MTH Replacement Battery

I am a fan of the BCRs. Been using them for a few years now without any issues. Mine are the original BCRs, not the newer 3V version. You should be able to tell immediately by looking inside the unit. The older style looks like a traditional 9V batt; I believe the 3V battery is smaller and connects via a Molex-type plug, like a cordless phone batt.

 

I second your point about MTH and their rapid transit offerings. My hope is MTH would not only stick with them but bring out European versions as well, like the London Underground, for example.

 

Len,

 

Thanks for battery advice. I am really leaning towards the BCRs. I know that some of my engines' batteries would still be good after all these years sitting in their boxes, but for the sake of $25 battery replacement, why would I chance frying a $250 engine?

 

Mike

Mike,

 

I must say I never have experienced a problem with PS 2 boards being fried as a result of a dead battery. The original PS 1 boards were a different story. Letting the battery go dead in those often resulted in a trip into the shop to have the unit reprogrammed. Eventually, I found a kit that allowed me to fix the problem myself. My experience with dead batteries in PS 2 units, even the older higher voltage boards, was just poor sound until either the battery charged up or I replaced it.

 

I'm not suggesting you not deal with a dead battery, I just personally never ran into serious battery-related consequences in PS 2 units and never worry about it. The only reason I moved to BCRs was to avoid having to continue replacing batteries.

 

Len

I was replacing all my PS2 batteries any time I had the shell off or it was dead anyway. The BCR works great and is a plug & play way to go. I just found a way to do it myself for a fraction of the price. We are just not allowed to discuss that here any more.

Len, Laidoffsick,

 

Thanks again for your replies. I didn't know that the major dead battery issues concern PS1 only. It sounds like though, that the BCR batteries simplify things and eliminates many potential ones.

 

Mike

Well for me they eliminated a lot of frustration caused by weak or dead batteries.

Harbor Freight has a great NIMH 9v (8.4v) perfect for PS 1 and PS2 5 volt systems at $6.99.

Marty,

 

Thank you, doesn't sound bad at all.

 

Mike

As mentioned above, you can make your own BCR's if you know how or seek the help of someone that can. For me, I get a long time out of my 5 volt system batteries, some are even still original (the white ones). At that pace, that's possibly 10 years (possibly) at roughly less than 1/3rd the cost of the BCR. Nothing against the BCR though, they do work well.

 If you can see the recharging jack, it usually tells what's inside. The Five volt boards had a round recharge port. You could ask on the DCS forum to be sure.

I have an MTH engine that isn't being used (since I don't have a layout, not until I finish the basement!), it is a PS2 unit. Did those units all come with a rechargeable battery, or was it a standard battery? I will probably replace the battery with a BCR before I use it, but I am curious. 

All PS2 engines come with a rechargeable battery. There are no exception