FT trailing unit PS 3 upgrade

I removed the switch and soldered the wire together.

Well, I got the remote to find the engine and was also able to see it with the DCS loader program.

I powered up the loco separated the DCS/DSS wire and connected them back again, then it worked.

Trying to load proper chain and sound files now.

will keep you all posted.

Update

got the FT chain files loaded also loaded the necessary sound files.

sounds work movement is good smoke unit is OK all lights except the number lights work

I do have them connected to pin 33 on the 40 pin connector. Is this correct for this locomotive(FT A unit)?

Any ideas why the number board lights are not working?

My guess is they're connected to something like the ditch lights and you have to go turn them on.

This makes sense, because the original connector board is marked D/L N/L where the number lights were plugged in. Currently I have them connected to terminal 33 on the PS3 upgrade diagram, If the ditch lights could be the other option would I need to move to terminal 5?

Look in the config options and turn on any lights you see, maybe you'll get lucky.   If not, then they probably have to move to the ditch lights.

I did that already thinking I switched them off by accident but no luck so I will just move to the ditch light connection

So I have swapped the number light connection to ditch lights and still no number lights, I am not sure what to look at from here. Is there a config setting on the remote that I missed?

Apparently it’s in the sound files, I returned all wires to original terminals then loaded a PS3 sound file and what do you know now all lights work.

Is it possible to upgrade a PS2 sound file to PS3.0?

@Harlee62 posted:

Is it possible to upgrade a PS2 sound file to PS3.0?

No, at least not for anyone but MTH.

Yes that’s what I figured. Seems like an MTH authorized service center could do it.

@Harlee62 posted:

Yes that’s what I figured. Seems like an MTH authorized service center could do it.

Nope, the only people that have the equipment and the source files to do the job would be the MTH development guys.  I am an Authorized Service Center, and we have nothing like that.

Wonder if there would be any chance getting them to convert a file?

@Harlee62 posted:

Wonder if there would be any chance getting them to convert a file?

That's clearly a question for MTH.

I did ask the parts and sales site.

can’t find any contact information for the R&D division in Michigan or I would ask them directly.

GRJ,

MTH did upgrade the sound file for me and added it to the product page.

I installed the updated file and now all the lights work but, now it has passenger sounds instead of the original freight yard sounds and the bell and horn sounds don’t match the original FT A unit horn and bell. I let MTH know this so we will see what happens next.

@Harlee62 posted:

GRJ,

MTH did upgrade the sound file for me and added it to the product page.

I installed the updated file and now all the lights work but, now it has passenger sounds instead of the original freight yard sounds and the bell and horn sounds don’t match the original FT A unit horn and bell. I let MTH know this so we will see what happens next.

I'm stunned they did that, but maybe I don't give them enough credit.  From your description, I think they just picked a different model's sound file, if they actually converted the sound file, it wouldn't have passenger sounds instead of freight sounds.

GRJ,

I agree with the exception that it was still a Harley Davidson sound file. I was not aware MTH produced a passenger sound file, it would make sense since there is a Harley Davidson passenger car set.

I don’t mind the passenger sounds as much as I do the wrong horn and bell sounds.

Well, I can't imagine how they "converted" a 5V file and managed to change all the sounds to something totally different, hence my belief that they actually just substituted a 3V sound file for the engine.

The file should have been a 3V file no matter what since the original 20-2563-1 locomotive set is a PS2.0 3V.

I have no idea how they do it either.

let’s see what MTH tells me. I’ll keep you posted.

GRJ,

I appreciate all the advice and help with this upgrade/conversion. Would have been a bit frustrating without it, not to mention I may even still be working on it!

@Harlee62 posted:

The file should have been a 3V file no matter what since the original 20-2563-1 locomotive set is a PS2.0 3V.

I have no idea how they do it either.

let’s see what MTH tells me. I’ll keep you posted.

Well, I'll be interested to see what they say.

I did get e new ps3 upgrade sound file, they gave me a passenger file, this is ok but the original was a freight sound.

Is it possible to make an extension cable for a proto coupler?

What I want to do is run and AB setup with the remote rear coupler on the B unit.

@Harlee62 posted:

Is it possible to make an extension cable for a proto coupler?

Sure, use at least #24 wire, you can run it a few feet.

No problem with amp draw?

If you're using #24 or larger wire, a few feet will not cause a problem with the couplers.  My test set cables are several feet long to the couplers, and couplers work fine.

Ok thank you. I understand.

Is the tether cable from an ABA setup 24awg wires? Or is it too small?

It will work fine.