I understand the charging jacks for PS2-5v and 3v are different, but it's not always possible to see this detail, especially when shopping on the internet. Is there any other way to tell which electronics are in a loco, such as by the item number or build date? I guess what I mean is, what year did the PS2 switch from 5 volt to 3 volt, and in what year did the PS3 come out?
Also, of the 3 versions, is the PS3 automatically the most desirable, or are the 3 volt boards just as good?
Bill in FtL
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Look it up by item number on the MTH site. I actually still prefer the PS/2 3V equipped engines, the boards are more field repairable than the PS/3 boards. The 2004 timeframe is when the switch occurred.
The charge port underneath the engine for PS2 5v is circular. The port for the PS2 3v is rectangular.
Sunrise
Bill,
Look in the online copy of the instruction manual on MTH's web page for the engine to know the battery type.
PS3 engines are, in my opinion, more desirable than their PS2 counterparts.
However, a PS2 engine, 5 volt or 3 volt, at the right price may be equally desireable.
Look it up by item number on the MTH site. I actually still prefer the PS/2 3V equipped engines, the boards are more field repairable than the PS/3 boards. The 2004 timeframe is when the switch occurred.
Thanks gunrunnerjohn, but I'm still a bit confused. Was 2004 the timeframe for the switch from 5 volt to 3 volts, or from PS2 (3 volt) to PS3? How long were the PS2-3 volt systems produced? To me, the DCS seems a bit intimidating because I have been using DCC when modeling in other scales (N, HO, S, & on30) over the past 20 years.
Bill in FtL
Bill,
Look in the online copy of the instruction manual on MTH's web page for the engine to know the battery type.
PS3 engines are, in my opinion, more desirable than their PS2 counterparts.
However, a PS2 engine, 5 volt or 3 volt, at the right price may be equally desireable.
Hi Barry,
Thanks, that's a good idea, I hadn't thought about checking the instruction manuals to see the battery type, and didn't realize they were all online.
Bill in FtL
In the 2004 timeframe, they went from 5V to 3V boards. I believe it was around 2011 when PS/3 started appearing.
Hang on to your hat, the next version will be for 1.5V or less voltage technology. The change will be driven by the marketplace availability of electronic microcircuits. Moore's Law is still at work; The periodic doubling of components that can be put into a microchip resulting reductions of size, weight and usually the operating voltage. The periodicity is about 8 years, but Silicone Valley CEO's say 18 months.
Another way is if you have the specific engine's MTH's online product page available. You can look at the file name of it's PS2 file by hovering your mouse pointer over the engine personality file symbol and from the file name tell if it's a 5v or 3v engine as well as the date of the file.
IMO, MTH product numbering system leaves a lot to be desired. MTH should have established a new numbering system/sequence/suffix/prefix when they replaced proto-2 and introduced PS2 and possibly again with the change in voltage boards from 5v to 3v. And again with the no battery PS3 products. It can be confusing for buyers and some dealers because of the use of the same numbering system.
This cloudy numbering by MTH is also used with some of their O vs. Std. gauge tinplate products.
In the 2004 timeframe, they went from 5V to 3V boards. I believe it was around 2011 when PS/3 started appearing.
The First ps3 engine was announced on july 3, 2011. IT was a mth premier 4-4-0 Empire state express no. 999
P.S. In case you didn't notice, this thread is in the for sale/trade forum.
That would be in 2011, right? 
Correct, GRJ
Why o' why is this on the Buy/Sell Forum???
How Do You Tell MTH PS2-5v, PS2-3v, and PS3 Apart?
Two of them run great, the other one has a temper!
How Do You Tell MTH PS2-5v, PS2-3v, and PS3 Apart?
Two of them run great, the other one has a temper!
I haven't dealt with a "temper."
Access to this requires an OGR Forum Supporting Membership
