Dreyfuss PS 2

Before you power it up you should open up the tender and replace the battery. It uses a "9v" NiCad battery which you can get at most hardware and home stores. You can get a BCR but if you want to run it ASAP get a battery.

Pete

Keep in mind the 9V battery MTH uses is actually a 8.4 V rechargeable. New battery ok! Service all lube points along the driving rods and all axle bearings. Don't forget the pickup rollers need a little care too. At this age the two traction tire might be dry rotted along with the speaker cone. All easy fixes. Servicing done? Fire it up. We will all be waiting for your report.

Thats why 9v was in quotes. Anymore the designation refers to the package vs the actual voltage given all the possible chemistries used today. Nothing unique about the NiCad battery MTH offers other than the price.

Pete

Have mine since it came out, not quite 20 years I think. You’re gonna love it.

The trick with most all of these engines is finding a set of cars that match. MTH must have used at least three different sets of grays over the years.

Pete

If you try to fire it without a new MTH Green battery, you blow the board.    The BCR is not a fix if you already blew the board.    I tell everyone to put in a new battery when they buy an older engine.  Some can not resist giving it a try and end up costing themselves a lot of money.

That early Dreyfuss being early PS2 did not have a good board.  Over the years I worked on many of them with bad boards.    I have one of my own I purchased years ago with a bad board.  I put a new board in back then and plan on converting it to PS3.

Thanks for the information and help.

I have not received the Dreyfuss from Potomac MD yet, it is on the way.  The seller indicated he had only tested it initially in 2000 when he purchased it from a local hobby shop.

I ordered a BCR from out east which is due to arrive with/about the same time as the engine.

Do I try it with BCR, first then, or, is there a way to get the "green" battery you have mentioned.

I have a friend in Des Moines, Donald Lewis, who has gone to MTH's repair school in the past.  He, too, indicated a new board may be a good solution.

Again, thank you.  What do you suggest now that I've filled in a particular or two.

The Lord be with you,

Bradley+

Hi PASTOR BRAD,

  If you put in the BCR just remember to allow the engine to sit on the powered tracks for about a minute to get a charge in it.  Then you can fire it up. 

  I too have this engine and like it a lot.  But as time has taken a toll on it I lost the sounds and have to have GGG from the forum take a look at it.  Hope all goes well with yours.  Enjoy!

Put a battery in it and check it out, it may not need a new board and starting it up with a good battery is the best way to find out.  Your friend may be able to get you the green MTH battery.

Reverend Bradley,

   I am big on BCR's have been using them in most of my P2 Engines for a very long time.  Never have had one go bad yet.  I would install one right away, before you even put the Dreyfuss on the tracks.  After installation of the BCR let the engine sit on the tracks with power running to the engine for about 5 minutes to assure no board damage will occur the very 1s time you start her up.  The old low grade boards in this 1st generation P2 had problems, in fact you might consider having MartyF replace it with a new P3 set up.  If it were mine, that is exactly what I would do.

Have fun with your new Dreyfuss!

PCRR/Dave

This MTH Rail King Dreyfus Hudson with early PS2 roams my railroad. The only trouble I have had with it was intermittent smoke.