Is this engine considered a Proto 1?

PS1
If it was conventional it wouldn't have the Protosound label, but would say it accepts protosound. The other questions- need to wait for people with way more experience than me.

LP in the number was for PS1, also the Protosound in the middle of the label.

"Operating couplers" does not mean they will work with command control.  You will have to buy and replace with command operating couplers.  Further, command control boards do not work well with incandescent lighting.  You will have to replace (and rewire) with LEDs.

Chuck

They're coil couplers, isn't it just a small amount of voltage needed to trigger the couplers?

I just checked and they are coil couplers.

Proto-sounds is a conventional system.  It was a sound system with features you triggered from a series of button pushes on the Z-4000 transformer.  I was never good at getting those features work well that way.  It earned the name PS1 only when PS2 and DSC were introduced around 2002 as I recall.  If you were to put in an ERR board you can use the existing lights and the couplers and add command control while you are at it as well as get a newer EMD sound file.  The Proto-sounds board would then become redundant, but could go to use in a non sound equipped locomotive if you wanted.  The challenge with PS1 boards is that the sounds and the board were built as a single component so if the sound went, so did the operation.  I have a few dead PS1 locomotives because of scrambling the PS system.

Good luck with your project!

@GG1 4877 posted:

Proto-sounds is a conventional system.  It was a sound system with features you triggered from a series of button pushes on the Z-4000 transformer.  I was never good at getting those features work well that way.  It earned the name PS1 only when PS2 and DSC were introduced around 2002 as I recall.  If you were to put in an ERR board you can use the existing lights and the couplers and add command control while you are at it as well as get a newer EMD sound file.  The Proto-sounds board would then become redundant, but could go to use in a non sound equipped locomotive if you wanted.  The challenge with PS1 boards is that the sounds and the board were built as a single component so if the sound went, so did the operation.  I have a few dead PS1 locomotives because of scrambling the PS system.

Good luck with your project!

Would I have to add resistors to the PS1 lighting or will the lights work with ERR Command board?

@R Whitley posted:

I just checked and they are coil couplers.

You can replace the protosound with an ERR cruise commander and a railsound commander.  It will cost about $225 plus shipping.  All the parts you need for conversion are included in these two kits.  Go with the SD sounds; the GP30 has a turbocharger.

You do not need to change the couplers.  PS1 couplers are compatible; PS2 and PS3 coupler are not.

@R Whitley posted:

Would I have to add resistors to the PS1 lighting or will the lights work with ERR Command board?

The headlight output of the Cruise Commander is 16 volts.  I believe the headlight bulbs are 6 volt, so, yes, you will need to bring this down to about 5-6 volts.  If you are doing all this work, consider swapping the incandescent bulbs with LED’s.  A 3mm, warm white LED with a resistor and diode will work.  Alternatively, look at Evens Designs, they have LED’s that are 18 volt plug and play.

If I remember correctly, my Protosound  headlights were 1.5 volts.

PS/1 diesel directional lights are 1.5V unless they have the add-on lighting board, then they are 6V.  In either case, you'll need to replace the bulbs.

@John H posted:

If I remember correctly, my Protosound  headlights were 1.5 volts.

Very possible.  Many of the class lights, if the engine had lighted ones, were 1.5v.  Regardless, the 16v output from the CC will kill them all, if you do not use some regulation.

PS-1 couplers work fine with ERR.  If it has a constant voltage board for interior, markers or number boards, leave it alone.  Change the Head lights to 14-18Volt bulbs or use LEDs with a resistor and controlled from the ERR board.  If it has PS-1 smoke, you can control it from the ERR board also.  G

@GGG posted:

PS-1 couplers work fine with ERR.  If it has a constant voltage board for interior, markers or number boards, leave it alone.  Change the Head lights to 14-18Volt bulbs or use LEDs with a resistor and controlled from the ERR board.  If it has PS-1 smoke, you can control it from the ERR board also.  G

GGG,

I want to make sure I understand this part of your reply " If it has a constant voltage board for interior, markers or number boards, leave it alone." Does your statement mean it's okay to tie into the ERR board without adding any resistors or do not use the constant voltage board at all?

CV boards are powered from Track power.  Just leave it that way.  ERR only has couplers, directional lights and var channel primarily for smoke.  So all those other feature lights are on the CV board.  G

GGG

Thanks for explaining the CV boards are powered from Track power. Thanks to all who chimed in on this topic, I learned a lot and hopefully others as well have.

I highly recommend this Forum and more importantly please subscribe to this magazine.

Robert