The lithium-ion battery system used has a capacity of 360 kWh and operates at 1,598 V.[2]
Operations
The BEC819 series trains are used on through services over the Fukuhoku Yutaka Line electrified at 20 kV 60 Hz AC and the non-electrified Chikuhō Main Line (known as the "Wakamatsu Line") between Orio and Wakamatsu.
Since late 2018/early 2019, they are also used on the non-electrified Kashii Line.[3][4][5]
These newer vehicles used on the Kashii Line belong to the "300" series (11 trainsets in total), while the slightly older ones used on the Wakamatsu Line are the "0" series (7 trainsets in total).
The pantograph lowered while at Wakamatsu Station on the non-electrified Wakamatsu Line in December 2016
Formations
As of 8 June 2019[update], the fleet consists of eighteen two-car sets formed as follows, with one motorised ("Mc") car and one non-powered trailer ("TC") car.[6][7]
Designation
Tc
Mc
Numbering
KuHa BEC818
KuMoHa BEC819
Weight (t)
35.5
36.6
Capacity (total/seated)
131/40
133/40
The KuMoHa BEC819 car has one single-arm pantograph.[7]
The KuHa BEC818 car has a toilet at the inner end.[7]
Initial details of the new train were formally announced by JR Kyushu on 29 January 2016.[8] A pre-series two-car train was delivered from Hitachi's factory in Yamaguchi Prefecture in April 2016.[9] This underwent testing before entering revenue-earning service on 19 October 2016.[10][8]
In May 2017, the BEC819 series was awarded the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award, presented annually by the Japan Railfan Club.[11]
Build histories
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(December 2019)
The individual build histories of the fleet are as follows.[6]
^ abJR九州 架線式蓄電池電車"DENCHA"今秋デビュー [JR Kyushu "DENCHA" battery train to debut this autumn]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
^ abJr電車編成表 2018冬 JR電車編成表 2018冬 [JR EMU Formations - Winter 2018] (in Japanese). Japan: Kotsu Shimbunsha. 15 November 2017. p. 221. ISBN978-4-330-84117-5.
^ abc BEC819系 交流架線式蓄電池電車 [819 series overhead-wire battery EMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 667. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. November 2016. pp. 70–71.
^ abcJR九州、819系「DENCHA」デビューへ エコでスマートな“蓄電池電車” [JR Kyushu to introduce 819 series "DENCHA" - an economical and smart battery train]. Tetsudo Shimbun (in Japanese). Japan. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
^819系が甲種輸送される [819 series delivered]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 12 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
^地球にやさしい“蓄電池電車”「DENCHA」運行開始 JR筑豊線 [Environmentally friendly "Dencha" battery train enters service on JR Chikuho Line]. Sankei West (in Japanese). Japan: The Sankei Shimbun & Sankei Digital. 19 October 2016. Archived from the original on 19 October 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2016.
Hatada, Kenji (December 2016). BEC819系 交流架線式蓄電池電車 [BEC819 series AC BEMU]. Japan Railfan Magazine (in Japanese). Vol. 56, no. 668. Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. pp. 60–65.