Date/Time: January 15, 2004 10:19 AM Posted By: Ron Stowell

Subject: BCR Battery Component Replacement

Here's a copy of a letter sent out by MTH regarding BCR "Battery Component Replacement". Check out the third and forth paragraphs in particular. I'd be interested in any comments or thoughts regarding this. "PS1 Battery Charging Jack The battery lead with charging jack is now in stock at MTH. Order part number BC-0000204 to obtain MTH's battery lead with charging jack designed for PS1 models. The harness comes with the battery snap, barrel connector to receive MTH battery charger plug, plastic mounting bracket, and 2 pin connector to connect the harness to the PS1 board. The harness eliminates the PS1 board from the circuit when the battery is being charged. The MSRP price for the harness is $8.00. Mounting screws are not supplied with the harness.

BCR Battery Alternative In response to the Jan 2004 OGR "Battery Alternative" article found on page 48 MTH reminds everyone that PS1 boards are NOT "irreparably damaged" due to a low battery and has contacted OGR about the statement to the contrary in the article. MTH has not formally tested the "Battery Component Replacement" or BCR offered by J&W Electronics and therefore cannot fully endorse it. However, our initial review indicates the product should work fine without harming the original Proto-Sound system now referred to as PS1 when used properly.

It is important to remember one can still scramble the PS1 software if the operator does not wait long enough for the BCR to fully charge. The capacitors in the BCR take time to charge up and go from 0 Volts to 10 volts in less than 1 minute with a minimum of 12 volts supplied to the track. If track power is interrupted when the BCR is not fully charged the PS1 locomotive may not leave neutral or worse, a software conflict or De-Select may result. When the BCR is charging and not yet fully charged, it is no different from a battery with a low charge. Users need to remember the BCR is not a battery and must be charged using at least 12 volts track power with each use. 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.