Protosound 3 Steam Upgrade Kits arriving in March!

@Mikado posted:

For instance, the Protosound 3/2 Stacker 5V board can be used to replace any factory installed Protosound 2 5V circuit board and still retain all its original features. The same can be said for the Protosound 3/2 Stacker 3V board (with the exception of 3 locomotives). Attached below is the educational document we compiled which also includes the DCS Consumer Loader Instructions. Two documents that identify whether a model was delivered with Protosound 2-5 Volt or Protosound 2-3 Volt electronics.

And the identity of those "3 locomotives" is?

Thanks for providing the link to all the Chain files links at: Proto-Sound Stacker Chain Code Files Repository | MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS (mthtrains.com)

The O Gauge Steam with Smoke (Small)  doesn't seem to function.  Goes back to the Main MTH page at the time of this post.

Jim

@Jim Sandman posted:

Thanks for providing the link to all the Chain files links at: Proto-Sound Stacker Chain Code Files Repository | MTH ELECTRIC TRAINS (mthtrains.com)

The O Gauge Steam with Smoke (Small)  doesn't seem to function.  Goes back to the Main MTH page at the time of this post.

Jim

Looks like the link has an errant ">" in the URL

Working link -> https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...am_SmO_3528-CPF-.zip

@DashingDanLIRR posted:

Looks like the link has an errant ">" in the URL

Working link -> https://mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/stacker/%3EPS32_Steam_SmO_3528-CPF-.zip

Thanks

I think he means 2023.

John

John,

After all the work we put into those lists how much fun would it be to just tell you what 3 locomotives are not going to have all the original features? I will, however, I'll give you a hint; two appear on the PS2 5V & 3V list and another appears only on one list!

Happy Hunting!

@Mikado posted:

John,

After all the work we put into those lists how much fun would it be to just tell you what 3 locomotives are not going to have all the original features? I will, however, I'll give you a hint; two appear on the PS2 5V & 3V list and another appears only on one list!

Happy Hunting!

And here I thought you were trying to distribute information.

I have a question (and forgive me if it's covered by information in the Education Document):

Can a Proto 3/2 Stacker Board (either 5-volt or 3-volt) be used to replace a Proto 2 board in the lead unit of a master/slave diesel consist (such as an older Proto 2 F3 A-B-A set) and thereby preserve the master-slave operation of the lead and trailing A-units?

For example, I have an early Proto 2 Alco PA A-B-A set in which the board in the lead unit has been fried dead but the board in the trailing slave A-unit is still fully functional, and I'd like to know if a 3/2 Stacker Board of the appropriate voltage would allow me to replace the lead A-unit's board and restore full operation to the entire master-slave consist without having to install a new independently operating board in the trailing, slave A-unit.

If I currently have an engine  PS 2 with a 5 volt board will replacing it with the PS 3/2 5 volt stacker board effectively remedy the issue with the long-standing problems with ps 2 5 volt board reliability? Is anything else needed?

@Peter Frenzel 010119 posted:

If I currently have an engine  PS 2 with a 5 volt board will replacing it with the PS 3/2 5 volt stacker board effectively remedy the issue with the long-standing problems with ps 2 5 volt board reliability? Is anything else needed?

Yes, the 3/2 board with 5V connectors is designed to replace dead/aging 5V PS2 systems. You need to replace the speaker, and the heat sink. In the helpful hints and tips section, you can find the part numbers for the speaker, & the heat sink needed for the swap. The helpful hints and tips section is chock full of good information now specifically dedicated to the DIY crowd. ….it’s good reading, and gives a lot of information & how to’s…..

Pat

@Ready-to-Run Mark posted:

I have a question (and forgive me if it's covered by information in the Education Document):

Can a Proto 3/2 Stacker Board (either 5-volt or 3-volt) be used to replace a Proto 2 board in the lead unit of a master/slave diesel consist (such as an older Proto 2 F3 A-B-A set) and thereby preserve the master-slave operation of the lead and trailing A-units?

