Simple- it means that your battery subsystem- charging and more importantly, then using of the battery or super capacitor to keep the processor running when power dropped is not working as intended.

When you perform the add engine process- the new updated changed address of the engine is changed only in RAM in the engine system. It then requires the working battery subsystem to keep that processor powered- that memory powered, and then write that new updated address as the final shutdown when power is dropped.

Again, this is a well known condition or state and applies to both PS2 and PS3 engines. This is because again, if either charging or the circuit used to actually provide that stored power to the processor and memory are damaged- then proper shutdown does not happen- and the engine reverts to the OLD ID and address from the storage when it boots up again when track power is applied.

So, most basic of basic checks- when you power up the engine and sounds start- and then you cut all power to the track- do the sounds continue playing all the way through shutdown- or do they cut off abruptly shortly after power is dropped? That is one indicator of the battery system working or not working.

Hi Vernon,

@Vernon Barry posted:

Simple- it means that your battery subsystem- charging and more importantly, then using of the battery or super capacitor to keep the processor running when power dropped is not working as intended.

When you perform the add engine process- the new updated changed address of the engine is changed only in RAM in the engine system. It then requires the working battery subsystem to keep that processor powered- that memory powered, and then write that new updated address as the final shutdown when power is dropped.

Again, this is a well known condition or state and applies to both PS2 and PS3 engines. This is because again, if either charging or the circuit used to actually provide that stored power to the processor and memory are damaged- then proper shutdown does not happen- and the engine reverts to the OLD ID and address from the storage when it boots up again when track power is applied.

So, most basic of basic checks- when you power up the engine and sounds start- and then you cut all power to the track- do the sounds continue playing all the way through shutdown- or do they cut off abruptly shortly after power is dropped? That is one indicator of the battery system working or not working.

Thank you for the detailed response.

I took your suggestion and went through the start up process to get the engine up and running. I cut the power to the track by turning off the transformer. The sounds abruptly stopped after 3 seconds, as I was timing it on my watch. It definitely was not the long shutdown sounds one gets when hitting the "shutdown" button on the remote.

So, based on your last paragraph in your response, it looks like the battery system may not be working properly, correct?

In one of my MTH "5 volt" PS-2 engines (a 20-3047 Niagara), the BCR did not retain enough of a charge to allow the engine to do a graceful shut-down.  I tried more than one BCR, same problem.  Replacing the BCR with a Tenergy battery solved the problem.

@CSX Jim posted:

Hi Vernon,

Thank you for the detailed response.

I took your suggestion and went through the start up process to get the engine up and running. I cut the power to the track by turning off the transformer. The sounds abruptly stopped after 3 seconds, as I was timing it on my watch. It definitely was not the long shutdown sounds one gets when hitting the "shutdown" button on the remote.

So, based on your last paragraph in your response, it looks like the battery system may not be working properly, correct?

Yes, given both the sounds cut out what might be early and the fact you are experiencing the symptoms of not storing the address into permanent memory and thus having to add the engine each DCS running session.

Also, the reset where the engine might have previously been part of a lashup and thus lights off- but then that should have been saved and reset- but boots back up with the old setting. Yet another symptom of- the settings from RAM and the active processor session are not then stored into permanent memory and used for the next operating session.

@CSX Jim posted:

I have an MTH Premier AC6000 (#20-2266-1) PS-2 with a 5 volt board, (catalogued in 2000 Vol. 3), that has the correct BCR in it.

Could be the charging circuit not fully charging up the BCR or just not waiting long enough for it to charge. Or could be a defective BCR (super capacitors can fail and while it kinda sorta works and provided some power- not enough power to complete the critical tasks.

You can use a meter set to DC voltage- and measure the 9V style battery terminals of the BCR while plugged in and monitor the voltage of the actual BCR in-situ. This might help you diagnose.

While typing this- near my keyboard is a super capacitor bank that came out of a customer's genuine BCR that somehow died. It's rare, but not impossible.

I have had similar problems with engines   The Tenergy battery fixes it 

Tenergy Premium 9V Batteries Rechargeable High Drain 250mAh NiMH 9V Square Battery for Smoke Alarm/Detector, 4 Pack

Vernon,

Again, good information you've supplied! I may try that test of the BCR with a DC meter.

Thanks again for all of the info.

Ben and 700E,

Thanks for the suggestions on using the Tenergy 9V NiMH rechargeable batteries. I believe I have one or two of those here. I'll charge them up and see if they will be the ticket for getting this engine to work properly.