Do you put the 9 volt battery on your(lionel,atlas) locomotives? Acid Be Careful !!!!!

[Anonymous]

Long ago I put a 9 volt battery in my lionel UP GP9. It was a pain to remove the shell and put the battery in. My layout was small and prone to dead spots so the batt was needed. I stored the engine for a while and then I remembered the Batt.. I had to get the engine out of the box and remove the shell and the Batt. I got to the engine in time and no acid had leaked out. The engine was safe. I no longer need to put these 9 volt batts in my engines because I run a constant 18 volts and all of my engines are TMCC. My layout has no dead spots now. My questions are as follows. 1.Do you have to put these Batteries in your engines? 2.Has anyone ever left the Battery in your engine stored and the Batt leaked acid?
One side note if you buy used engines be sure to check for an installed battery. One person I know bought a Lionel Dash 9 with CMD control. He bought the engine at the local GATS show. He bought the engine tested it out and then stored it. He did not know there was a battery installed. a year and a half later he brought the engine to my layout we ran it. I told him about the batteries and he wanted to check his engine. We removed the shell and found that the Batt had leaked acid. The holding bracket for the battery was corroded and discolored. He was mad at the seller because he did warn him about the installed batt. We cleaned the engine and removed all of the acid. The lesson is beware when you when you buy used and always assume there is a battery installed. On new engines there should not be a battery installed from the factory.

[nblum]

Nope, unnecessary, as you say if you run command mode. Locomotives are on a track with electricity and shouldn't need batteries :). Lionel's, Atlas's, K-Line's, Weaver's, 3rd Rail's don't need them if you run command mode. Waste of time and money, and with a small danger of leakage as you note.

[arnoldafl]

Yes batteries are probably not useful in Engines with TMCC but what about ones with Lionel Railsounds only? How long do these batterries last?

[fjerome]

my understanding is that these batteries are to keep sounds active through brief power interruptions. they have nothing to do with actual engine locomotion.

[eZAK]

Although not a big deal you will also loose shut down sounds w/o a batt.

Q; Do NiMH batteries leak?
I've never seen one leak.

[Roger Bielen]

Used one on my first TMCC, took it out, never installed them on other engines, don't miss 'em.

[nblum]

"will also loose shut down sounds w/o a batt."

This is only true if you turn off the track power before the shut down sounds are initiated. If you wait until the shut down sounds have played and then turn off the track power, no battery is needed.

[Anonymous]

The main problem as I see it is if you run in conventional and want your sounds to stay active when going below about 9 volts all the juice comes from the battery and they wear out fast. That is the 1st reason I switched to command afew years back. Now I am sold on it and I do not use a battery anymore. Even if you have a battery in when in command mode when the battery gets below about 8.5 volts the sound starts getting warbled or wierd. The battery shuts the sound off when track power is gone and it takes juice out of the battery.
Dave.

[wrmcclellan]

I do not use the batteries in TMCC engines anymore either. I tired of removing the body shells and possible risk of shell damage (which is very hard to repair if it happens) not to mention the acid leak risk.

BTW - you will only get the shutdown sounds without a battery if you do an Aux 5 shutdown before removing track power - otherwise the sounds stop abruptly when power is removed.

Regards,
Roy

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have a question that falls in line with Roy's last comment. 

Is there a way to use the AUX 5 Key and shut all your engines down at once on the layout so that you can hear the shutdown sequence?   

I was thinking that if you assigned all your engines to say, TR 5, and then did a TR 5, AUX 5, it would shut them all down at the same time, but then I started thinking this would disable the horns, bells, crewtalk (?) on those units not denoted as the lead engine in a lashup.   

[Roger Bielen]

Buckeye, I would think that you would have to start all engines as a TR5 lashup which also means any signal, i.e. speed, break, etc, would affect them all at the same time.  I usually shut my units down one at a time so that I'm sure they're in shutdown mode.  If in a hurry I use TR1, which is the address for my TPC400, killing all track power.

[wrmcclellan]

Buckeye,

I do not think it would work very well as you tend to answer on your own. I have not checked this in a while but the last time I had a lashup, I recall I was also able to control the loco via it's individual ENG ID. I could be wrong.

[traindaddy1]

Answer: NO.....I don't have any of that there new stuff. I'm still working with 'D' cells in my engines.  (Well, maybe...some day!) Thanks for the insight. I'll keep this in mind for future reference.

[Buckeye Riveter]

 I have not checked this in a while but the last time I had a lashup, I recall I was also able to control the loco via it's individual ENG ID. I could be wrong.

That's the way I remember it too.  I guess I will do some experimenting and find out. 

 

[ChiefEagles]

I have a question that falls in line with Roy's last comment. 

Is there a way to use the AUX 5 Key and shut all your engines down at once on the layout so that you can hear the shutdown sequence?   

I was thinking that if you assigned all your engines to say, TR 5, and then did a TR 5, AUX 5, it would shut them all down at the same time, but then I started thinking this would disable the horns, bells, crewtalk (?) on those units not denoted as the lead engine in a lashup.   

Lazy!!!

[Deputy]

I plan on removing all the 9-Volt Alkalines in my Lionel stuff and replacing them with Nmh. I may have to do some conversions for battery charger hookups on them...but no biggie.
For the MTH locos I will use the battery replacer gizmos.

Dep

[Buckeye Riveter]

I have a question that falls in line with Roy's last comment. 

Is there a way to use the AUX 5 Key and shut all your engines down at once on the layout so that you can hear the shutdown sequence?   