For example, I have a early Proto 2 Alco PA A-B-A set in which the board in the lead unit has been fried dead but the board in the trailing slave A-unit is still fully functional, and I'd like to know if a 3/2 Stacker Board of the appropriate voltage would allow me to replace the lead A-unit's board and restore full operation to the entire master-slave consist without having to install a new independently operating board in the trailing, slave A-unit.

Yes, just follow the rules, use the right speaker (4 Ohm for PS3- AKA PS3/2 stacker).

I know, I have done this very retrofit. You also can connect the motor signal for the PS2 analog slave board direct on the PS3/2 stacker board.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Yes, just follow the rules, use the right speaker (4 Ohm for PS3- AKA PS3/2 stacker).

I know, I have done this very retrofit. You also can connect the motor signal for the PS2 analog slave board direct on the PS3/2 stacker board.

Thank you Vernon, I was just getting ready to answer that fella’s question…..and to add to Vernon’s reply, anybody interested in doing these swaps as a DIY project, I’ll encourage them to check out the helpful hints & tips section on the web site. Mike has put together a very detailed collection of documents that addresses a lot of these types of questions, as well as “how to” information that simplifies the process,……again, thanks Vernon!..

Pat

It appears that The 4 OHM speaker is out of stock on the MTH website. Can anyone advise where I can find a suitable substitute?

@Peter Frenzel 010119 posted:

It appears that The 40 OHM speaker is out of stock on the MTH website. Can anyone advise where I can find a suitable substitute?

Google 4 ohm 2 inch speaker. Also common size in metric is 50mm.

Thank you Mike.......this is the best news I have heard since the MTH shut-down thing. PCB's being available again for the PS2- 5V problem child.

Now all we need is replacement PS3 boards, and everything in the universe will be at peace.

Peter (Buco Australia)

@Peter Frenzel 010119 posted:

It appears that The 40 OHM speaker is out of stock on the MTH website. Can anyone advise where I can find a suitable substitute?

If you do a search for speakers  on the service parts section, I find this model fairly quickly, it’s 4 ohm, 4 watt, 50 mm. ………it shows available ….

Pat

So if a stacker board costs 180.00 and a PS-3 kit is 200.00........Is this a no brainer and you should just upgrade to p-3? I assume you get a new wireless drawbar and speaker and everything else you would need in the kit. Right? Pardon any ignorance on my part as I have never did a upgrade. If I bought the kit and didnt want to do the upgrade, who would do it for me and how much?

@jini5 posted:

So if a stacker board costs 180.00 and a PS-3 kit is 200.00........Is this a no brainer and you should just upgrade to p-3? I assume you get a new wireless drawbar and speaker and everything else you would need in the kit. Right? Pardon any ignorance on my part as I have never did an upgrade. If I bought the kit and didnt want to do the upgrade, who would do it for me and how much?

You do not get a wireless drawbar in the PS3 kit. The wireless drawbar feature is only on late PS2 & PS3 production models. The frames of the late PS2 & all PS3 steam locomotives & its tender are specific for wireless drawbar. The upgrade kit is s designed to be used in any steam locomotive, & any other make of locomotive. If the kit came with a specific wireless drawbar, it would be a near impossibility for many installs, especially as a DIY project. Also, the PS3/2 board is designed as a direct replacement part for locomotives with a dead or aging PS2 board. In many circumstances, none of the original wiring has to even be touched to do the swap, …….in the case of a PS3 kit swap, it’s a total gut out, and you are starting from scratch in most cases,…..The cost difference does have its advantages,…..hope that helps,…

Pat

@jini5 posted:

So if a stacker board costs 180.00 and a PS-3 kit is 200.00........Is this a no brainer and you should just upgrade to p-3? I assume you get a new wireless drawbar and speaker and everything else you would need in the kit. Right? Pardon any ignorance on my part as I have never did a upgrade. If I bought the kit and didnt want to do the upgrade, who would do it for me and how much?

The PS32 stacker board is a PS3 diesel board with an adapter ("stacker") on top to make the board compatible with a PS2 5V or 3V wire harness. You can load PS3 sound files in a PS32 board no problem, because it's a PS3 board. Just install a PS32 board in a locomotive with a dead PS2 5V or 3V board, boom, instant PS3 upgraded.

