MTH battery questions

[stevejac]

I have two very early MTH protosound 2 DCS engines that have been sitting for several years, unused. I would like to start operating them.  I seem to recall something about MTH batteries and that if I simply turn on my transformer that the electronics will be destroyed. Have I got this straight, or was this just for some PS 1 engines? I've got several of those, too. Do they all need new batteries to be used?

[tomtaras]

 

do not operate or turn on those engines-either recharge the batteries or replace them otherwise you will burn out the computer boards-better safe then sorry

[willpick]

Your PS2 engines should operate ok once you charge the battery. Use the MTH charger if you have one and the engine has a charging connector(some early PS2's don't have one), or put them on a track and apply 12V to the track. The battery will charge in about 10-12 hours.

Your PS1 engines MUST have the battery charged in neutral before attempting to run them. Charge them the same as the PS2's- 10-12 hrs. I would buy a few nicad 9V just in case the original battery won't charge. Make sure to get the ones that say "8.4V" not "7.2V".

As an alternative, you can buy a "BCR" from J&W electronics or Dallee. these are a capactior device that charges up in about 60 seconds, then acts like a battery when power is removed. Advantage is that the PS1 electronics don't get scrambled by a low battery condition.

HTH--

[wrmcclellan]

Steve,

Welcome to the CTT Forum!

You are correct in stating that MTH PS1 locos have a serious issue with the batteries. There is some good info on MTH's web site re PS1's and batteries that can be helpful for you. The problem occurs when the battery falls below the ability to hold 8.4 volts and then the PS1 programmable chip gets scrambled. Then you have to obtain a reprogramming chip to straighten it out.

Here are some links (Very slow to load)

http://www.mth-railking.com/service/p1batt.asp

http://www.mth-railking.com/service/batery.asp 

Note that MTH now provides some recommendations on Radio Shack replacement batteries. Plase follow the directions to insulate metal cased batteries.

http://www.mth-railking.com/service/nicad.asp

Idealy, if you have a battery charger (it must be one rated to charge Ni-Cd/Ni-MH batteries like the Radio Shack 23-335A), remove the batteries and charge them separately. Measure the battery and insure that it has charged above 8.4 volts (not a great test as the real test is to put a load on the battery and see that the voltage holds up under load).

You can use your PS2 locos to charge the batteries. Put them on the track and turn up the power (If you have DCS, the DCS signal keeps the loco from starting up - if not, the loco will do its intial start up sequence). Do not operate the loco. Let the loco sit and charge the battery for a couple of hours. Then you can see if it will operate nomally. If it operates OK and when you are done it properly goes through its 5 - 8 second shutdown sequence after power is removed, the battery is probably OK. Regardless, you need to continue to charge the battery (overnight if possible) and then you need to establish a rotational sequence for your locos to keep them charged for best performance.

At some point it will be good for you to purchase replacement batteries or use one of the battery replacements by J and W Electronics.