Steam kits are available from MTH, I got a couple several weeks ago.

You can send the board set to an ASC and they can test them on the PS/2 test set.  However, the 5V boards are quite infamous for dying a sudden death coming out of storage, so the LHS may not be pulling your leg.  The only way to know is to test them.  The probably of repairing the 5V board set is low to very low, usually when they go totally dead, they're really totally dead.

GGG in the forum here can test them and if possible he'll repair them, but don't count on the repair.

Actually, the steam upgrade kits now being shipped by MTH are PS3, not PS2.  Very close in size, except that PS3 does not have a battery.  Installation process is virtually identical.  Some techs may have PS2 upgrade kits in stock.

Correct, no more PS/2 kits AFAIK. 

Are PS3 upgrade kits different for PS1 or PS2 engines? 

How involved is a PS2 to PS3 upgrade?

Is it possible to send a suspicious board to someone for testing. Then if confirmed it is dead, then have that someone send a kit with a new sound file already installed?

There is only one steam and one diesel PS/3 upgrade kit, it's the same for any locomotive.  There's really little point in upgrading a PS/2 locomotive to PS/3, the capabilities are similar.  If you have an older PS/2 that the board has died, you can install the PS32 board in it's place and use the existing wiring.

It's certainly possible for someone to test the board, and also to load a sound file into a new board before shipping.  Of course, it's really not that difficult for you to load the sound file as well.

Are PS3 upgrade kits different for PS1 or PS2 engines? 

How involved is a PS2 to PS3 upgrade?

Is it possible to send a suspicious board to someone for testing. Then if confirmed it is dead, then have that someone send a kit with a new sound file already installed?

Is it possible for me to simply order a 32 board? I'm sure my PS2 board is bad. 

You'll have to get it through an MTH dealer or tech, last time I checked, MTH didn't sell the PS32 board directly to end users.  The PS32 board comes in two flavors, one with 5V connectors and one with 3V connectors.

Bob, GGG is the man to contact for board testing and evaluation of repairability.

PS3 upgrade kits are the same for all engines.  PS2 to PS3 upgrade is fairly simple.

RJR posted:

PS3 upgrade kits are the same for all engines.  PS2 to PS3 upgrade is fairly simple.

Uhh... NO!  The PS/3 Diesel and PS/3 Steam kits are worlds apart, they're certainly not the same!

True, GRJ. Had a senior moment.  I was thinking of something else.

And I would not call a PS3 diesel upgrade kit simple to work with.

I purchased the Erie 5v ABA a while ago. The seller said it had been a display piece for years. I've never powered it up. 

The wheels and the ABA look pristine, so I was  given the real deal  rather than "alternative facts"! 

Should I replace the boards rather than waiting for a failure?

Thanks for the help.  

Don't fix stuff that ain't broke!

It may run for years, but you do want to replace the battery before you try to run it.  I still have some 5V boards in locomotives, I'm not replacing them until I need to.

One thing I'd look at while it's open to replace the battery.  Check if there are any signs of these capacitors leaking or bulging in any way, especially the one indicated by the arrow.  They will normally exhibit some bulging on the top or the bottom, and occasionally you'll see a little leakage from them.  If so, and you haven't powered it on, it may be saved by a replacement cap before you power it on.

That is a PS-2 3V board and I have never seen one bulge?  You meant the 5V board correct?

Boards can be tested, e-mail in my profile.  If your doing an upgrade it is all inclusive in the kit.  Engine difficulty varies, and your electrical and mechanical skills matter.  If your not good at fixing household stuff, chances are you may not be good at upgrading a train.  You can read the manual on line.

As far as repairing an older engine with a new PS-32 board, that can be a little more involved as it requires a speaker swap, the board with the proper connectors, and more mechanical fitting since it has a different shape and connector location than the board being replaced.  Smaller the space harder the installation.  G

How did I do that?  You're right, I've never seen the 3V one go, only the 5V boards.  I have to stop posting before my coffee!

Welcome to old age, John.

RJR posted:

Welcome to old age, John.

I guess there's only one way out of it...