I would prefer getting a 10 or 12 dollar 9V battery, than spend $25 for a BCR. J and W currently out of stock. Would this battery do the job without frying my board?
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That will do nicely.
I like these. They are supposed to hold their charge longer so they don't have to be rotated to active tracks as often.
Bob, Harbor Freight has NiMH batteries, the most expensive is about $8, and has the same specs as MTH's. Just read the fine print on the packages, as they also have NiCads next to them. Look for the green batteries.
The ones on Amazon are the brand I use, I've been quite happy with them.
I have to advice caution when buying batteries at Harbor Freight, I've had several disappointments with their batteries.
lionelbob posted:I would prefer getting a 10 or 12 dollar 9V battery, than spend $25 for a BCR. J and W currently out of stock. Would this battery do the job without frying my board?
You do mean a 8.4v Nickel Metal Hydride not a 9v Alkaline. But you should consider in about five-years you will need to replace, etc. etc. etc.
So part of the equation is how long do you intend to keep it? Remember every time you go in to change a battery you have a chance to pinch a wire, etc.
Ron
I have had the MTH replacement 8.4 volt batteries go for about 6 years, however I had to recharge them once with a wall charger unit.
Although the BCR's might be better you need to remember that they too will need to be replaced one day.
Lee Fritz
As with all battery concerns, I recommend Duracell pre-charged batteries. http://www.amazon.com/DURACELL...attery/dp/B0002FQXJK
While any NiMH battery marked 'low self discharge' will probably do you fine, I've found the Duracell brand to be much more robust in the hundreds of AA rechargeables I've used. Rayovac is my second choice, but still comes in far below the Duracell. I've found that Energizer's rechargeables are rubbish.
JGL
I have heard the new re-cycled Energizer batteries in AA are pure garbage from a friend.
Lee Fritz
Recycled batteries? Not in rechargeable models it would seem. Also, I think they are blowing their horn a bit too loud for the small percentage of actual "recycling".
Introducing Energizer® EcoAdvanced®, the world's first AA battery made with 4% recycled batteries and our longest-lasting alkaline.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Recycled batteries? Not in rechargeable models it would seem. Also, I think they are blowing their horn a bit too loud for the small percentage of actual "recycling".
Introducing Energizer® EcoAdvanced®, the world's first AA battery made with 4% recycled batteries and our longest-lasting alkaline.
I would agree with you John not re-cycled batteries for a rechargeable.
Lee Fritz
gunrunnerjohn posted:The ones on Amazon are the brand I use, I've been quite happy with them.
I have to advice caution when buying batteries at Harbor Freight, I've had several disappointments with their batteries.
I have seen AA batteries from harbor Freight that were actually too short! They might have worked in battery boxes with coil springs, but in a CAB-1, they just fall out. Amazing!
BTW, Ken Flory of K&R lines in Southern California had a display of BCR's at the show last weekend.
The Chinese haven't mastered the conversion from the metric system to inches. 
Lee Fritz,
When the day comes that I have to replace a BCR in my P2 engines, I will let you know, 12 years and counting now, have not replaced one yet. Still working like new. When the battery in my P2 Pittsburgh Street Car requires replacing, a 8.4 BCR will go in her also. Got me hunch these BCR's seldom if ever really fail.
Has anybody on the OGR forum actually had a BCR fail? If so at how many year of usage.
PCRR/Dave
