Converting Atlas RS1 to PS3

I'm not familiar with atlas motors but the mth ps3 kit must have dc motors to run from the ps 3 electronic boards. due you know if your motors are AC or DC VOLTAGES?

Alan

the couplers are dc operated on ps 3 engine also, what voltages are they on atlas?

Good Evening Alan,

I believe Atlas O uses standard O Gauge railroading Pittman motors with large flywheels.  After reading the instructions, it appears that these can motors would be compatible.  With respect to the couplers, I actually replaced the ones on the unit with newer Atlas O couplers which seem to be made by Lionel.  As part of the conversion, I would replace with the long shank couplers included in the 50-1912 PS3 kit.

Thanks for the reply!

John

I have converted several Atlas to ps2 and they ran very smooth.  Should be no issue but space.  Tight in the Atlas.

Good to hear.  Have you ever converted a Weaver steamer or modern Lionel without rail sounds (just horn and bell - I think conventional was the term coined around 2002)?

There shouldn't be any issue converting either the Weaver or Lionel locomotives to PS/3.  Like George says, the RS-1 from Atlas is pretty narrow, it'll be a tight fit with the PS/3 package.  You might end up removing the board carrier to get it to fit.

VALE40 posted:

Good to hear.  Have you ever converted a Weaver steamer or modern Lionel without rail sounds (just horn and bell - I think conventional was the term coined around 2002)?

Yes, The Williams especially.  It can be done.  G

Thanks everyone for the replies.

Next big question - anyone have experience using a NON MTH smoke unit in their conversion?  I assume if wired with correct polarity, the current Atlas smoke unit will work, but any experience with using non MTH smoke units with PS3 conversion kits is greatly appreciated.  Need to know if I have to source one from MTH today so it is delivered by this weekend

Measure resistor.  As long as greater than 8 ohms it will work.  Make sure no resistor lead is on chassis ground.  Most are tas like design and work fine. G

I'd probably consider replacing the resistor if it's a lot more than 8 ohms.

Thanks all for the responses.  The MTH resistor with 8 ohm resistance is AI-0000018?

Nope, those resistors are 16 ohms, MTH PS2/3 smoke units have two of them in parallel.

I'd try either an 8 or 10 ohm one, here's suitable models from Digikey

8.2 ohm 3W wirewould resistor

10 ohm 3W wirewound resistor

One of these should work, I'd start with the 10 ohm and see how well it smokes.

Given that they are 16 ohm, would the best course of action be to replace the atlas/lionel heating element and install two AI-0000018 resistors in parallel inside of the unit, both connected to the same leads?

Most likely will not fit.  I have found many of the TAS units with 10 ohm resistors and they work fine.  A single 16 ohm would also work with reduced smoke output.  How much you want your diesel to smoke will drive resistor selection.  Going too low with a single element risk burning up the element since it gets all the power.  MTH uses a different smoke setting code for "small smoke single element" engines like switchers.  Special flash code for the old PS-2 3V boards, and specific code in the PS-3 engines.  G

So for my RS-1 PS3 conversion from TMCC, leave the current smoke unit in place, with the stock elements inside and follow the circuit modification instructions in the PS3 kit?  Even though it is an ALCO, I am fine with less than San Francisco style smog smoke production.

Electro-couplers??   Are the Atlas two piece articulated couplers suitable for the MTH board?? 

I planned on using MTH long shank ProtoCouplers - P/N DD-0000032 included in the kit.  I believe these are close in length to the Original Atlas Couplers.

I suspect Mike may be thinking the Atlas couplers are an oddball mount, some are.  Look carefully before you make the leap.   The TMCC couplers will be marginal on PS/3, they normally operate at considerably higher voltage.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I suspect Mike may be thinking the Atlas couplers are an oddball mount, some are.  Look carefully before you make the leap.   The TMCC couplers will be marginal on PS/3, they normally operate at considerably higher voltage.

Based on your statement above, try to integrate the new PS2/3 couplers, however, worst case scenario the Atlas couplers will work then (just not well)?

They will be marginal, some will work, some won't.