M.T.H. Premier J1e 4-6-4 HudsonSteam Locomotive Operator's manual - Self Charging Battery Backup

Premier J1e Hudson Steam Locomotive

The special NiCad 2.4v self-charging battery recharges continuously during train 

operation and  should last for up to five years.  The battery is a dry battery that should 

not leak or cause any damage to your engine.  Depending upon when your engine was 

built, it may need to be charged right out of the box. 

 If 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.

Test:  Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 10-12 volts (high enough 

for the lights toshine brightly and the engine to move steadily) for 15 minutes.

Recharge:  If the sounds are improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, the 

batteries charge has run down and can be recharged.  There are a number of ways you 

can do this: 

Leave the engine in neutral with track voltage at 10-12 volts for 6-7 hours so the 

batteries can fully recharge (if your engine has a smoke unit, be sure it is turned off).  

Use M.T.H.'s battery recharger (sold separately) that plugs into a wall outlet and a 

special port under the tender water hatch to recharge the batteries overnight without 

leaving it on the track. (See figure 15)

Replace:  If the sounds are not improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, it is 

time to replace the batteries. Available through M.T.H. Parts. (See figure 14)

DO NOT substitute alkaline batteries for these NiCad batteries. Using alkaline 

batteries in this system will result in damage to the PS 2.0 circuit board and/or the 

batteries.     

Self Charging Battery Backup

Figure 14

Figure 15

Battery Port

19

Battery Pack