The board in the PS3 steam upgrade kit is a PS32 stacker with 3V connectors. Factory PS3 steam locomotives use a completely different two board (boiler and tender board) setup.

Also if you used a PS3 kit to replace a PS2 board set up, all the incandescent bulbs would need to be changed out to LED's.

Mike, are you going to offer a programming fee to load all files there?

Man you guys make a simple board availability announcement difficult and confusing.  Nothing is new here.  Same board and configuration we have been using for years.  PS-32 boards replace PS-2 3V and 5V boards.  PS-3 steam kits are not real PS-3 steam.  They are PS-32 kits with bulbs.  Only PS-3 diesel is a real PS-3 kit like production.

SF and Chain file are the same too.

Since the new launch of parts site, you can order boards loaded.  Or you load them yourself like techs have been doing for a decade now.  :-)  G

John,  I am guessing AEM-7, ALP-44 Bi-directional ditch light.  UP9000 Six chuff.  Maybe G gauge Triplex whistle smoke.   G

I've been patiently waiting for Diesel Upgrade kits....anyone have a "word" on those?

@Chuck Sartor posted:

Also if you used a PS3 kit to replace a PS2 board set up, all the incandescent bulbs would need to be changed out to LED's.

Nope. I addressed this with the post above yours: Protosound 3 Steam Upgrade Kits arriving in March! | O Gauge Railroading On Line Forum (ogaugerr.com)

The board in the PS3 upgrade kit is a PS32 board, which is a PS3 diesel board with a header board to run incandescent bulbs.

Here's the board used in a PS3 steam upgrade kit, a PS32 board, installed in my ATSF Texas project:

Here is a factory PS3 steam tender board, installed in my SP GS4 project:

See the difference?

I have a couple of PS3 diesels that I was able to acquire at a good price because they have cosmetic damage.  I also have a couple of 5V PS2 steam engines that have bad boards.  Question: If I acquire AE1005V36 top stacker boards, will this allow me to use the PS3 boards to repair my 5V PS2 engines?

Thanks.

@700E posted:

I have a couple of PS3 diesels that I was able to acquire at a good price because they have cosmetic damage.  I also have a couple of 5V PS2 steam engines that have bad boards.  Question: If I acquire AE1005V36 top stacker boards, will this allow me to use the PS3 boards to repair my 5V PS2 engines?

Thanks.

No, the PS3 bottom board to a stacker is different than a generic PS3 diesel board, the headers are basically inverted

The bottom portion of a stacker board is AE1000035, if you take a look at that part in partsandsales you'll see the difference on the headers:

Generic PS3 diesel board:

Bottom part of a stacker board:

now whether you could unsolder the old headers and solder new ones on I wouldn't know about that nor suggest in attempting that

Chuck,

yes, we offer programming for $25.00. The part number is PROGRAMMING FEE. Only add 1 programming fee to the cart at a time. Theres a reason for this process.

once you have added the board you want, and the proframming fee, go to “checkout” or “view cart” screen. There will be a dialog box to enter an MTH product number (and only a valid MTH product number!). Then check out accordingly. This will tell us what chain code file & sound file to program for you.

you can only do 1 programming fee/board order at a time, otherwise it will just increase the number of programming fees for the same item number you enter.

Thank you,

Mike

MTH Parts & Sales LLC

Lou 1985, OK yes you are correct. I was thinking you can't transfer a factory installed PS3 board for a replacement PS2 board.

@Chuck Sartor posted:

Lou 1985, OK yes you are correct. I was thinking you can't transfer a factory installed PS3 board for a replacement PS2 board.

Yup. A factory PS3 diesel board or factory PS3 steam boiler & tender boards require a gut and replacement of all lighting and wiring in a PS2 locomotive. The PS32 board is a drop-in replacement in a PS2 steam or diesel locomotive and retains all factory wiring and lighting.

Forgot to say thanks to Mike for the comprehensive list of PS2 3V and PS2 5V models produced over the years.

