My new Lionel SD80Mac / Battery won't fit in engine

Is there a battery clip to place the battery?

yes, its  in the rear I can see it. Just can place the battery in it.

Its below that rear fan

I just watched your video, and it looks as though you tried about every angle available. I guess that this means that the shell will have to come off to install the battery?  Oops! 

 

I have one of these on order, so please let us know if you do manage to install it.

On with Lionel now they say wiggle it in... not happening. Some one else please confirm on there SD80MAC

 

They think it just a tight fit. I had my wife try, she said some up mess up

 

Lionel said it fits and its the wires just more them over. I said  you will see the issue with Motor city. They didn't believe me.

The photo in the manual appears to show a lower motor. Yours looks like it impedes the placement. You may have to take the shell off. Maybe a Lionel tech on the forum or at Lionel Service can help.

 

http://www.lionel.com/media/se...250LEGACYSD80MAC.pdf

Its really not such a big deal. The manual says slip it in thru the fan cover (once removed). Npw one will need to remove shell from the chassis and place it.

 

Its a error in production. Lionel Customer service was believing what I reported.

You don't even need the battery. I never put batteries in any of my TMCC or legacy engines. Unless your running with very long switches like the AtlasO 7.5 and above there is no need.

I have long switches... Anyway it took a few minutes to unscrew and pop shell off. Battery is in.

 

Its Just we pay a lot of money and it should be right out of the box.

 

I am a Big Lionel Fan and Love the Legacy System.

 

Sorry for being an alarmist.

Just received my SD80MAC and have the same problem. Battery won't go thru the opening. Lionel offer any suggestions?

I stopped putting in a battery after someone on the forum reported one leaking.

have not even noticed not having a battery.

 

Deal with 9 volts in my special effects company. I have around 80 9 volts in electronic gear. Never had an issue. aa and aaa just has an leaky issue.

 

Lionel didn't believe me.

 

I open the shell and installed

Steve

Interesting thing on these new engines locomotive Diagnostics

 

we have been talking about the new diagnostic system on the legacy forum for quite some time.

 

here are two threads;

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/d...ent/7906207213425485

 

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/d...ent/8187868157305807

Thanks

All,

Just tried this on a Conrail SD80MAC (like it matters, the road name that is!). You are correct the battery will not fit between the rear most tab and the motor/flywheel.  You have two choices; 1.) Pop the shell and install the battery (which I do not remcommend) or 2.) break the rear single tab off the opening. The hatch stays on fine, because there are two tabs closest to the cab and only a singular tab closest to the rear. Since the Radiator hatch sits down on the shell easily and there are no clearance issues (unlike the SD70ACE's) there is no problem with having this tab missing.

 

Best part is the tab is glued on from the underside of the shell and snaps off easily. Then you are able to get the battery inside the body and position it as required.

 

Not ideal, but it is fully functional.

 

I can only imagine the can of worms this post will open! Bottom line, it works, if breaking the tabs is not your forte', then pop the shell off or leave the battery out.

 

Thanks,

Mike

Lionel

Mike,

 

Thanks for the info on the rear hatch tab just being glued on.  I was thinking about cutting it off of my unit.  Will it snap off without cracking the outer case?  Or would it be safer to saw it off?

 

 

Honestly I tried the "force it in there" technique to see what the carnage would be and it snapped right out of the way! I think you can snap it without affecting anything external. If anyone has their SD80MAC tomorrow at the open house bring it by and I'll perform some "magic snapping" right before your eyes! LOL Mike

I guess it's a good thing this one isn't in the category where taking the shell off could void the warranty.  (though it sounds like it's probably nearly as complicated as the one where that was reported - see thread here)

 

Good luck to all.  I'm sure I'll just leave the battery out of the Christmas model I ordered.

 

-Dave

I was thinking the same thing Mike!

 

Run COMMAND.  No battery needed.

 

Fred

I prefer having the battery in place. Just my opinion. Never had a leak with 9 volt batteries. I use them in my pedals for guitar and no problem ever. I have had leaks with AA and AAA and D batteries. 

Guys, just go to Dallee electronics and get the 9 volt battery replacement  super capacitor kit, then you never have to worry about replacing batteries.  Lionel made an error in design.  Get the capacitors and put it in the shell 1 time and you never have to worry about it again.  I'd rather do that than break off parts of the body.

capacitors will not work in lionel engines as there is no way to charge them.

I thought that too, until I read the details on the Dallee website. They make a special version for Lionel locomotives that has extra wires to connect to track power for charging purposes. But I would imagine that fitting one will void your guarantee. I think that I would rather remove the shell and fit a normal 9v battery.

 But I would imagine that fitting one will void your guarantee.

Well if you have to remove the shell in the first place, I don't see the issue. Removal of shell is a void of warranty.

capacitors will not work in lionel engines as there is no way to charge them.

You didn't read the Dalee electronics website description of the 9V BRLT made specifically 4 lionel/k-line/atlas O engines!

 

http://www.dallee.com/9V%20Replacement.html

 

 

but the original post did not say anything about modifying or adding anything only putting in the capacitor.  I was responding to the fact that others read this forum and will believe you can add a capacitor without any modifications and be good to go.

 

now all who read this will know you can not just add a capacitor in a lionel engine without additional work.

I sent this thread on to Mike Reagan at Lionel....hopefully he will jump in or do another short video to help with this situation. 

If you look 20 hours back from your post, you'll see that Mike has already weighed in on the topic.

Jim. Mike=Mikado

My Bad...thanks for the correction...blew right over Mike's post.  Jim

Now if you just make about 100 more mistakes, you'll catch up with me.

I am going to work on that right now!!! Thanks for improving my outlook on life!!