Proto-Sound Battery Replacement Option

September 7, 2005 - The introduction of a replacement for the self-recharging 9 volt battery used in M.T.H. Proto-Sound equipped engines from J&W Electronics provides a unique solution for those who no longer wish to change their batteries every few years. The product, known as the BCR, utilizes a series of capacitors to store current that can continue to energize the Proto-Sound electronics when power from the track has been interrupted or shut down.

M.T.H. has formally tested the BCR and can confirm that the product should work fine without harming the original Proto-Sound system, commonly referred to as Ps1 when used properly. M.T.H. tests showed the BCR did not provide adequate power for Proto-Sound 2.0 equipped models which could cause operational problems. No harm to the Ps1 or Ps2 systems were observed during this limited one time test

When using the BCR in Ps1 locomotives, users are cautioned that improper operation of the locomotive can still scramble the Ps1 software if the operator fails to wait long enough for the BCR to fully charge before operating the engine. The capacitors in the BCR take approximately 1 minute to fully charge (when 12 volts or more power is supplied to the track). If track power is interrupted before the BCR is fully charged the Ps1 locomotive may not leave neutral or worse, a software conflict or De-Select may result. When the BCR is not yet fully charged, it's performance is no different from a battery with a low charge. Therefore, the operator must allow time for the BCR to fully charge each time track power is first applied to their PS1 Locomotive to prevent battery related problems from occurring.

Testing the BCR in a Ps2 locomotive that utilizes the 8.4 volt rechargeable battery showed the BCR did not have adequate power when the locomotive was operated conventionally at low track voltages of 9 - 11 volts. In this range the Ps2 system wants more power, lights dim at which time the battery (or BCR) may be required to supply power. The battery provides power to the Ps2 electronics during track power interruptions that occur on dirty sections of track, crossovers, switches, and also with conventional change of direction commands. Since the battery charging circuit requires 10 plus volts on the track, the BCR did not perform well in this low voltage operational scenario. Features like shut down sounds will not play if the BCR is not fully charged, directional changes may not occur consistently when commanded conventionally, and the engine may stall on crossovers or switches at these low operating voltages.

M.T.H. had similar concerns of adequate power for shutdown in command operation as well from our limited tests. However, M.T.H. has heard from customer field tests that the BCR battery replacement works OK in Ps2 models factory equipped with the 8.4 volt rechargeable battery when operating in command mode with the DCS system. These tests confirmed that operations like saving engine addresses were not compromised when a constant 18 volts were applied to the track and power shuts down on engines operating in command mode via the DCS shutdown button resulted in consistent "saves" of DCS setting changes.

In addition, M.T.H. RailKing One Gauge locomotives and O gauge locomotives with the latest Ps2 AC/DC system utilize a different, 2.4 volt, rechargeable battery pack. Since the BCR is designed to replace the rechargeable 8.4 volt battery, it is NOT a suitable replacement for locomotives equipped with 2.4 volt, rechargeable battery pack.

While M.T.H.'s limited informal tests appear to validate the BCR's ability to act as a substitute for the rechargeable battery in Ps1 locomotives there may be certain operational scenarios that do not work or produce battery related problems. Customers are still advised to proceed at their own risk when installing the BCR. Any liability associated with using the BCR will fall squarely on the shoulders of J&W Electronics as it is solely their product.