This makes purchasing a second-hand PS2 loco on the open market sooo much easier for me here in Australia.....no more worrying if it is a "problem child" version, with the 5V board, that may become a "shelf Queen" after getting it all the way here, down-under.

Yeh, I know there are differences in the charging ports etc to look for, but do you think I can remember which is which??? I'm flat-out remembering who I am, or where I am, or who you are at any given time!!

THANK YOU MIKE FOR THE LISTS!!!!

Peter.....Buco Australia

Wish listed the board for my Silver Bullet! Please make one!PleasePleasePlease!

Could these kits be used to upgrade the Coors Light Silver Bullet?

@NJCJOE posted:

Could these kits be used to upgrade the Coors Light Silver Bullet?

Sure. Download the Coors Silver Bullet chain file here:

https://mthtrains.com/chainfiles

Load that chain file and Coors Silver Bullet sound file into a PS32 board, install PS32 board in you locomotive, enjoy.

Here's an example of what a PS32 board can be used for. 23 year old Premier Dreyfuss Hudson had a blown PS2 5V board. Installed a PS32 board with 5V connectors in place of the PS2 5V board. Loaded the steam with large smoke chain file and a Dreyfuss Hudson PS3 sound file. Working like new with the latest sounds.

@Buco posted:

Forgot to say thanks to Mike for the comprehensive list of PS2 3V and PS2 5V models produced over the years.

This makes purchasing a second-hand PS2 loco on the open market sooo much easier for me here in Australia.....no more worrying if it is a "problem child" version, with the 5V board, that may become a "shelf Queen" after getting it all the way here, down-under.

Yeh, I know there are differences in the charging ports etc to look for, but do you think I can remember which is which??? I'm flat-out remembering who I am, or where I am, or who you are at any given time!!

THANK YOU MIKE FOR THE LISTS!!!!

Peter.....Buco Australia

Not only that Peter, but now with PS3/2 boards, PS3 kits coming back in stock, AND, the entire streamlining of mthpartsandsales, one can clearly see how dedicated this outfit is to helping  MTH customers keep ALL their equipment in good working order,……no matter the age!!….no cut off date required!!….😉

Pat

We have a Premiere Berkshire from the 2001 catalog Catalog #3360 that is inoperable. Can I assume that the 5v board is blown and that changing it out for the PS32 board will restore operation? Will it still have the frailties of the 5v system or is this a true plug in 'fix' that should give long term results? Being this is an early model  will it now have puffing smoke and most of the modern features of a PS3 system please?

MTH's site shows this early model as well as two Erie Berks from 2007. One each high-rail and scale wheel versions. Must assume these two are PS3.0?

@c.sam posted:

We have a Premiere Berkshire from the 2001 catalog Catalog #3360 that is inoperable. Can I assume that the 5v board is blown and that changing it out for the PS32 board will restore operation? Will it still have the frailties of the 5v system or is this a true plug in 'fix' that should give long term results? Being this is an early model  will it now have puffing smoke and most of the modern features of a PS3 system please?

MTH's site shows this early model as well as two Erie Berks from 2007. One each high-rail and scale wheel versions. Most assume these two are PS3.0?

The "frailties of the 5V system", as you put it, is the PS2 5V board itself, not the wire harness or anything else. The PS32 board with 5V connectors eliminates the PS2 5V board and replaces it with a new board (the PS32 board) that plugs into the existing wire harness. If you load the board with a PS3 sound file you'll get all PS3 functionality, including a quilling whistle.

As an aside, We are working to create an addendum that illustrates the minor wiring changes required to use a Protosound 3/2 Stacker in a 4 motor application (such as a lead powered A with a PS2 board and trailing powered A with a PS2 slave board). (This addendum will also apply to any tubine with 4 motors.

What I’m saying is that if the factory installed PS2 5V or 3V board in the lead unit goes out, you can use the stacker to replace it AND keep the PS2 Slave board (no need to spend 2x the money to repair a n AA or ABA set with a bad lead powered A board.

We’ll hopefully have this completed around the time the boards begin shipping in March.

Thank you,

Mike

MTH Parts & Sales LLC