PS2 battery problems

A battery doesn't prevent the engine from stopping if it loses track power, it only keeps continuity of the logic and sounds.

If you turn power off to the engine does it complete shutdown sounds.  If so the batteries are fine.

You may not have all the wheels providing power input and it stops when the good wheel loses continuity on a switch dead spot.  G

I didn't think the battery had anything to do with actually moving the engine.

GGG, correct me if I'm mistaken, but the battery will just maintain the state for brief power interruptions, insure continuity of the sounds, and store the parameters at shutdown.

For your symptoms, I'd check the spacing of the track pickups, that's usually the issue with switches.

You are correct, that is what I said.  G

Is there a long term issue with not running using the battery? For some reason, my engine can not produce sounds when the battery is in, I have removed the battery and everything works fine. The battery is over 7 years old and I think is shorted.

The engine is PS2 with the 2.4 volt battery, I run it using DCS only. Everything seems to work and as long as I keep it on the powered track during shutdown it remembers all changes made.

Kevin,  Yes a battery that shorts can cause the buck circuit not to produce sufficient voltage, and that causes the audio amp output to drop off.  Usually to about half volume, not off completely.  G

Yes GGG, that's what was happening, I could still hear it but it was faint. It started about a year ago. If I used the external charger the sound would be fine for a month or so. Now, not even that works.

So I tried removing the battery and the engine works great. Is it OK to run without the battery? Is there a long term problem? I know it won't work without a battery in conventional.  

Thank for your reply.

It won't hurt it running without a battery, but it won't save configuration changes if you just drop power and don't do a programmed shutdown.  When you hit a brief interruption in track power, say on a switch, it's likely to also have a problem.

I'd just treat it to a new $5 battery.