PS1 bcr/battery problem

Dick, I've had to remove the battery holder on some of my PS-2's because the BCR is just slightly larger than the 9Volt battery and wouldn't fit in the holder. You can tape the BCR down so it won't move.  Joe

What is strange is that there is no battery holder.  Just two wires and the battery clip sticking out in a small space between the front motor and the stack of railsounds cards.  I have tried every way I can with no luck.

Haven't had that exact issue (not familiar with engine - sorry!), but you are not alone. 

(though I am a little leary of the "never been run and never had the battery installed" description - the batteries all came installed from the factory, I am pretty sure - probably the previous owner removed it in fear of a leak)

I found out that the BCR was just a little too tall when I installed it in a PS1 subway set.  My solution for that was to crack open the BCR and shear down the wall a very small amount to make it fit better.  (luckily the components had a little breathing room, so this worked.)

As to no holder, when I opened up my WVP&P Shay to do the BCR install, the battery was just mounted to the speaker magnet with double sided tape.  I installed the BCR the same way, but gently removing the ~ 15 year old adhesive was a little bit of an adventure.

Good luck with this.

-Dave

Dick, on some of the GP-7's and GP-9's, the battery sets on its side under the plate for the electronics.

See page 17.

http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...ction/20dl19247i.pdf

Thanks, guys.  I'll try a few things before I go back to a battery.  BTW, I can tell it's never been run.  There is absolutely no wear showing anywhere from the rollers to the wheels to completely dry gears with no marks.  It's a neat engine but I don't want to mess with batteries.

Dick, In defense of the MTH PS-1 batteries, I have 2 of the Galloping Geese with them.

I changed the battery in one when it finally gave out and the other is still fine with the original battery. I do have a replacement on hand for the eventual day.

A BCR requires you power the track then wait for a minute to let the BCR charge each time. I find that minute becomes a long time.

Bottom line? The MTH batteries will last a decade easily if you keep a charge on them. And you can run immediately after they exit reset (6 seconds IIRC).

I don't find that to be much of a hassle.

I thought the PS1 engines came from the factory with a battery installed.

Maybe the factory left it out because it didn't fit

Dick, This sounds like a Lionel Engine with Railsounds.  A BCR won't work.  Are you sure this is MTH??  G

That is an instruction booklet for PS2- not PS! being discussed.

Pennsyk4, I couldn't find a picture of how the battery in the PS1 units is mounted. I posted the picture of the PS2 battery mounting just in case the battery on the PS1 units was mounted the same (between the frame and electronics).

As others have said, the engine should have come from the factory with the battery installed. At some point it has been removed.

Gerry,

My PS1 GP9's were similar.

Remember the battery was under the boards but wrapped with some of the wires.

A real nightmare to remove the battery

Hi Dick,

I think I have that same engine (PS1) if it is in the black widow scheme.  Oddly enough I have a BCR in it, but I am not at home to look at the engine.  Just wanted to say I love the engine sounds, particularly the flange squeal.  I think it could pull a concrete block!  Good find!

Stack 

It is a cool looking engine and weighs a lot.  I fiddled around and fiddled around and finally managed to tuck the BCR under the electronics board.  Put it on the track and fired it up and it works fine!  There was smoke fluid in the stacks and smoke poured out so much that I had to shut her down before the smoke alarms all went off.  It does go back and forth so all is well.  I can't believe it is mint but it is obvious there is absolutely no wear on the rollers, gears, etc.  Not even any oil on the gear train.  I almost hate to run it.  But I will!

Thanks, everyone.