MTH Chain Files

Yes, all PS/3 has chain files, and I can assure you any PS/3 steam should have a chain file.

Of course, since you didn't tell us what the exact model is, we can't be more specific.

Thanks Gunrunner.  The model number is 20-3519-1E.  It's a T-1 Duplex.

What are these chain files?  What do they do?

Thanks,

Todd

If you check the file available for the MTH 20-3519 set, you'll find it's a .ZIP file and not an .MTH file.

Inside that ZIP file is two files, one is the .MTH sound file and the other is the ZIP file that contains all the chain files.

The sound file is loaded just like any other sound file.  The chain file ZIP is used with the DCS Loader's FLASH upload feature to load the chain files for the PS/2 boards.

Chain files contain much of the control information that used to all be either in the sound file or the embedded firmware that the end user couldn't access.  Stuff like gearbox ratio, lighting options, etc. are all in the chain file.

Thank you Gunrunner for the information.  Appreciate your time.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

If you check the file available for the MTH 20-3519 set, you'll find it's a .ZIP file and not an .MTH file.

Inside that ZIP file is two files, one is the .MTH sound file and the other is the ZIP file that contains all the chain files.

The sound file is loaded just like any other sound file.  The chain file ZIP is used with the DCS Loader's FLASH upload feature to load the chain files for the PS/2 boards.

Chain files contain much of the control information that used to all be either in the sound file or the embedded firmware that the end user couldn't access.  Stuff like gearbox ratio, lighting options, etc. are all in the chain file.

Do you happen to know for sure if the scale speed factor is in the PS3 chain or sound file? Reason I ask is I have several steam locomotives with PS32 boards. I loaded the PS32 steam chain file and then the correct PS3 sound file for the locomotive. Scale speed has been dead on. I'm wondering if the scale speed calibration is still in the PS3 sound file. That or I'm getting lucky.

I'm thinking the scale speed scale is in the sound file. The gear ratio may be the same but the driver diameter can be different. That'll affect both the scale speed and odometer. There has to be something in the PS3 sound file that has that information. I do know for sure that the chain file has the information for the lighting effects, but I'm betting the sound file has the scale speed calibration.

To be honest as long as the PS3 sound files work in PS32 boards, with the PS32 steam chain file, I'm happy.

PS-32 is different.  One chain file for PS-32 depending on some of the basics like steam or diesel, and smoke size etc...

So yes the PS-32 chain looks to the sound file for those features like speed, lighting configuration.  Even PS-3 does to a degree I believe.  MTH had to change the convention as they moved into the PS-32 as the replacement board for PS-2.  Early PS-3 looked at the chain file hardware file for configuration.  But each PS-3 had there own chain file.  Later they changed the way the engine looked for that data and the PS-3 Sound file also has certain configuration data.  Just like PS-2 sf did.  G