Legacy remote eating rechargeable batteries

Im blowing through $10 in batteries too, I dont leave mine on the charger any more

I think there was a fix for the charging circuit on the Legacy. Seems like it over charges the batteries and hence they die quickly. Charge them a couple of times and then leave it off the charger till they need a full charge again till you find the fix for the charger in the base unit.

I turned off the base unit charger and never looked back. Mine are recharged in an EXTERNAL "smart charger". Works for me! 

Same issue. Got hot while charging, consumed batteries. Turned off the charging function and replaced with alkaline. That's it until it goes back for the fix.

I bot different rechargeable batteries and the work fine but I run my trains for a good 3 or 4 hours and set it in the base for 10 to 20 mins. and it is charged for next time then I shut off the base with a power strip so the remote is not getting hot and the batterers dot go bad from the heat. Try that . -matt

This was an issue when Legacy first arrived and I sent it back to Lionel when they had a recall.  They said it was fixed but still the system wasn't working right.  I just shut off the charging system and use regular copper topped batteries.  No problems.

I have the #993 charging base, and after a trip to Lionel for the update, it's worked perfectly for charging the Lionel supplied batteries.  I have one set of batteries that are about 2 years old, still working fine.

I don't charge in the #990 command base as it gets them too hot.  The charging circuit was fixed, but just the internal circuitry in the base apparently is enough to get the remote hotter than I feel is good.

You need to get 2500mah batteries. If the charging cycle doesn't indicate that correct light sequence, you need a base charging repair. Turn off the charger and use an external charger.

I recently spoke with Lionel about battery selection for replacements. The answer that I received is not to concerned about the battery, but more with the 2500mah.  I found Eneloop X 2500mah on Amazon for a good price and a really cheap price for a 4 battery charger for them. Two weeks, running every day and they still have plenty of charge.

Oh, 3 weeks turnaround on the Legacy base charger update at this time.

I just buy regular Duracell or the like batteries and forgot about the charger. You can always find batteries on sale. Once their dead just toss them and install new ones. They last quite awhile also. No need for rechargeable batteries. 

More great design work. Another fine product. Hopefully, they get a basic battery charging circuit right the second time. At least one that takes a range of batteries.

Until then-throw this in with my small pile of switches which are another fine product.

I have my Legacy remote on a one hour timer and charge it for the hour after running trains, after several years, so far so good.

Thanks guys.Not shocked that Lionel could not get a simple battery charger right.Some re chargeable batteries come with a free charger.Nick

Shawn,

"The quality goes in, before the name goes on".  Zenith Electronics, years ago.

George

I am new to Lionel and I hope I will not be disappointed with the BB Quality, I am hearing too many negative comments here

Costco has four AA Nimhs batteries and a universal charger (100v-240v) for around $14 or so. I have a few sets and they work great in my tools. I guess I'll use them with my Future Legacy unless they upgrade the charging circuit to a charger that senses the voltage peaks in the batteries and then turns off automatically and not overheat the batts.

"The name goes on, before the quality goes in." Tom Waits

BigBoy4014,

The charging issue with the Legacy base was only in the early production models. It has been resolved for sometime. Many of the early models were never returned for the free repair. It's hard to give it up. 

Don't fret about the batteries. Don't use the cheapies. The supplied batteries will last years. Rechargeable batteries have a limited number of charge cycles. The cheapies have fewer cycles than the better ones. That's why they cost less.

I previously mentioned that Lionel supplies 2500mah batteries with the Legacy sets. When they are replaced(eventually) the same capacity battery should be used for reliable operation.

Read the manual. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Talk to Lionel. Do something different and you will get varied and unexpected results.

I'm still using the Lionel supplied batteries in both of my CAB2's.

OK. Thx guys. Good to know The charging circuit has been fixed. I know enough about rechargeable batteries from my RC planes and cars days so it won't be a problem.

I never use my Legacy base for charging.  I recharge all of my batteries with a smart charger - it is a worthwhile investment for anyone using rechargeables on more than a casual basis (I haven't bought alkaline AA or AAA batteries in nearly 10 years).

How you charge rechargeables has an enormous impact on the life of the battery.  I originally started with a "dumb" charger that came with my first set of rechargeables, but it wasn't too long before the batteries started to lose their ability to hold a good charge for any length of time.  Did some research looking for better batteries and stumbled on information on smart chargers and how the whole process works.

I ended up buying a La Crosse Technology BC1000 and with it, I was able to revive all but one of the rechargeables that had gone "dead" on me.  If I were in the market for another today, I'd probably get an Opus BT-C2000 (2nd gen.).  When they get to 3rd gen., I will probably buy one and add to my charging capacity.

If you want to learn more about smart chargers and why they are better than the cheap chargers that come with a lot of the commercial batteries, I suggest reading the reviews of the above chargers written by "NLee the Engineer" - you may have to dig a little bit to find the real "meat and potatoes" information.

I now buy Eneloop rechargeables exclusively, and they have performed well in my CAB-2 (and CAB-1), but again, I do not charge them by way of the Legacy base.

Andy

Jon,

Which Tom Waits album or  song?  I think Shawn was referring to a company sales slogan and not lyrics, but maybe not.  Either would probably be appropriate. 

George

So was waits, in his own twisted way. Album-"Small Change." Cut-"Step right Up."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGShQsxiy1c

Jon,

Listened and enjoyed. 

Thanks,

George

Agree with Andy.

FYI; If you want to get a good "smart" charger, go to Tower Hobbies and into the RC car charger section and you will find tens of great chargers for any battery and any voltage. The smart charger can detect the voltage of any battery and charge it accordingly Without heating it up, enemy #1 for batts. All you have to do is tell it the type of battery it is: Nicad, Nimhs, LI-PO or LI-Poly and plug it in. It will stop charging and switch to trickle charge with no damage.

>>>The charging issue with the Legacy base was only in the early production models. It has been resolved for sometime. Many of the early models were never returned for the free repair. It's hard to give it up.<<

I have one of those early Legacy controllers that up until I upgraded to 5.1 didn't have a charging issue...

The problem began after the upgrade was installed and the problem is the controller itself, not the charging base. It drains batteries while it is turned off.

I changed the rechargable batteries with new rechargables and then finally with alkalines with the unit recharging circuit switched off. But the problem persists with or without the controller on the base. New alkilines won't last 3 weeks in the controller without being drained totally dead. 

I'm thinking the 5.1 upgrade created the problem.

Anyone else have this problem or have an idea how to fix it?

Joe 

Well in a couple decades when 5.1 is released we will let you know

I have an older #993 charging base, after a trip to Lionel, it charges fine.  I typically charge both of my CAB2's in the #993 as they get hot charging in the #990 command base.  It's charger works, but I've disabled it and taped the contacts.

5.2?  Are you a time traveler?

LOL, I meant 1.52

joe

The backlight being on all the time is obviously while the remote is on. mine usually times out after a minute or so. 

If the backlight remains on all the time, that would chew up batteries.

I agree. I put electrical tape over the contacts and charge the batteries as needed.

Had a similar problem batteries draining after upgrade. Turns out the remote would not turn off. Had to pull the batteries to get it to turn off. Don't know if the upgrade was the reason as it started acting up a few days after the upgrade. Had to send it to Lionel for repair.When it came back it works better than ever.

Thanks for your response..

Sounds like the exact same problem I currently have. The problem began right after I upgraded the system to 1.51

I'm wondering what Lionel tech's did to correct it?   Hopefully I could fix it myself.

Did they charge you for the repair?

Like to hear from Jon on this..

Joe