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Hello,

this is the first time this has happened to me with an MTH locomotive. I was running my csx switcher and it was running fine. I stopped for 10 minutes and turned it off. Then started it back up again and ran it for 30 seconds. Then I see smoke coming out of the top and the plastic is melting. I shut power down right away and grabbed it and ran it outside so it would burn my home down. I took it apart and the green plastic wrapped batteries have melted. I have no idea why this would happen. I want to put new batteries and plastic battery holder that screws to the top of the body back into it and hopefully replace the body. Can someone help me with were I could get a new battery, new body and battery holder? Please I have put some pictures to show

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Last edited by chefmarkt69
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I'd use a BCR or a BCR clone instead of a battery.  If it started up and actually ran (it'll do that under command control without a battery), the board may well be fine.

It looks like either that battery had a flaw or the charging circuit went nuts!  The good news is, I still have some of the power supply boards for the 3V PS/2 board sets if it's the charging circuit.

No way the PS-2 can wig out with the components involved with charging.  The .03 ohm resistor would open, the charging fet would open, and the 5V power supply only sources about 1 amp and starts to shut down after that.

Maybe the battery had an internal issue, or maybe the wires from battery shorted to each other or the chassis.  A battery can source a higher current though.

No these are not the type of batteries that can do that.  G

Glad you caught it, before you shut down the session! That woulda been a real problem.
As an aside, as a warning to everyone, FDNY Fire Inspectors have told me, repeatedly, that the most common cause of residential fires, eclipsing both candles and smoking, is the non USA manufactured power strip. This is an area where you don’t want to scrimp on safety. Spend the $80 or so for USA produced power strips, and surge protectors.

I'd use a BCR or a BCR clone instead of a battery.  If it started up and actually ran (it'll do that under command control without a battery), the board may well be fine.

It looks like either that battery had a flaw or the charging circuit went nuts!  The good news is, I still have some of the power supply boards for the 3V PS/2 board sets if it's the charging circuit.

I go along with John......skip the battery holder and just install the BCR or the BCR clone.

Well, finding a CSX shell may be a bit harder.

This K-Line MP15 sold for $21 because one of the wheels had zinc rot.  Finding something like that might work if you could retrofit the shell to yours.  With all the inexpensive K-Line MP15's around, I think that option is going to be the affordable one.

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Last edited by gunrunnerjohn
@chefmarkt69 posted:

The NS one that you showed me on Ebay will fit right on my locomotive.

That's certainly the painless way to at least cover it back up with a good shell.

@ironman1 posted:

Since you're really keen on a CSX replacement shell, do you have the skill to repair the damage?

I suspect he'd be working on it if he did.   In any case, the NS shell would be a step up, to go to CSX you'd just have to paint it.  After the repair on that CSX shell, it'll surely need to be repainted in any case.

Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

My suggestion to repair the shell certainly wouldn't consider a whole repaint. Only the most skilled could achieve a factory fresh finish, if that's your desire.

I, personally would remove the front stack, back up the damage on the inside with sheet plastic, fill the hole and melted section with modeling putty, & sand smooth. Re-glue the stack & feather in CSX grey paint. I have little doubt the paint will match perfectly & my answer would be some light weathering and call it a day.

Honestly, I'm not very critical but too each his own. Of course if the exact same shell was available at a reasonable price that is the easiest answer.

I may be missing something here, but has the OP verified that this loco is mechanically viable? Nice to talk about repainting and new shells, but does it run?

Well, he did say...

@chefmarkt69 posted:

When I took the locomotive apart and removed the fried battery. I place it on the track and started it up and it seemed fine. Is that something you should do to check it?

I only suggested repairing the shell since chefmarket69 did imply that the engine seemed mechanically functional, and he likes CSX, & 95% of the shell looks undamaged. The repair suggestion is a cost saving answer.

Another solution would be to make the repair as a paint patch & not worry about a perfect paint match,see attached image. Put the $300+ to another engine. If not fully functional, then maybe it's time to sell it off for parts & search for a suitable replacement. 

AC4400CW BNSF 5610 w Repair Patch

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  • AC4400CW BNSF 5610 w Repair Patch

Nice paint job Marty!

My point to the patch job is, no need to strip an other wise nice paint finish, find/purchase decals, purchase 3 CSX colors, prime, re-paint, clear coat the finished paint job for best decal application & final coat of clear (gloss, semi-gloss or flat) to seal the decals. Not impossible for many on this forum, not to mention the need for an airbrush.

If the patch job is done carefully, & if chefmarket69 doesn't own an airbrush, the repair could be painted in a suitable spray can primer from Home Depot, or a close match to the grey with some light weathering with pastels & a spray can clear coat to seal it.

To each his own.

chefmarket69,

Understandable that body repairs & painting aren't your thing. Considering the engine still runs, it looks like you got off easy. It's probably just a freak incident. I did see a nice NS shell for sale on a popular auction site, but since your interest is in CSX $45.00 might be a little high. If you should find a replacement you'd be happy with, I'd be willing to buy your damaged shell.

Good luck,

Joe

@chefmarkt69 posted:

Is it like a BCR?

Exactly like a BCR.  The BCR2 contains exactly what I pictured, a 5.4V Supercap and a connector.  The 9V BCR for 5V boards has multiple supercaps and Zener diodes.

@chefmarkt69 posted:

Also we’re can you purchase them? Also do I need different types for different MTH locomotives? Because after this I am going to replace the rest of mine! I don’t want my family and myself to be a statistic!!

Yes, you have to determine which board each has, rectangular charging port signifies 3V board and round charging port signifies the 5V board.

@chefmarkt69 posted:

Please see video of csx running

OK.........chef.......seems to run well enough ........sounds seem to be spot on..........address remembered on the devices !??!🤔    No BCR or battery ??? . 🤤

Hey GRJ , I don't get it ........why does it do all of this without a BCR or battery ?

Looking at the video which shows what looks like a 3 volt ps2 board without a battery makes me wonder if this is some kind of UFO / 3volt ps2 / ps3 

Thank you so much for the help, also it makes me smile and laugh. Which does take away my pain and sadness of the body being ruined. At most I could leave the body like this and have a good story for my friends! My kids got scared and ran into another room. I showed them what to do if this happens again. We always run our trains together as a dad and kids time!!

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