J & W BCR 2

The BCRs are not batteries but capacitors that discharge over time.  The downside of using them is if the engine has not had power on it after a couple of hours, you need to recharge it by waiting a minute for it to charge.  Kind of a hassle if you want to switch on power and immediately start running your trains.  The upside is they never go bad (supposedly).

PS1 and PS2 5 volts systems use the BCR 1 while PS2 3 volt systems use the BCR 2.  Make sure you get the correct one.  PS3 engines were built with a capacitor.

Most of my PS2 engines now have BCRs.

BCR a necessity for proto 1 to prevent chip from scrambling!

Lot of mis info.  There is no correlation that has been proved that a low battery will blow boards.  Even so that was only applicable for 5V boards.  The BCR2 is for PS-2 3V boards.

You can scramble a PS-1 engine with a BCR if you try to come out of reset before the BCR is fully charged.  It would act just like a low battery.  But again early PS-1 susceptible to this, the 97 and later not as much.

Use your BCR.  For 3 V boards when the BCR is not fully charged to run the engine in conventional, you will have reduced volume.  Once BCR charges up to about 2.4V (same as battery) volume will go back to normal.  It will hold charge for quite a while, but when first received it will take longer to reach full charge. G

The use of a BCR in an MTH engine can also reduce the annoying "clicks and clanks" that sometimes occurs when you first power up an engine that hasn't been run in a long time. I've replaced all my MTH PS1, PS2 and Lionel/K-Line batteries with various types of BCRs without any problem or burned-out electronics.

I just ordered 12 BCR 2 and 2 BCR 9v, from what I’ve been reading they are far better than the mth batteries and prevent the boards from going kablamo!!!!! My dad and I spent 2 days taking apart the locomotives to remove the batteries and I’ll tell you what a pain to access some of them were. He at one point was ready to throw an engine or two against the wall. I was biting my cheek trying not to laugh. But I’m glad I’m making the switch. 250 bucks well spent!!!!! Plus it supports small business

Anybody know what batteries to use in Lionel trains that have 9 volt connections? Someone said I could use a regular Duracell 9V?

@Kasey534 posted:

Anybody know what batteries to use in Lionel trains that have 9 volt connections? Someone said I could use a regular Duracell 9V?

GunnerJohn makes a special BCR for replacement of the alkaline battery in Lionel trains. I've used it in mine. It works great.

Would a regular Duracell be not wise to put in those locomotives? The late Marty Fitzhenry told me it would be fine to use.

@Kasey534 posted:

Would a regular Duracell be not wise to put in those locomotives? The late Marty Fitzhenry told me it would be fine to use.

They are fine to use but, you need to remember to check on them.  If your sound drops immediately or quickly after shutdown, you need to replace them.  Also, never put them in storage with a battery inside.

I would never use a regular alkaline Battery (Duracell included) as a permanent replacement.  I have used a regular 9 volt battery to test an engine but never left them in for an operating session. These type of batteries (alkaline) are not rechargeable and may cause damage to the charging circuit of your engine if used for prolonged amounts of time. Suitable NiMH 8.4 batteries can be found almost anywhere online these days and at most hardware stores.

The Lionel manual clearly states to insert and alkaline battery.  The circuit does not charge the battery.  Having said that, I never put batteries in my Lionel locomotives; they work fine without them and there is no point in risking a leaky battery.

Danr, Perhaps we were on different wave lengths. I should have mentioned that my statement is for MTH engines.

As for Lionel engines, I would say go a 9v Lithium battery (commonly used for smoke detectors). They have a very long life, and won't leak when they die. The downside is that they are a bit pricey.

@Danr posted:

The Lionel manual clearly states to insert and alkaline battery.  The circuit does not charge the battery.  Having said that, I never put batteries in my Lionel locomotives; they work fine without them and there is no point in risking a leaky battery.

Quite a number of Legacy steam has an issue where a power interruption causes the sound to cut out and frequently requires a power cycle to bring it back.  That's why I use batteries in my Lionel.  Well, I don't use batteries, I use something that will never leak and doesn't need replacement.   YLB - RailSounds Battery Replacement

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Quite a number of Legacy steam has an issue where a power interruption causes the sound to cut out and frequently requires a power cycle to bring it back.  That's why I use batteries in my Lionel.  Well, I don't use batteries, I use something that will never leak and doesn't need replacement.   YLB - RailSounds Battery Replacement

I don’t use batteries but, if I did, they would be the YLB.🍻

Alk Batteries for Lionel OK.  Rechargeable for MTH other then a test.  But as stated, need to watch those Alk batteries for leaking over time.  G