Legacy not charging... Back to Lionel??

First I would check a couple of things before calling like is the charging switch on? What color lights did the base show? Are the batteries in the remote in correctly? Did the base go from slow alternating red lights, to fast, and then to green? Were the red lights alternating/flashing at all or were they both flashing at the same time? No lights would lead me to make sure the charging circuit under the base is switched on. If that is all okay then call Lionel and they will ask a few more questions. Here is to hoping that it is something simple.

The charger has been an ongoing issue, even when it works it tends to make the base and handheld overly warm due to the electronics for the base itself as well as the charger and batteries heating up all at the same time.

 I personally never even bothered with the base for charging, don't like the idea of leaving it on when I'm not using it not to mention the excess heat.

I shut off the charger with the switch on the base and put a piece of electrical tape over the contacts just to be on the safe side and charge the batteries in another charger I have for rechargable AA's or use disposables like you have done.

Good points all... I guess I just expect new things to work.

Nothing wrong with that, I was just throwing out my solution to a potential problem as opposed to sending it in. The lack of charging ability is not a problem for me. If your not happy, by all means have it fixed, just drop Lionel an email.

another good reason not to leave the legacy system on is, if you live in an area prone to lightning it could damage the system.

Jeff if both red lights are flashing quickly at the same time that indicates that one or more of the batteries are bad. I had the same thing happen to one set of my batteries. The base is probably good. I would get a hold of Lionel and see if they will send you a new set of batteries. For what its worth this is not uncommon for rechargeables that have been sitting for a while. I use my own rechargeable batteries and charger as it is way better and doesn't generate the heat on the remote.

Ron

Turn the charging unit off and either use a external charger or alkaline or lithium batteries. No need to send it back to Lionel because it was a flawed design to begin with and the fix may or may not work Over time. 

I use alkaline batteries that I buy in bulk and when on sale. I usually run almost everyday and the batteries last for weeks at a time. 

I sent Lionel Customer Service a note last night letting them know of my problem. This morning I received an email and they are sending me a new three pack of rechargeable batteries.

Thanks Lionel!

Jeff,

I had the same dual flashing light issue last year with our new Legacy system. Although, it took a few days for the issue to surface. 

The result was going back to Lionel for a repair and, like many suggested, once I checked to see that it was repaired, I turned off the charging circuit, covered the contacts with black tape and have used Energizer Lithium AA's since.

I found another set of rechargeable batteries and installed them. They appear to be charging properly. 

One thing not yet mentioned-using an abrasive of sorts, clean both ends of all three batteries.  It works on my TV/DVD/Surround Sound remotes.

So I haven't run my trains all summer and today I thought I would run them since it was raining.  However, when I powered on my Legacy system, the lights flashed a slow red and the remote would not charge or power on, even after an hour.  I have only been using Legacy for about a year now so I wouldn't have expected the batteries to go bad so quickly.  And yes, I made sure the charging switch under the base was in the On position and I even cleaned the contacts.

Should I just buy some new Lithium batteries?  How often should I have charged the batteries?

Rick

I run at a club a least once a week for over 5 hours at a time.  Home not so much.   I change batteries about a month and a half to two months.  if you run less you will get more life.

I take the batteries out of the remote when I leave it for long stretches and use them in other devices. Rechargeable batteries tend to loose there charge when left unused for long periods. When they go completely dead they flip polarity and this usually renders them useless. Put new batteries in the remote and all should be well.

Ron

I have never used the built in charger on the Legacy base for many of the issues noted. I turned off the charging circuit and put a piece of electrical tape over both the contacts on the remote and those on the base.

I do use rechargeable batteries but use an external charger.

One thing to note. Rechargeable NI-Cads and NIMH batteries are just slightly shorter than regular AA's. They may not always make good contact in the Legacy remote and this could lead to them not charging.