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I have to replace the rechargeable batteries in my Legacy remote every 3 months or so.I keep it on the charge base when Im not running trains.Is that the reason?Should I only keep it on there twice a week or so?I have other types of rechargeable batteries that I keep on the charger and don't have a problem.Thanks,Nick 

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I have the #993 charging base, and after a trip to Lionel for the update, it's worked perfectly for charging the Lionel supplied batteries.  I have one set of batteries that are about 2 years old, still working fine.

 

I don't charge in the #990 command base as it gets them too hot.  The charging circuit was fixed, but just the internal circuitry in the base apparently is enough to get the remote hotter than I feel is good.

 

You need to get 2500mah batteries. If the charging cycle doesn't indicate that correct light sequence, you need a base charging repair. Turn off the charger and use an external charger.

 

I recently spoke with Lionel about battery selection for replacements. The answer that I received is not to concerned about the battery, but more with the 2500mah.  I found Eneloop X 2500mah on Amazon for a good price and a really cheap price for a 4 battery charger for them. Two weeks, running every day and they still have plenty of charge.

 

Oh, 3 weeks turnaround on the Legacy base charger update at this time.

I am new to Lionel and I hope I will not be disappointed with the BB Quality, I am hearing too many negative comments here

 

Costco has four AA Nimhs batteries and a universal charger (100v-240v) for around $14 or so. I have a few sets and they work great in my tools. I guess I'll use them with my Future Legacy unless they upgrade the charging circuit to a charger that senses the voltage peaks in the batteries and then turns off automatically and not overheat the batts.

Originally Posted by BigBoy4014:

I am new to Lionel and I hope I will not be disappointed with the BB Quality, I am hearing too many negative comments here

 

Costco has four AA Nimhs batteries and a universal charger (100v-240v) for around $14 or so. I have a few sets and they work great in my tools. I guess I'll use them with my Future Legacy unless they upgrade the charging circuit to a charger that senses the voltage peaks in the batteries and then turns off automatically and not overheat the batts.

BigBoy4014,

The charging issue with the Legacy base was only in the early production models. It has been resolved for sometime. Many of the early models were never returned for the free repair. It's hard to give it up. 

Don't fret about the batteries. Don't use the cheapies. The supplied batteries will last years. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles. The cheapies have fewer cycles than the better ones. That's why they cost less.

I previously mentioned that Lionel supplies 2500mah batteries with the Legacy sets. When they are replaced(eventually) the same capacity battery should be used for reliable operation.

Read the manual. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Talk to Lionel. Do something different and you will get varied and unexpected results.

I never use my Legacy base for charging.  I recharge all of my batteries with a smart charger - it is a worthwhile investment for anyone using rechargeables on more than a casual basis (I haven't bought alkaline AA or AAA batteries in nearly 10 years).

 

How you charge rechargeables has an enormous impact on the life of the battery.  I originally started with a "dumb" charger that came with my first set of rechargeables, but it wasn't too long before the batteries started to lose their ability to hold a good charge for any length of time.  Did some research looking for better batteries and stumbled on information on smart chargers and how the whole process works.

 

I ended up buying a La Crosse Technology BC1000 and with it, I was able to revive all but one of the rechargeables that had gone "dead" on me.  If I were in the market for another today, I'd probably get an Opus BT-C2000 (2nd gen.).  When they get to 3rd gen., I will probably buy one and add to my charging capacity.

 

If you want to learn more about smart chargers and why they are better than the cheap chargers that come with a lot of the commercial batteries, I suggest reading the reviews of the above chargers written by "NLee the Engineer" - you may have to dig a little bit to find the real "meat and potatoes" information.

 

I now buy Eneloop rechargeables exclusively, and they have performed well in my CAB-2 (and CAB-1), but again, I do not charge them by way of the Legacy base.

 

Andy

I was twisting. "The quality goes in before the name goes on"slogan
 
Originally Posted by Mill City:
Originally Posted by GNK:

Jon,

 

Which Tom Waits album or  song?  I think Shawn was referring to a company sales slogan and not lyrics, but maybe not.  Either would probably be appropriate. 

 

George

So was waits, in his own twisted way. Album-"Small Change." Cut-"Step right Up."

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGShQsxiy1c

 

Agree with Andy.

 

FYI; If you want to get a good "smart" charger, go to Tower Hobbies and into the RC car charger section and you will find tens of great chargers for any battery and any voltage. The smart charger can detect the voltage of any battery and charge it accordingly Without heating it up, enemy #1 for batts. All you have to do is tell it the type of battery it is: Nicad, Nimhs, LI-PO or LI-Poly and plug it in. It will stop charging and switch to trickle charge with no damage.

