I received word the other day from a local repairman here in NJ that my MTH NJ Transit PCC Trolley with PS2 is dead. He said the board is "fried" to use his terminology.... The item retails for $229. Looking for opinions...just purchase another one or have the board replaced?
Can it be upgraded to PS3?
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what is the item number for the trolley? a PS 3 kit cost around $300.00 plus the repair persons labor, don't know if it's worth it if you have to pay someone to due the repairs for you!If your selling it i might purchase it from you!
How much were you planning on spending on the repair, a ps2 2 3 volt kit cost $180.00 plus labor.If there is a sentimental factor you might want it fixed. I do repairs,and I'm very reasonable!
send me the item number and ill get back to you i'm in new jersey also,
Alan
Here is the item info:
I did not realize the new board was that much...might not be worth it.
if your not getting it fixed how much do you want for the trolly, is the paint and shell in good shape? I would be interested in purchasing it from you if you don't want to fix it.
Alan
Based on the prices of new and used PCC's I would not invest "more" into this item, especially a PS3 board. IIRC there were PCC's in the last MTH catalog and they would have PS3 and the street price will be less than $300 since MSRP is $229 and due to ship May 2015.
http://www.mthtrains.com/30-5134-1
Alternatively, keep your eye open on ebay and the other auction sites because the PCC's come up regularly. If an auction site PCC PS2 version is not your road name, you can always swap the shells, then sell the inoperable unit and shell for parts or possibly put in a basic e-unit for conventional fwd/reverse.
I agree... I do specifically want a NJ Transit PCC though...my sons had a blast with it growing up and they are big NJ Transit fans.... what are the odds of MTH making a PS3 run of the NJ Transit PCC?
Not sure where the $300 price for a kit comes from. News to me.
A replacement board would be a PS-32 like PS-3 kit. It is pricy. The good news is you can probably buy a Ps-3 version, load the PS-2 3V NJ sound file and swap shells (hopefully).
The choice to upgrade a unit like this usually comes down to sentimental value. Gift etc.... G
PS3 upgrade kit for $300? That sounds a bit high. You can buy a brand new PS3 RK engine for about $300.
Interesting idea of swapping the shells...this did not occur to me...Have to investigate this....
If the motor operates I think there is a way you can convert it to a non-sound runner using a cheap E unit. Lot cheaper than a new PS2 much less a PS3.
Lew Schneider
My Red Arrow Brill did the same thing. It was a early PS2 and I went to run it and it started smoking. I sent it to MTH and still waiting. They have always been reasonable on repairs but if it will cost too much I'll probably just tell them to keep it lol.
I dont know where you took your item too but I brought mine to a hobby shop in NJ and they said the same thing. I sent the boards to Mr. GGG, george and he took care of me by repairing the board and another that he took care of for me. GGG is great to work with and is very fast too. When I took my loco to the hobby shop he didnt even have a TIU to down load or reset everything so you have to watch. Again GGG is great. Joe
I'd get it back Gene, you can at least sell it and recoup some of the money for that new PS/3 version. 
Someone will spend the money and do something with it.
shurlock1, it's probably a long shot to repair the 5V boards, I think George will tell you that as well. Occasionally you'll find one that can be fixed, but most are really dead when they die.
Had that happen to a couple of these streetcars and bought a simple solid state reverse unit and light kit from Dallee for about $50. The kit is easy to install, soldering the lighting wires took a little patience and it has no sound but runs great.
Subway cars can be repaired with the PS-32 board, and because many folks have fond memories of them and some items are unique, they get them repaired.
I discount the parts, and labor is less for a PS-2 repair then an upgrade that requires more work changing to PS-3 items. G
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