.  Even the diesels, every time you change direction the engine does a startup.   G

Hi - while I have been involved in electronics/telecommunications most of my life, I am a bit new at some of this - how do I find the PCB number? Is this a 'take apart the tender thing'?  Thanks - Tim

Yep, the part number is on the printed circuit board for the sound in the tender.  You should be able to just remove the shell and see the PCB.  The part number is on the component side of the board in the one I'm looking at, so it should be visible without further disassembly.

Yes its the 691-rsm1 - why in the world? I wish I had known all that, I would have bought the MTH Steam set instead.

Has anyone ever gotten anywhere with a possible 'unsatisfied customer' issue complaint since its a new set 2 weeks old?

A great question! And a honest but disappointing answer. I have a conventional Mogul and share the same frustration regarding sound dropping out. A shame on a $500 engine.

I have often wondered why Lionel did not at least put a capacitor or battery in there. The capacitor would probably take up less space and not need periodic replacement.

Gotta check my tender....

If you have the exact model number, we could check the Lionel parts list to see what it has.

I meant to say - I opened the tender up, and it is the 691-RSM1, so I assume I am sunk

Yep, no battery for that one.

Is it possible to order the sound board that has the Battery back up and do a transplant, or would that cost to much?

I'm sure it's possible.  The 691-RSM1-xxx boards all seem to list for $50, all the 601-RSL2-xxx boards list for $79.  All the RSL2 boards also say "must contact Lionel to order", that usually means you have to trade in the old one.

Hello, Where are you seeing a listing at? I googled 601-RSL2 in several ways and get nowhere.

Lionel Parts Search for 691-RSL1

I had a typo, it was 691-RSL2

I was curious about this issue as well.

I have the conventional Polar Express with steam whistle effect.

There is no back up battery which is rather silly in my opinion.

I have the tender apart and note a third PN on the underside of the PCB.

the number is   -   691-RSL1-BOO

I tried the Lionel site and cannot seem to find out if this board has battery back up capatility.

I called Lionel with all this information asking one question, "Is this board 9 volt battery upgradeable".  I advised that conversation had taken place on OGR with respect to this issue and some boards had battery capability and some did not.

Answer from the the Big L - no Tech available until possibly after 3 pm and suggest you go and ask at OGR.

So here I am..............any assistance most appreciated.

Thanks

Soo Line

Soo Line, the answer is no, that board does not have battery backup capability.

John, Those RS Lite boards you are showing are in Legacy engines.  Those are not conventional RS or TS boards.

Lionel really goofed on not adding the basic battery feature to there conventional engines with RS or TS.  The stop and start is horrible.  They should have just put in a Signal Sound board with bell and whistle/horn.  G

I agree that they should have had battery capability. 

This is one of the 691RSL1 boards I mentioned.

691RSL1001     RAILSOUNDS LITE / STEAM / CONVENTIONAL 0-8-0         $79.00

Some of them are command, but some of the same series are conventional.

Thanks John for your reply.

As GGG noted.........the start stop is very bad.

At $300 MSRP the value is not there.

Soo Line

Yep, I dislike the fact that the sounds just abruptly stop for a reversal.  It is very tempting to try to graft a supercap onto the power supply of one of those to power the sounds through the power interrupts.

The 'M' in the 691RSM1xxx part number is for "Mass Produced" for the lower end starter sets with "Railsounds RTR" on the box. No battery backup was included to keep the price of the sets down. These can be ordered directly off the parts page on the Lionel web site.

The 691RSL1xxx "Railsound Lite" boards with battery back up, are for the folks who don't mind spending a bit more, and want the more complete Railsounds experience without necessarily getting into TMCC/Legacy control. These are the ones you have to contact Lionel about to get a replacement.

You'd have to ask Lionel for their reasoning on not making these boards available to people who want to upgrade their starter sets.

I'm a little "late to the party" on this one, but has anyone added a backup battery to a Lionel Shifter?

Roger