Could somebody give me a list of all the proto-sound one engines that will scramble if started up with a dead battery? I was going to start putting BCRs in a bunch of MTH engines, and I would like to do these ones first.
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I think all of them could have the issue.
There is a list and hopefully someone will put it up for you, however every Proto-1 engine will benefit from the BCR. It's the single best safety measure you can take to insure good operation.
All of the above, if it's a PS1, you must assume that it is in danger of scrambling with a dead battery.
ps1 used a 8.4 volt battery you can buy the bcr for around $25.00, and the ps2 battery
s are 2.4 volt battery and you can buy the bcr's for them also If remember right the bcr's for the 2.4 volt battery are a little cheaper!
Alan
P.S. here is the train sight that sell's the 2.4 volt version and they are a little cheaper from them, you can also buy them from, ebay
Alan
Though not foolproof, simply never start up a PS1 loco (that has not been used in a while) without simply letting it sit and charge for 5 minutes. Just make it part of your routine for an infrequently used loco. What's the hurry?
My understanding - and experience, actually - is that applying power to a PS1 with a dead battery harms nothing - indeed, you must do that to charge it - but attempting to run the dead-battery-loco is the culprit.
Just say no. And wait.
=====
PS1 locos do not require a battery to run. I have several that have no batteries at all - I took them out. They used to run just fine on our club layout; good train show layout units. My pair of GM&O PS1 GP38's - and a few others - are very happy with no batteries at all.
What isn't there can't hurt you.
You do lose sound when changing directions F-N-R.
Will all PS1's run without? I suppose, but I don't know that. I know that some do, for sure.
While not perhaps official, I found a list that looked very much like one I had seen before here.
On the MTH protosound2.com site, there is an old article (I don't know the path to get to it from the site, I found this with a search engine) that alludes to an "attached list", but I didn't see any link to a list.
-Dave
Thanks Dave! That's what I was looking for. I'll have to dig out my dad's Conrail GG1...
Good decision, Steven! I put BCR's in all my PS-1 locomotives and they all run well.
As D500 posted, PS-1 locomotives are not harmed or "scrambled" by putting them on the track and turning on power. That happens when power is interrupted and turned on again to start them moving if their batteries are low or dead.
Apply 10 volts for 1 minute and a locomotive with a BCR is ready to run.
If sounds stop, turn off voltage immediately and check things out.
Very early PS-1 and QSI boards did not need batteries to run, infact they had an on off switch for the battery since they did not have the automatic battery disconnect circuitry, Later PS-1 do need batteries to change state, though you might get one on occasion to change direction.
In general, the 1997 and above PS-1 were more immune to battery failures software issues. 1996 and earlier could have issues.
So besides the LIST engines I would do the pre 1997 models first.
BUT Remember you can scramble an engine with a BCR too. If you try to change direction before BCR is charged, it will act just like a low battery. Just enough voltage for the processor to try to store data, but not enough to complete it. SO you must wait 45sec for BCR to charge.
Otherwise D500 advice is good. The few minutes at high voltage will at least put a surface charge on a weak battery.
Never try to do programming with an unknown battery state. G
Gentlemen,
George GGG is absolutely correct, improper use of the BCR can also land the engine in trouble, always remember to let the P1 engine with the BCR charge up enough before moving her, let the P1 Engines sit at least a minute and if you have not used the engine in a very long time, let her sit 2 minutes to be absolutely safe. No need to damage a good old engine.
PCRR/Dave