I was thinking that if you assigned all your engines to say, TR 5, and then did a TR 5, AUX 5, it would shut them all down at the same time, but then I started thinking this would disable the horns, bells, crewtalk (?) on those units not denoted as the lead engine in a lashup.   

Lazy!!![;)]

SMART

[mickey4479]

Thank you for the reminder.  I bought a TMCC Lionel PRR Mountain and the dealer installed a battery in it several years ago.  I bought 3 other Lionel TMCC locos and only installed one in a steam switcher.  I just removed them successfully.  No damage.  I have 2 MTH locos in storage that I plan to sell at a local train meet in Feb. So I might install them to make sure those MTH locos are in running condition and leave them in for the show so the lookers, hopefully buyers, can test them.  

[Andrew Falconer]

The LIONEL 1999 built SD70MAC has a problem. The battery is extremely difficult to install due the wire placement. It is also hard to get the shell back on the right way because of the tight fit. Radio Shack has some parts that will help.

Andrew

[Jumijo]

I leave the batteries out.

Jim 

[Deputy]

Quick question...do any Lionel systems have the capability to recharge the battery off track power? Just wondered if the newer ones might be equipped that way.

Dep

 

[cnw1995]

I have heard of capacitors that would substitute for batteries - they advertise in CTT - what is it called BCR BRC, something like that. But I know the Lionel version requires changes in the wiring or connecting harness.

This is a good reminder to check the 9 v. I have in my Railsounds tender. I don't think I've checked it since I put it in.

[Jumijo]

I have heard of capacitors that would substitute for batteries - they advertise in CTT - what is it called BCR BRC, something like that. But I know the Lionel version requires changes in the wiring or connecting harness.

This is a good reminder to check the 9 v. I have in my Railsounds tender. I don't think I've checked it since I put it in.

I was curious about this too, Doug. Why not just use one of those BCR thingies instead of a battery? Installing one in a Lionel requires wiring changes?!

I just don't install the batteries. I'm too forgetful, and the benefits just aren't worth it for me. I mean, I can live without the sound when the power is cut off. It doesn't bother me at all. 

Jim 

[Deputy]

I have heard of capacitors that would substitute for batteries - they advertise in CTT - what is it called BCR BRC, something like that. But I know the Lionel version requires changes in the wiring or connecting harness.

This is a good reminder to check the 9 v. I have in my Railsounds tender. I don't think I've checked it since I put it in.

DOH!!! I forgot about the battery replacement system!!!

http://www.jandwelectronics.com/

And yes, Lionel conversions require a wiring change. I suspect to allow the capacitor to charge up off the pickup if the item is so equipped. Thanks for that reminder Doug!!!

Dep

[Anonymous]

It seems to me that it's a very good idea to behave as if  any battery will leak under  certain circumstances. For that reason alone, the BCR's sound appealing. (Does anyone know for certain that there is nothing in a BCR that could possibly leak and do damage?)

I wouldn't  expect alkaline batteries to leak much  acid  however. This is not just being picky --  it makes a difference when it's necessary to clean up.

[Jumijo]

It seems to me that it's a very good idea to behave as if  any battery will leak under  certain circumstances. For that reason alone, the BCR's sound appealing. (Does anyone know for certain that there is nothing in a BCR that could possibly leak and do damage?)

I wouldn't  expect alkaline batteries to leak much  acid  however. This is not just being picky --  it makes a difference when it's necessary to clean up.

Even relatively new batteries can leak. My kids got some game this past Christmas and the batteries were leaking all over the place.

Jim 

[Deputy]

From the Ray-O-Vac site:

Preventing Battery Leakage

• Promptly remove dead or weak batteries from devices.
• Never mix old and new batteries in a device. Battery leakage may occur.
• Replace all batteries in a device at the same time.
• Never mix battery types in a device. Battery leakage may occur.
  Examples of battery types are alkaline, heavy duty, rechargeable, NiMH.
• Remove batteries from any device that will be stored for long periods of time.
• Do not leave battery powered devices switched "on" after the batteries are exhausted;
  battery leakage may occur.

The main culprit in Alkaline leakage seems to be Potassium Hydroxide. This is a corrosive base, much like lye. On EVERY battery maker website they tell you to REMOVE the batteries if you plan on storing the item for MONTHS. Gotta be a reason for that.

Dep

[Jumijo]

Sound advice. The only thing I leave batteries in is my flashlight.

I wonder where I put it . . .

Jim 

[Anonymous]

Did my remark about ALKALINE batteries whiz past everybody except Deputy?

They leak, but they don't leak acid. They leak an ALKALINE substance, which is equally nasty, but it's not ACID. You have to treat it differently than you would treat an acid. Keep it in mind when you call 911 or the Poison Control Center.

Sheesh!

[Anonymous]

I have heard of capacitors that would substitute for batteries - they advertise in CTT - what is it called BCR BRC, something like that. But I know the Lionel version requires changes in the wiring or connecting harness.

This is a good reminder to check the 9 v. I have in my Railsounds tender. I don't think I've checked it since I put it in.

DOH!!! I forgot about the battery replacement system!!!

http://www.jandwelectronics.com/

And yes, Lionel conversions require a wiring change. I suspect to allow the capacitor to charge up off the pickup if the item is so equipped. Thanks for that reminder Doug!!!

Dep

9vBRLT

These are capacitors that do not store power for very long, and they only require a short time to charge up...