Are Batteries Necessary?

Ray of sunshineOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I have been running mostly Lionel, and wonder if it is really necessary to install a battery in every (or any) engine.

My understanding was that the battery was used to provide power should an engine move over a switch or dead spot on the layout, and would not lose sound or control for that moment.

I have yet to use a battery and have about 40 engines of all sizes and shapes. Most all my engines are Legacy with the balance TMCC. I have not experienced any dead spots on my layout or on my club's layout. So no batteries any any of my engines.

Am I missing something without a battery?

RAY

3/26/223:17 PM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Actually, the ONLY function for the battery in a TMCC or Legacy locomotive is to keep the sound going. It has nothing to do with any other part of the operation, it only affects sound continuity.

The battery is typically useful for running conventional mode to avoid the sound cutting out for direction changes. Also, for steamers with some pickup configurations on the tender, the sound tends to cut out on switches at times, the battery will stop that from happening.

3/26/223:23 PM

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MadockawandoOGR Forum Member

@gunrunnerjohn posted:
Actually, the ONLY function for the battery in a TMCC or Legacy locomotive is to keep the sound going. It has nothing to do with any other part of the operation, it only affects sound continuity.
The battery is typically useful for running conventional mode to avoid the sound cutting out for direction changes. Also, for steamers with some pickup configurations on the tender, the sound tends to cut out on switches at times, the battery will stop that from happening.

None of my TMCC or Legacy locomotives have a battery. Not needed unless you are running them with strictly conventional power.

3/26/223:35 PM

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