I have Protosound 1 & 2 locomotives.
Any input would be appreciated.
Thank you, Chas 
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That's an ok replacement. Even better choice than the MTH battery.
i use to use that battery would get at Walmart they dont carry them anymore in my store cant find a source any more where you buy it
Will the MTH charger ever recharge the battery to it's fullest???
Replace the battery with a BCR and you'll never have to worry about batteries again.
That battery will work fine in the MTH locomotive.
PAUL ROMANO posted:Replace the battery with a BCR and you'll never have to worry about batteries again.
It just takes a few minutes longer to charge a same voltage battery with slightly more capacity (mah). It’s the voltage that matters for charging to full capacity and this replacement battery is the same chemistry and thus the same voltage.
MTH needs to redesign their charger, shouldn't take 12-14 hours to recharge a 120mAh battery. That's not slow charging, that's creepy-crawling charging, almost sneaking up on it charging 
I use a charger that charges my 2000mAh NiMh batteries in about 2 hours.
I'm not familar with the MTH charging, so excuse the question, but how is it done? Is the charging continuous when on the track or is there a separate charging device or circuit? If it's continuous, then that's the reason for the slow charging...to keep the heat down and not overcharge. If there is a circuit where the charging is turned off electronically, then a faster charge rate is possible.
Normal battery charging for NiCads and Nickel Metal Hydride batteries is about 1/10 the rated capacity of the battery. For instance, if your battery is rated at 175 mah, then a charger putting out 17.5 mah (or somewhere close to that figure) would be 1/10th, or thereabouts, the rated capacity. A charger putting out considerably more than this would be considered a "fast" charger, and a charger putting out considerably less than this would be a slow charger. Voltage-wise, for best results your charger needs to put out approximately 10% ~ 20% more than the voltage rating of the battery (although I've seen even higher outputs yet on some chargers).
Fast chargers can be nice for fast recharging, but the batteries can heat up more, and their useful life begins to deteriorate. Either have the charger on a timer, or don't forget to unplug the charger after the recommended charging time, or you will "cook" the batteries and shorten their lifespan. I've ruined perfectly good rechargeable batteries by forgetting to take them off the charger! 
Slow chargers take a lot of time to recharge obviously, but your batteries will last longer and they're not so bad about ruining the batteries if one forgets to unplug the charger after the recommended amount of charge time. Matter of fact, that's how trickle chargers work - they take a long time to recharge, and will keep your batteries topped off with virtually no affect on the batteries' life spans.
Normal charge rates (1/10 rated capacity) are kind of a middle-of-the-ground approach, balancing life span with acceptable recharge times. Trouble is, you can still "cook" your batteries with a normal charge rate if you leave it plug in too long.
I used to build and fly radio-controlled airplanes for over a decade, and rechargeable batteries were a big part of that hobby, so I learned a fair amount about rechargeable batteries during that time. 
Mixed Freight posted:.......I used to build and fly radio-controlled airplanes for over a decade, and rechargeable batteries were a big part of that hobby, so I learned a fair amount about rechargeable batteries during that time.
Nice write up!
I'm thinking the consequences of a bad battery in that hobby are probably a bit more extreme than in O Gauge trains....
-Dave
I have used the Tenergy low self discharge 8.4v NiMh batteries available on Amazon in over a 100 locos with no problems.
Bob Delbridge posted:MTH needs to redesign their charger, shouldn't take 12-14 hours to recharge a 120mAh battery. That's not slow charging, that's creepy-crawling charging, almost sneaking up on it charging
I use a charger that charges my 2000mAh NiMh batteries in about 2 hours.
A slow charge or a trickle charge will help in the longevity (long term life) of the battery. If it charges slow its easier on the battery. Charge it fast, you could either cook the battery or kill the battery sooner. Really its all personal preference.
I was also told that early proto 2 units that do NOT have a charging plug on the locomotives must take a battery and not a BCR. To have to locomotive power up and charge the BCR all at once is hard on the boards and could kill the boards.
