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After years of faithful service, my MTH PS2 H10 looks like its dead now. Tried everything. Now won't even be addressed anymore. Even tried on my test track alone. No power, sound, lights, etc. So, advise, cheaper to just change over and install TMC boards or send it off for even possible upgrade? I like my DSC system and what I get out of it, as I do this engine which is even weathered. So looking for advise, and who to send to. (I've never had to send an engine in for repairs, only once sent an engine out to be upgraded). The only thing I did was replace some rear parker lights, add a BCR and installed a new speaker. Has run faithfully for years. Thanks for any help.

 

Last edited by josef
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Louie, Engine House Hobbies, does Proto1/2 to Proto3 upgrades and if your Proto 2 just needs service, he will just charge for the work performed.  I have one SMR engine converted to TMCC (ERR), and all my Kline TMCC engines have been converted to Proto2 or 3.  If I could get an engine converted to Legacy, I might consider a Legacy upgrade; however, baring that, I just upgrade my Proto 1/2 to Proto3 or have the Proto 2 fixed when an engine fails.  My Legacy EM1 sound board has failed and Louie has ordered a new board. I dislike mailing engines so I just drop them off at Engine House Hobbies in Gaithersburg MD. 

winrose46 posted:

Louie, Engine House Hobbies, does Proto1/2 to Proto3 upgrades and if your Proto 2 just needs service, he will just charge for the work performed.  I have one SMR engine converted to TMCC (ERR), and all my Kline TMCC engines have been converted to Proto2 or 3.  If I could get an engine converted to Legacy, I might consider a Legacy upgrade; however, baring that, I just upgrade my Proto 1/2 to Proto3 or have the Proto 2 fixed when an engine fails.  My Legacy EM1 sound board has failed and Louie has ordered a new board. I dislike mailing engines so I just drop them off at Engine House Hobbies in Gaithersburg MD. 

Thanks. I also hate to mail and possible damage, but would carefully pack and insure. I'm just wondering if and how much an upgrade to PS3 would compare to a TMC which I know I can install and have done 7 locos so far after seeing how easy it really is. But also like the features of DCS on these locos.  If the cost isn't to much more, I would do the upgrade.

Do they take mail in repairs?

Last edited by josef

Always look forwards not backwards and TMCC is in the rear view mirror. If the P2 board can be repaired cheaper then a P3 upgrade well there you go it has everything liked about it, if not P3 will give you the same likes with a better platform and sound quality. TMCC is like going back to your 1990's cell phone in comparison of DCS and Legacy now.

Last edited by Hotpressmugs
Hotpressmugs posted:

Always look forwards not backwards and TMCC is in the rear view mirror. If the P2 board can be repaired cheaper then a P3 upgrade well there you go it has everything liked about it, if not P3 will give you the same likes with a better platform and sound quality. TMCC is like going back to your 1990's cell phone in comparison of DCS and Legacy now.

Makes good sensible sense. Its also I am not aware of repair shops, never having to ever send anything in for repairs. This is my first MTH engine that went dead after all these years of running them every day for hours. Thanks for replying.

I have a wonky MTH Western Maryland H9.  Mine is the original 5-volt system.  These locos are geared low enough to run well without speed control.  If I don't just rip everything out and go conventional, I'm actually thinking about these options:

http://www.locolinc.com/photos/styled/

http://www.cvpusa.com/airwire_system.php

These systems are direct RC.  They are designed for use with an on-board battery, but a very simple helper circuit can groom the track voltage to provide what the on-board receiver / decoder is expecting from the battery.  No command base, no out of range errors, no ground plane issues, 100% compatible with everything.  Like Lionchief Plus for grownups.  Unless you're doing some kind of centralized, computerized layout dispatching system, I really don't see the advantage of a system that requires a command base.  Food for thought...

Last edited by Ted S

I assume this is the PS-2 5V version, if so it can be upgraded to PS-32 and you get all features of the original, including sounds, (or you can select a PS-3 sound file).

If this was the PS-2 3V version, it may be repairable at a single board or component level.  Going to TMCC will cause a loss of most functions you bought the engine for, or you need to add extra stuff that makes the cost much more than even an upgrade.  In your case it is a repair, which is less cost.  G

MTH is great. A phone call, and a very informative conversation got me a MTH certified repair person close to home within driving distance. I never knew, nor any of my other friends that there was an authorized repair/warranty person so close by. I was impressed by how quickly the phone was answered and directed to a Technician. I appreciate all the input and post. It did make me look at a repair or upgrade, rather then a TMCC replacement.

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