Conversion of MTH VO-1000 Dummy to PS3

Wow, you picked up a PS-3 Dash 8 for $150!  Not sure the Transfer of the Truck to the VO-1000 will look right.  The dummy trucks may not have sufficient parts to be made mobile.  Motor shafts/gear on the Dash 8 will be different then the motor on a powered VO.  Motor/Flywheel may not fit under the shell of the VO.  This will be a real kit bash.

GGG, thanks for your feedback.  Didn't think I was going to get any.  Yes, the price for the engine is one I couldn't refuse.

You are correct about the conversion, it's going to be a challenge.  With regard to the motors, I believe MTH diesel motors are all the same.  I say this because I used to work in a hobby shop and performed many repairs to MTH diesels.  All the motor part numbers were the same unless you wanted the one with the blackened flywheel.  I also believe the gearing is all the same.  That could have changed though as I have been out of the repair business since 2007.

My thoughts on the trucks is to just swap side frames and reuse the Dash 8 trucks.  You are correct about the dummy trucks, no gears or traction tire wheels.  Again, I am assuming the Dash 8 trucks will eliminate that issue.  As stated earlier, all MTH power trucks were the same including wheelbase.  That may not be so anymore.

The Dash 8 arrives tomorrow according to tracking.  I will take pictures of the process and post them on this thread assuming everything works out as planned.  If this doesn't work, I have a plan B ready.

The part number on the motor is a generic manufacture part number that list the size of the can, number of poles, type of material and rated speed/voltage.  The MTH part number is different and accounts for size of flywheel and the gear on the shaft.  All motor are not the same.  Premier all use a standard size motor, and the RK a smaller one.  But each unit has different gears and flywheels.  The other issue as you switch to a PS-3 motor is how the tach is mounted.  The steam O I have seen have the tach mounted via the frame, not attached to the motor.

Side frames can mount differently also.  Good luck, let us know how it turns out.  G

GGG, it just goes to show that all things are not as they appear.  The Dash 8 arrived today.  When I get home tonight I'll pop the top and see whats under the hood.  You may be correct in the fact that I have made too many assumptions.  I'll let you know.  If the Dash 8 doesn't work, plane B should be here Friday.

Why not buy a VO-1000 and drop the shell onto that one?  I bought one in the forum here for $125 shipped, I can't buy the PS/2 board set for that money!  It would be an easy conversion, and it's a lot more likely to work as intended.  BTW, I do love the startup sounds of the VO-1000, it has a great diesel starting sequence.

The WM VO-1000 does have an interesting startup sound

I have inspected the insides of the Dash 8.  The tach sensor is mounted on the motor.  The motors have the wafer flywheels and will fit in the shell.  The trucks of both engines have the same wheelbase and the side frame mounting screws have the same center to center measurements.  The only obstacle I see before me may be the lighting.  The Dash 8 has LED's and mounting them may be a challenge if I use them at all.  There is a separate lighting board for head, ditch and cab lights.  I fired up the Dash 8 to check out the electronics and lighting.  It has a similar start up sequence of sounds as a stock VO-1000.  The multi chime horn is nice too although it wasn't the typical horn sound.  It's going to be a fun project.  I'm going to check to see if there is a PS3 sound set for a VO-1000.  Again, I will take pictures during the course of the project and post them periodically.

You know you can load a PS/2 3V sound file into a PS/3 locomotive, right?  I know there's a PS/2 3V sound set for the VO-1000, I have one.

John, thanks for the reminder.  Haven't thought that far ahead, but now I don't have to.  Thanks again.

Just wanted to let everyone know this project is completed and how everything turned out.  I completed the conversion of the drive train in April of this year.  I decided against removing the electronics from the DASH 8.  I thought it better to keep that engine intact.  Instead, I installed an ERR Cruise Commander with LED headlights at each end and a grain of wheat bulb for cab lighting. 

Sound is not installed as of yet.  The sound set I'm installing is ERR RailSounds ALCO with single chime horn.  It seems to be the most logical 1st generation diesel sound for the application.  Any suggestions to a possible alternate prime mover sound set would be welcomed. 

Presently I'm in search of a 40mm round, 8 ohm, 2 watt speaker.  As soon as I have the speaker in hand, sound will be installed.  While the shell is separated from the frame, I will strip all remnants its WM livery and begin the Erie conversion.  I will post pictures upon completion.

One more thing, I would like to thank everyone for their input at the beginning and during the course of this project.

The Alco PA sounds about as close as you're going to get with the ERR RS Commander choices.

How tall can the speaker be?

John,

I'm going to have to check and see how much depth I have to work with.  Basically it's whatever the depth of the fuel tank is.

Bob

The reason I ask is that the VO1000 and similar locomotives typically don't offer much room in the tank.  The older ones came with flat speakers that were only about 6-7mm high, because that's all that would fit!

I have a fairly recent PS/2 one, but I don't have it here to look, but the tank doesn't look all that deep.

Good afternoon

Erie Bob I hope your project works out. I could use the wheels off the dummy unit if you would want to part with them.

Clem k

John -  I will check and let you know.

Clem - Before I let them go, I want to be sure I don't have a use for them.  If I don't, they are yours.

Bob

Thank you Erie Bob

Clem k