Atlas O Switchers...SW8...SW9 and MTH PS3

I just went down to remind myself of any issues.

edit: it may fit?

I have not seen the size of MTH's PS3 S scale boards yet myself. Come to think of it I haven't seen the HO either!

 I took apart one I bought used, and it had 2 HO decoders inside that both seem non-responsive.

One is for sound and the other is for the motors. They both fit yet they seem fried.

I think you would need a MTH tech who can get the new boards and is innovative and would try to install something small. Until MTH releases a upgrade kit in the smaller scales, I have been stuck. I will try my contacts again and see if I can get anywhere. I believe I tried too long ago before stuff was available?

 They used to have TMCC inside so I would think there's hope!

This is an original Atlas SW9 with Dallee control.  I was able to do the TMCC upgrade with a TAS bottle board, that I acquired from this forum.  Tight fit and I had to do some grinding.  The speaker in the fuel tank, may be, the most time consuming project.  I was also able to add the electro-couplers with some slight frame modifications.

Original Dallee electronics.

When TAS did a lot of these conversions, many years ago, they purchased new SW9 Frames, from Atlas, that were speaker and electronic board friendly.

Wow, talk about a tight fit  !!!!!!!!!!! 

Just my opinion but, there is NO WAY I would convert my Atlas O CB&Q SW to MTH DCS!  It works just fine under TMCC, and even operates into my rural sidings, which have been VERY difficult to properly clean sufficiently enough for DCS control. However, the TMCC/Legacy units work just great in those "out-ofthe-way" areas.

First, some are just 2 rail dcs only, no sounds or command inside.

Second, I can't use Lionel and dcs on the same rails. (I do find the sounds in my 2 rail TMCC version, OK. If I'm paying now, I want better sound)

Finally, I much prefer the new ps3 operation and sounds to the old tmcc. 

I think the speaker should be placed under the rad section if there's room.

Thanks 

Sorry, I might have been wrong.

I just measured and it appears that the MTH PS3 diesel kit board, may fit (barely??) inside. Things are so tight that it would need care in placement so that it is mounted perfectly around obstructions. I think bending the caps, and the bridge rectifier may allow it to fit.

Now I just need the spare cash to attempt it.

Larry, I will check closer into this when I can. It will be a tight fit. If no one else does it, I'll try.

You maybe able to use a dummy SW9 cow or get  MTH dummy Calf (B unit) and add the PS3 in it and mu the two loco's together so the PS3 is in the dummy unit with cables to the powered unit to control the motor, front light and front coupler and the dummy unit would have the rear light and rear coupler.   I have built a slug from a MTH SW calf frame, a ERR dummy unit, front light and front coupler.   

I have MTH SW1500 with a ERR DC commander and no room for the ERR sound card, so have a K-line MP15 dummy that has a ERR E8/9 sound unit in it that a run with the MTH SW1500.        In the picture is the slug dummy, the MP15 dummy with sound and the

SW1500 that is powered.

I have made the GP7 & slug set.  The GP7 has the DC Commander and a rear electric coupler and light and one powered truck. The slug has one powered truck and front light and front electric coupler.  They are wired together with cables from RC airplanes.

I don't know if Larry has a 2 or 3 rail engine. If it were a 3 rail, I would recommend just buying the MTH version. 

 For 2 rail, is where it gets interesting. 

Thanks for the responses...you've done enough to scare me away from even asking anyone to try.  I had a couple converted to  TMCC way back there when TAS was doing it...I'll just be happy with those...and the PS2 versions I already have.

Thanks again...many times over!!

Larry

OK Larry, but I still have to do it!