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Hello,

I am interested in switching sound sets on a couple of my MTH PS3 engines and I have a few questions.  I know this has been discussed before, so please forgive me if this is repetitive.  I have read Barry's book and watched some videos on the topic, but this is my first time actually trying it.

I have a Rev L TIU that has a USB port.  I have a WIU as well.  My TIU is powered with a Z750 transformer.  Track power on all 4 channels is supplied by 2 Z4000's.

1.)  Do I need to disconnect all track power connections to the input and output sides of the TIU before uploading or downloading sound files from/to the engine or can I leave everything connected and only apply power to the fixed 1 input with my Z4000 assuming the engine I want to program is the only one on that loop?

2.)  The 2 engines I want to reprogram are both railking imperial PS3.  One is an PRR M1a Mountain and the other is a ES44AC.  If I select a proto sound file from a newer version of the same engine is there any benefit to updating the chain file as well as the sound file (ie. will the newer chain file provide any newer features)?  I'm mainly interested in the different whistle/horn that was updated in the newer sound files.

3.)  Can you add a PS2 sound set to a PS3 engine without doing anything to the chain file?

4.)  Is the quillable whistle feature only available on Premier sound sets and can you add a Premier sound file to a Railking engine to ge the quilable whistle?  My assumption from my research is the sound file will work, but the speed/chuff rate etc will be off because of the gear ratio/driver size difference between Premier and Railking.  I know this can be modified to work, but I'm not interested in going through that lengthy process at this point.

Thanks for the help!  Just want to make sure I'm understanding the logic correctly.

Michael

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I can't answer all your questions. I can add some advice. I am not a tech.

Keep track of each engine's original sound file so you can put it back if things don't go right for you.

Don't power any other engine than the one you're working on.

Having good signal between the engine and TIU is the most important. It was recommended to use DC voltage for best transfers. I've used AC with good results. I usually disconnect the layout and run jumpers to a spare piece of track with just that engine on it.

You can load smaller sound files onto larger memory boards, but it may be a waste?

You may actually mess up the lights by changing the sound file.

You won't get extra lighting on a Railking board most of the time, because the wires aren't there for the new soundfile.

Dealers have a different loader that can permanently change the engine name to match what you're doing. If you do it, when you delete and re-add the engine, the info will revert back to the sound file's profile.

Last edited by Engineer-Joe

I recommend you set up a test track with a direct connection to the TIU and use DC power, that gives you the best chance of speedy loading without errors.

GRJ:  If I setup a test track, directly connected to the fixed 1 output, can I leave all my other layout wiring connected to the TIU or should I disconnect?  Is the DC power source to power the TIU through the auxiliary input or supply track power to the test track through fixed 1?

I currently have a Z750 powering the TIU through the auxiliary power input and (2) Z4000 supplying track power to all 4 TIU inputs.  Thanks.

GRJ:  If I setup a test track, directly connected to the fixed 1 output, can I leave all my other layout wiring connected to the TIU or should I disconnect?  Is the DC power source to power the TIU through the auxiliary input or supply track power to the test track through fixed 1?

I currently have a Z750 powering the TIU through the auxiliary power input and (2) Z4000 supplying track power to all 4 TIU inputs.  Thanks.

Yep, all the other layout wires to other channels will have no effect.  You just want the TIU output channel going direct to a test track.  You also don't want any other engines powered that are connected to any TIU channel, best to simply turn off all the other channel power inputs.

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