If, as has been speculated, this is a capacitor, it could be as simple as replacing it. However, after the replacement, one would surely want to do a full test to make sure nothing else was affected.
Most likely its a capacitor but it could also be the smoke unit.
Joe
That Greenberg guide sounds pretty outdated. MTH has not had trains made by Samhongsa for nearly a decade. MTH released a press release in early February 2003 announcing their termination with Samhongsa.
MTH has long since outshopped their Premier (and I think the Imperial Railking) steam locomotives to another Korean facility (don't recall the name of the company) and the remaining products are predominantly made in a China plant that MTH apparently "owns."
The original catalog announcement of the Premier Erie Triplex was in 2001, but I don't recall the actual shipping/delivery date to the states. So the first release of the Triplex was either made in the waning days of the Samhongsa partnership, or was made by the new Korean contractor after the transition.
As a worst case scenario you can spend $2 and get a rectifier at Radio Shack. The engine would only go forward without sounds but it's better than a shelf queen.
I've done this on three older PS1 engines and its not a bad solution because it is very easy to do, and very robust: not likely to ever given problems again. For a few dollars more you can buy a small DPDT switch and fit it to the back of the tender so you can select F or R.
If you really want to go simple, yet keep full functionality, you can put in any one of many available reverse units. They can typically be had in the $10-20 range and allow full conventional control. Why be stuck with forward-only or drilling holes for a manual switch?
I was going to make the same point that basic operation can be restored fairly easily and inexpensively, I have done that myself - but some guys will give you a lot of flak for not repairing the original electronics.
... you can put in any one of many available reverse units. They can typically be had in the $10-20 range and allow full conventional control.
I have been looking for inexpensive electronic e-units like that and would like to know where to find them! All I have found so far is higher priced units.
If you don't use your Triplex for a lot of switching, a manual reversing switch might be OK.
(photo for reference- it's not mine)
You want to just send the the tender to save a few bucks on shipping? They should test run it to make sure the engine works after the repair. A $1000 engine and you want to save a few bucks on shipping, amazing!!!!!
It was his concern not mine. I was just trying to help him out. My brother lives in the boonies and shipping is a pain. It's expensive and I've sent him packages that never made it.
As a worst case scenario you can spend $2 and get a rectifier at Radio Shack. The engine would only go forward without sounds but it's better than a shelf queen.
I've done this on three older PS1 engines and its not a bad solution because it is very easy to do, and very robust: not likely to ever given problems again. For a few dollars more you can buy a small DPDT switch and fit it to the back of the tender so you can select F or R.
If you really want to go simple, yet keep full functionality, you can put in any one of many available reverse units. They can typically be had in the $10-20 range and allow full conventional control. Why be stuck with forward-only or drilling holes for a manual switch?
I do that anymore, particularly because you can get replacement sound, too. But early on when I had PS1 with the clanks of death I went with the cheap solution.
I'd be inclined to get the Triplex fully repaired if it were mine. It's a unique loco, far different from any other. It if were something else, of which there are similar locos, I might think different.
Boy, talk about beating a dead horse with this thread. Let Alan pursue his options in peace.
One thing to note for "save a few bucks - just ship the tender" crowd...
The Premier Triplex tender is NOT detachable like a regular steam engine. It is close coupled and semi-permantently attached to the locomotive. That was necessary to run the drive line from the motor in the locomotive back to the drivers under the tender. The Premier Triplex has 24 wheel drive.
Thanks to all of you that have shown concern and have made suggestions. I do understand some of you that may only ship the tender. Frankly, it seems that the only way to know for sure that the repair is tested properly would be to have the locomotive and tender connected together....but I'm certainly no expert in these matters.
I did take the locomotive apart today but please excuse me for not getting around to taking pictures and posting them today as I had promised....I will try tomorrow.
Dave, I did find that the tender separates very easily from the locomotive. The shaft for the tender drivers just slides over the extended motor shaft of the locomotive. Just a couple of screws and the tender can be completely separated from the loco.
I think my next question would be...how difficult would it be to just buy the entire Ps-2 or 3 electronics and install them myself....any special knowledge I would need other than plug and play???
Thanks,
Alan
Alan, I think it's premature to consider a total replacement. Take your time and post some pics of the electronics, and let the people here help you. You may get out of this mess for under $2 if it is just a capacitor.
You wouldn't be replacing it with PS/3, that would be an extensive retrofit, even if you could buy the boards.
If, and I say if, you needed the whole package, it shouldn't be that hard to use the PS/2 boards with the 5V connectors to replace the whole package. However, I'm with Elliot here, before you jump into that pond I'd try to determine what exactly is wrong with the existing unit.
Alan, I think it's premature to consider a total replacement. Take your time and post some pics of the electronics, and let the people here help you. You may get out of this mess for under $2 if it is just a capacitor.
I agree with Elliot..
There was mention above of buying rectifiers and reverse units (no brands/sources
specified??) except Radio Shack, ..I was picking up such items from PSI?? several years
ago, when they were offered to upgrade mechanical reverse units, but haven't seen
the brand mentioned lately (ONE item showed up in a net search). WHO are all the sources cited above for these items (that were used in Bowser streetcars, etc.)? "PSI"
still exists? I was using these to "three rail" a few railbuses, etc. and have uncompleted
projects I should go back to....
There was mention above of buying rectifiers and reverse units (no brands/sources
specified??) except Radio Shack, ..I was picking up such items from PSI?? several years ago, when they were offered to upgrade mechanical reverse units, but haven't seen the brand mentioned lately (ONE item showed up in a net search). WHO are all the sources cited above for these items (that were used in Bowser streetcars, etc.)? "PSI" still exists? I was using these to "three rail" a few railbuses, etc. and have uncompleted projects I should go back to....
Perhaps you should start another thread for your different issue?
You want to just send the the tender to save a few bucks on shipping? They should test run it to make sure the engine works after the repair. A $1000 engine and you want to save a few bucks on shipping, amazing!!!!!
It was his concern not mine. I was just trying to help him out. My brother lives in the boonies and shipping is a pain. It's expensive and I've sent him packages that never made it.
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