Actually, things have gotten a bit better. What bothers me is some of the recurrent issues that appear through production cycles. I believe one of these to be the cherry switches in the fast track switch line.I've returned a number of the switches.  I finally decided to repair them myself. Hopefully, if Lionel doesn't know about this it gets addressed.
 
Originally Posted by BigBoy4014:

I am new to Lionel and I hope I will not be disappointed with the BB Quality, I am hearing too many negative comments here

 

Costco has four AA Nimhs batteries and a universal charger (100v-240v) for around $14 or so. I have a few sets and they work great in my tools. I guess I'll use them with my Future Legacy unless they upgrade the charging circuit to a charger that senses the voltage peaks in the batteries and then turns off automatically and not overheat the batts.

 

Last edited by shawn

>>>The charging issue with the Legacy base was only in the early production models. It has been resolved for sometime. Many of the early models were never returned for the free repair. It's hard to give it up.<<

 

I have one of those early Legacy controllers that up until I upgraded to 5.1 didn't have a charging issue...

The problem began after the upgrade was installed and the problem is the controller itself, not the charging base. It drains batteries while it is turned off.

I changed the rechargable batteries with new rechargables and then finally with alkalines with the unit recharging circuit switched off. But the problem persists with or without the controller on the base. New alkilines won't last 3 weeks in the controller without being drained totally dead. 

I'm thinking the 5.1 upgrade created the problem.

Anyone else have this problem or have an idea how to fix it?

Joe 

Last edited by JC642
Originally Posted by JC642:

>>>The charging issue with the Legacy base was only in the early production models. It has been resolved for sometime. Many of the early models were never returned for the free repair. It's hard to give it up.<<

 

I have one of those early Legacy controllers that up until I upgraded to 5.1 didn't have a charging issue...

Joe 

Well in a couple decades when 5.1 is released we will let you know

While I don't have this issue, the current version is 1.52.
 
Maybe try that.  In theory as long as it's not being left on it shouldn't be going through batteries that quick.  I usually get about 4 weeks, longer depending on usage.
 
Maybe you got some old batteries?  Running with the back light on all the time?
 
Originally Posted by JC642:

>>>The charging issue with the Legacy base was only in the early production models. It has been resolved for sometime. Many of the early models were never returned for the free repair. It's hard to give it up.<<

 

I have one of those early Legacy controllers that up until I upgraded to 5.1 didn't have a charging issue...

The problem began after the upgrade was installed and the problem is the controller itself, not the charging base. It drains batteries while it is turned off.

I changed the rechargable batteries with new rechargables and then finally with alkalines with the unit recharging circuit switched off. But the problem persists with or without the controller on the base. New alkilines won't last 3 weeks in the controller without being drained totally dead. 

I'm thinking the 5.1 upgrade created the problem.

Anyone else have this problem or have an idea how to fix it?

Joe 

 

Maybe try that.  In theory as long as it's not being left on it shouldn't be going through batteries that quick.  I usually get about 4 weeks, longer depending on usage. 
Maybe you got some old batteries?  Running with the back light on all the time?
 
Marty, how does one keep the backlight on after the controller is turned off?
What I do know is at first I thought the original recharable batteries were going bad, but I had the same results when exchanged with a new set. Then with alkalines after the base charger was turned off. The draining problem is in the controller itself that continues to drain the batteries until they're dead after its  been shut off.
How does one test it to see if that is in fact the case? 
I may try upgrading to 5.2 to see if that resolves the problem.
Thanks for your help
oe

 

Had a similar problem batteries draining after upgrade. Turns out the remote would not turn off. Had to pull the batteries to get it to turn off. Don't know if the upgrade was the reason as it started acting up a few days after the upgrade. Had to send it to Lionel for repair.When it came back it works better than ever.

Originally Posted by Gweedo:

Had a similar problem batteries draining after upgrade. Turns out the remote would not turn off. Had to pull the batteries to get it to turn off. Don't know if the upgrade was the reason as it started acting up a few days after the upgrade. Had to send it to Lionel for repair.When it came back it works better than ever.

Thanks for your response..

Sounds like the exact same problem I currently have. The problem began right after I upgraded the system to 1.51

I'm wondering what Lionel tech's did to correct it?   Hopefully I could fix it myself.

Did they charge you for the repair?

Like to hear from Jon on this..

Joe

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