Legacy remote and battery charging

Is switch on lower left back corner of charging base in the correct position?? Is this a Legacy control?

I would suggest you call Lionel again and talk to them. It could be something simple like a bad battery or it might have to go in again. They have been really good everyone about fixing these. I am sure you are disappointed and I was too but once everything is working all will be right.

Should legacy charging base be left on 24/7 ??

I sent mine in several times before the charging circuit was right.  I charge everything on the #993 charger, the command base gets the CAB2 too hot for my liking, even though it does now charge correctly.

First step for this issue is replace the batteries with the proper recommend type, and if they don't charge, I'd send it back to Lionel.

There are so many issues related to the charging circuit that I think it is much better just using an external charger and not use the one in the Legacy base.

I been lucky (I guess) that after 2 attempts my charger works as expected, although the 990 heats up quite a bit more than the 993. When asked about that at th LUG meeting the difference was explained not to be the charger but the radio hardware.

I know if the charger fries again I will not bother sending it back, just not worth it. I use a lot of rechargeable batteries for my photo work so I always have enough to go around.

Lionel service has made no attempt to hide their dislike of the charger and would be quite happy to see it go away

I use duct tape to seal of contact from the base to remote. I use a separate battery charger to charge all batteries that plugs into the wall... one less worry...

Now where did I leave that remote ... argh...

I had the same problem with my #990 base. The #993 base would charge either of my CAB-2's just fine but I would get the same double red flash when placing either of them into the #990.  I finally sent it to Lionel and they repaired it with a 1 day turnaround. It has been working fine for over a month now. After I got it back I installed a small fan on the base. Both the base and controller stay just about as cool as the #993 charger now. Not sure the heat caused the failure but I do run my chargers 24/7.

I've thought more than once about installing a fan.  My only concern is right now Lionel is fixing any issues with the Legacy system on an extended warranty basis, I suspect if they found I was in there adding a fan that might change things.

Thank you for all the great comments.

I will contact Lionel.

Also, I did check the switch on the bottom. It was ok, but always good to check ! I'll see what they say tomorrow.

Hi,  I used to get the red flashing charging lights on my base, I always found the base & cab2 to be a little too warm for my liking.

I now use a small floor fan and made a housing for the base to sit on which is raised up allowing the air flow to go from the under the base and cools it down very nicely.

I have not had a red light heating problem since I started cooling the base down.

I've thought more than once about installing a fan.  My only concern is right now Lionel is fixing any issues with the Legacy system on an extended warranty basis, I suspect if they found I was in there adding a fan that might change things.

I took that into consideration so I attached the fan to the outside of the housing and I run it from its own power supply.  I used a fan from an old printer with an old DC charger - both of which were in the queue to be thrown out. I think it works quite well.  Its not stone cold but much cooler than it was without the fan.

That would work.  I think I may stick one on with DS sticky tape and see if that helps.

How about the USB Laptop Cooling Fan Units?

Just sit the Base on it and supply it the 5vdc...

Well, I have a couple of those, but they're kinda' bulky for one command base.

It could always help keep your drink cold too! LOL

I attached mine with 2 screws making sure they did not protrude past the outer shell. I am more comfortable now that it doesn't get so hot anymore because I leave it on 24/7. It may or may not prevent future problems but it has to be better for the circuitry.

I have been entertaining the idea of creating a custom cradle to set the base in with a small PC fan for sometime now.  Real life keeps getting in the way.