New to PS2 - Battery help

  I don't think you'd screw up anything.

 I think Barry's book says to set it on powered track in neutral for 15 min and see if it takes a charge (start it up and cut power to see how long the sounds last). If it does it probably needs to be charged for about 12 hours (or just run it)? I finally bought the external charger for times like this.

Looks like it has 3 volt boards in it, hard to believe it's more than 5 years old.  I think I agree with Joe, stick it on the track for a time and see if it charges.

John,  It is 2013 so if this model is from 2006 it is about 7 years old:-)  Time flies when you play with toy trains.

 

The PS-2 3V system is more battery friendly.  MTH makes a charger that you can plug into the bottom of the tender to charge it.  Or you can leave it on the track to charge, though I would turn smoke off, and volume down.  Set voltage around 10 to 12 volts.

 

If this is truely at 0 volts, I think it will take longer to charge up.  If you are operating conventionally, the engine will start up but probably not come out of neutral when you try to change direction.

 

If you are running DCS it should run fine, just won't be able to store any changes on shut down, since the battery is dead.

 

I would recommend changing the battery to the new green version.  The 2.4V batteries had a life around 5-7 years.  G

The battery is a 2.4 volt NiCad. That indicates that it's a 3 volt board PS2 engine and that there's a charging jack iunder the tender.

 

I'd suggest charging the battery using the external, plug-in charger. Alternately, sit it on a powered track (12-16 volts). Either way, charge it overnight.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

 I'm having another moment, so patience.

 I just finished another upgrade. The remote shows the BATT at the end of the name. I figure this is correct as it's been on the table for a week and hasn't seen much of a charge.

 When the remote's batteries start going weak, is there a warning for that?? I can tell when the screen starts getting lighter, I just had a duh when I read Barry's book on remote codes and it says batt means low battery. In the engine only, right? No warning for the remote??

Joe,

In the engine only, right? No warning for the remote??

No, the BATT indication is for the remote, not the engine. There is no warning for the engine.

 

The soft key for battery status that reads out Low or Hi is actually for the state of the battery charging circuit. That relates to how hard that circuit is working.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

Thanks. I'm picking up a charger and if the battery won't hold a charge ill get a new battery.

 Now that makes sense. Trouble is I just put new ones in last week.

 Uh oh, I think this is eating batteries again. I'll have to check my settings and battery stash. Thanks.

Enginear Joe  -  there must be trouble, in your remote control.  The AAA batteries in mine are 6 yrs old and remote is just fine.

Larry

Tmack:

Good luck on that battery, one that's fully dead is more likely to be bad than a low one. Hopefully it will take and hold a charge again.

 

Larry, I end up replacing my remote batteries about once a year.

But I have it in a rather chilly basement in the winter and I use it just as much then as in summer, probably more.

Russell,

 

I figured as much, I have an RC plane I have been flying the last 7 years that has nicads,  I have replaced them several times over that time.  I probably will pick up a new battery at the same time.

GunnerJohn, - This was one of those purchase on faith.  either I am going to do really good on this one or be on the short side.  I got 4 matching streamline passenger cars with it, I just hope the PS2 board is fine.  The smoke wicking was 50% charred.  We'll see how she functions with a fresh battery.

 

Thanks everyone!  

It's easy to cook the smoke units by just forgetting to turn them off or keep them wet.  When I buy used stuff, about half the time I have to replace the smoke wick.

What is your preferred replacement wick material?

Well, I hesitate to say this here, I use Tiki torch wick material.  I've had good luck with it, and it's far cheaper than the stuff that Lionel and MTH sells in little hunks.

TMack,

   If you have to replace the battery, go with the BCR you will not regret it.

PCRR/Dave

Dave,

 

What is BCR?

 

This is the BCR, they come in both the 9V and the 3V flavors.

TMack,

   gunrunnerjohn has given you the technical info on the BCR, sorry I did not return to answer your post.  The BCR is a substitute for a battery, which is energized by track voltage as your engine sits on the trcks with voltage applied.  It charges up and initiates engine functions, it also lasts a very long time before going bad, one of mine is now over 4 years old.   Hope all this helps answer your question. 

The new MTH P3 engines work on a similar principle, and have no batteries in them at all.

PCRR/Dave

 

 

 What needs to be done to install a BCR2? Does the engine need reprogramming?

No reprogramming, just unplug the battery and install the BCR in it's place.

 

One thing you have to do is allow the BCR to charge about 30 seconds before you start running, especially with PS/1 locomotives.