13
USRA 0-6-0 STEAM ENGINE
The special NiCad 7-cell 8.4v self-charging battery in this engine
improves performance at any speed. It ensures that power to the sound system will remain on
during directional changes, or when traveling over dirty track or switches.
The self-charging battery system is automatically turned on or off whenever track power
is turned on or off.
Track power
(when applied)
recharges the battery, which should last for up to five
years, and the special NiCad battery is a dry battery that should not leak or cause any damage to
your engine. However, even this special battery will eventually wear down and need to be
replaced. When you notice that your engine sounds seem distorted or garbled at low voltages
or become silent when power from the transformer is turned off, test the battery to determine
whether it should be recharged or replaced.
Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 12 volts for 15 minutes
If the garbled or distorted sounds are reduced, the battery charge has run down and
can be recharged. There are three options to recharge the battery. 1. Leave the engine in
neutral with track voltage at 12 volts for 6-7 hours so the battery can fully recharge
(if your engine has a smoke unit, be sure it is turned off)
. 2. Using M.T.H.’s battery charger
(item
#50-10005)
plug the charger into the battery port located on the bottom of the tender.
(see
figure 8)
Let it charge for 6-7 hours. 3. Remove the battery
(as shown in figure 7, below)
and
charge it in any standard slow charge battery recharger, following the recharger’s directions.
If the sounds are not improved at the end of the 15 minute test charge, the battery
must be replaced
(as shown in figure 7, below)
. Contact the M.T.H. Parts Department
(phone:
410-381-2580; e-mail: [email protected]; mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia
MD 21046-1532)
for a replacement battery. A standard 9v alkaline
battery can be substituted until your replacement arrives, but since alkaline batteries
cannot be recharged, it will eventually wear down. Do NOT use a 6-cell 7.2v battery like those
found in most convenience stores.
SELF CHARGING BATTERY BACK-UP
Figure 7- Replacing the Battery
RAILKING M.T.H. ELECTRIC TRAINS
by
Figure 8- Battery Port
Replaceable Battery
Pull Battery
Battery Port
