RailPro > RailPro Software Updates
HC-2 and HC-2b revision 2.09 released
TwinStar:
--- Quote from: KPack on December 30, 2020, 11:26:47 AM ---When was the last time you turned the HC's on or charged them? I haven't had much time to run trains myself, but I turn them on occasionally and put the HC's on the chargers monthly.
You could just pop the back and replace the batteries yourself, if you're so inclined. Ring would disapprove for sure. But as long as they are replaced with the same size and type battery, I don't see how there could be any harm.
-Kevin
--- End quote ---
It's been several months and possibly more.
Aren't the batteries AA rechargeable? I haven't been inside the case in awhile.
KPack:
Yes, 4 AA rechargeable. There's a picture floating around here somewhere on this site of the inside of the controller. It was discussed whether larger capacity batteries could be used, but Ring was very against that idea (and highly discouraged opening the case altogether). Opening the case will basically void any warranty you might have. However, it's definitely doable. Lee installed neck straps on all his controllers, and that requires taking the case apart to install the eyelet. I've taken one of my controllers apart as well.
Two things to keep in mind. If you do replace the batteries, make sure to get ones that are the same MAh as the old. Second, there are four milled metal spacers that hold the boards in place inside the case. They are held in place by friction once the case is put together. They are kind of a pain to get lined up and keep them in place while the case goes back together. Once the screws are back in your are fine.
-Kevin
TwinStar:
Thanks Kevin. I've had them both apart (my two HC-2's) to install the lanyard rings but couldn't recall the number of batteries.
Both of my HC-2's are now alive. I did the long reset on the second one and it's back. I'm partitioning my Mac now and will spend this evening installing Win 10 and RPA and getting my HC's up to date.
KPack:
Nicely done Jacob. Working with Mac's can be a pain....all my buddies in dental school with Mac's had to partition their drives in order to run any of the dental software. Everything is Windows based. But at least Apple lets you partition and run Boot Camp. Otherwise you'd be really limited on what programs you have access to.
Good luck with the updating and let us know how everything performs when you run. I can't recall if you have keep-alives installed in your locos or not. Hopefully you do because it will make for a really nice run.
-Kevin
G8B4Life:
--- Quote from: KPack on December 30, 2020, 12:01:36 PM ---Yes, 4 AA rechargeable. There's a picture floating around here somewhere on this site of the inside of the controller.
--- End quote ---
Slight correction, 3 x AA batteries, not 4.
Funnily enough I was looking at those threads the other day (my HC-2 soon needs new batteries, they are 6 years or so years old and I won't be sending it back for the change out).
There was two threads about this. First thread (https://rpug.pdc.ca/index.php/topic,24.0.html) had pictures and some battery size discussion. Unfortunately the pictures of the battery compartment side of the circuit board were external links which the pics are now dead links. Second thread (https://rpug.pdc.ca/index.php/topic,170.0.html) no pics but more battery discussion.
The take from the threads is that Ring uses a variety of battery capacities, most likely what he gets the cheapest at a given time of purchase. Known capacities used are 2300 mAH, 2400 mAH and 2500 mAH across different brands of battery used. I don't see why larger capacities could not be used but I'm no expert on these things by all means.
As to voiding the warranty by opening it up and changing the batteries, that would be an interesting situation to watch. I don't know how things work in the US but here such a claim by Ring would be laughed out of the room by the consumer law authorities. "What, you can't change the batteries in your consumer device without sending it back?!!!"
- Tim
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