For guys who do upgrades.

Hmmm, I just posted on another forum that the diesel kit comes with LEDs. I wonder how many of them are still around? I'd better get a couple while I can. Otherwise, I'll just have to add a few resistors and LEDs. I'm good either way. The tiny wires are tougher to see as my eyes are getting older!  So far they have held up for me even in G scale.

I just installed another PS2 kit in a Williams Challenger. I'm way behind you Marty.

Well I'm a big fan of the current PS3 Diesel Upgrade Kit so guess I better order about 20 in before they get changed! I really like all the lighting options available. I don't like the PS3/2 lighting board as have had problems with those things not staying seated properly.

If any kits are to be revamped it should be those PS3 Steam Upgrade Kits. Do away with that cheezy PS3/2 board and set them up with the tender/ boiler board setup with a 6 wire tether. That way all lighting functions are available in boiler without the need to run a big 10/12 wire tether.

I just got a diesel kit with the LED's, so MTH has some now. The multiple harnesses with the very thin wires are a pain. I'm with Marty, one board for both steam/diesel is good.  The kits still need some work. The bracket that holds the board was made incorrectly and doesn't fit. I used a couple of bread tie wraps to hold the board to the bracket.

Not to mention ordering the boards was confusing to me at first. The upgrade PS32 board part number is one single digit different from the current diesel board, and of course I ordered the wrong one. The HO boards are even more fun!

It will be sad to see the passing of the extra features the full PS/3 board gives you, automatic cab light control and Rule-17 lighting, but I won't miss the tiny long wires, they are certainly a PITA.

Doesn't the PS 3/2 board do those things?

No...PS3/2 boards have same lighting functions as PS2 

After thinking about it this is a deal breaker for me. Rest of the decoder industry is moving forward with lighting functions but MTH is moving backwards. After stocking up on PS3 wiring, interconnect plugs, $400 test fixture I've had enough...Hello LokSound XL and QSI Titans.

DCS was always "sold" as being upgradeable for "free" over the internet...BUT if you want WiFi ya' gotta pay!

I'm outta here... 

John, give some thought about how many guys would open the rats nest and say not me.  I for one welcome the PS-3/2 board .   

Marty,

This subject was brought up at Jason's Seminar on PS3 upgrades Friday.  Jason mentioned that MTH is proceeding with the 3/2 board in Diesel Upgrade  -  BUT  -  the existing Diesel Upgrade kit will remain in inventory.  Users could order whichever kit they wanted.

Also brought up was the lack of 6-32 nut recesses in the mounting bracket.  Jason said they are aware of it and will correct it.  I brought up that the speaker wire, p/n  BC-0000008 was wired in reverse.  It should not matter since the speaker coil is isolated, but I reversed the leads in that wire  in the  PS3 Diesel upgrade on my test bench now.

Glad you brought the subject up.

bruce

I think the current kit should be retained as an option and have three versions available to order.  There are some that like and prefer what the new kit offers with extra lighting features/functions, etc for their upgrades.

Thanks Bruce, so just to confirm the current kit will be kept to order in the future?  (I didnt see your reply before I sent mine)

Engineer-Joe posted:

Doesn't the PS 3/2 board do those things?

Not unless it's different than steam.  Since they went to the special FLASH code that emulates the PS/2 board, you use PS/2 sound files, no Rule-17 lighting.  Obviously, they could do automatic cab light control, but I don't remember any PS/2 locomotives that do so.

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

John, give some thought about how many guys would open the rats nest and say not me.  I for one welcome the PS-3/2 board .   

Marty, I can't argue that the wiring of the pure PS/3 kit is much more of a PITA, I quote a higher price to do that install than to do the PS/2 diesel install for that reason!

Bruce, I was told the current kit is available until sold out.   They are available.  I have done many diesel kits and it is no fun pulling wires apart.   

Bruce, I just talked to Mike and Jason.  They will keep both for a while and see how it goes.  

Thanks, Marty.  I agree, pulling those tiny wires is not easy and is time consuming. Adds to the cost to install.

For the record, I'm a fan of MTH and hope to convert all of my engines to PS-2 or PS-3. For MTH to decide to downgrade their upgrade offerings (eliminate features available in new RTR engines) because installers are "whining it's too hard", even though they are being paid to make the conversions, is going in the wrong direction. Add to this the inability to get parts from MTH and a lack of documentation available on many of the products they have sold, shows a lack of consideration for their loyal folowers. This will, in time, be MTH's  downfall like it has been for many companies before them. I hope Mike reconsiders his decision and continues to offer upgrade kits that continue to provide us with more and more features.  As far as parts are concerned I understand this can be a "non-profit" for MTH but customer loyalty has a value too.  The documentation issue on the website should be easy and inexpensive to address since this is a nonrecurring cost.

Trainmstr posted:

For MTH to decide to downgrade their upgrade offerings (eliminate features available in new RTR engines) because installers are "whining it's too hard", even though they are being paid to make the conversions, is going in the wrong direction.

Wow, who whizzed in your cornflakes?  First off, many of the people doing the conversions are not paid installers, but rather just train hobbyists.  I didn't see paid installers "whining it's too hard", just commenting that it's more time consuming to install these and thus charging more.

Marty,

I really like the PS3 Diesel kit!  OH NO!

Dave

I do not charge more to install a PS-3 kit.  The harness could be improved because it comes as a rats nest and the insulation is thin/hard/too long.   G

Send all your upgrades for the PS/3 Diesel upgrade kit to George, he likes them!

Good news, Marty.  I was chatting with Midge at York, and she told me that they were out of stock on diesel upgrade kits, but had steam.  Now I don't know for sure whether she meant at York or at Columbia.

I do have an unused PS3 diesel upgrade kit, which I'm willing to sell at the current MTH list price ($199.95), plus shipping.  I had opened the box to see what the tach sensor looked like (it differs from the steam kit), but have not otherwise touched it.