MTH MT-2109LP with PS1

Sounds like it doesn't see the battery, it's restarting whenever you interrupt power.

Can you turn the transformer off and have the sounds continue for a few seconds?  If not, it's the battery or the battery circuit on the board.

What transformer are you using and testing with? Being an early MT-xxxx-LP model number= huge clue this is early PS1 and does not like anything but pure sine wave power.

That's what I get for not watching the video first before starting the reply- a Z controller is probably NOT a good transformer given this specific early PS1.

Product page for the engine https://mthtrains.com/20-2109-1

Engine manual https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/20dl13464i.pdf

Snippet of the last page of the manual and a strong possible reason why your Z controller is NOT compatible with this early PS1

You nailed it Vernon, I guess I should have read the manual. Ran fine with my old 1033. Thanks to both of you for answering the post so quickly!

@PRRick posted:

I purchased a used engine and can't get it to run. Seller said it was tested and ran. Is this an issue where it's locked in neutral or something worse? I can return if it's an issue. I put a good battery in there for testing purposes, and planned to get a BCR today for long term. Any help is appreciated. I have one other PS1 diesel and two PS1 steamers and never had this issue. 

Again, I realize you are saying you have 2 other PS1 engines that do work with your current setup, but what is important here is learning and knowing that there was and is a difference in early PS1 engines, and that difference to my knowledge is somewhat firmware differences, but also could be hardware (electronics) revision. That difference is what makes them incompatible with many electronically controlled transformers opposed to more traditional postwar roller or wiper style transformers. Most modern electronic transformers- including Zcontrollers, can and do distort the sine wave output especially at partial throttle.

I cannot say with any certainty that you can just drop one of the new updated sound chips into the upper board and have it work -or if that improves or solves the transformer incompatibility. That said, I put that engine model number into the new MTH parts site and got the entire electronics listing https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...lists/199?type=lists

There is a chip for an SD-9- AE4500011

And yes, both your engine and that chip are "MAY 1996" and "(SPRING 1996) "

Again, FWIW, our club gets train donations and one recent one was also very early MTH, and through our local shop, we purchased several (obviously matching the model or type) of those updated sound chips and replaced them while replacing the batteries and in some cases, the 9V battery wiring harness that was corroded beyond repair from leaking original white batteries.

Again, those replacements are supposed to be coming also with the latest update, and so far for us, that did make a difference.