MTH Proto Couplers. What's the difference?

I think the Protosound couplers ran on higher voltage than PS2.

If that's the case then there would be a different number of windings in the respective couplers. Which would give either a slightly higher or lower resistance, depending on whether the voltage was 5V or 3V. 

If my assumptions are wrong one of the Techs please correct me.

Regards,

Mike

They do have different ohm readings.  PS-1 couplers will not fire or fire reliably with PS-2 or 3.  The Proto 2 coupler has lower resistance and is the same as a PS-3 coupler.  G

@GGG posted:

They do have different ohm readings.  PS-1 couplers will not fire or fire reliably with PS-2 or 3.  The Proto 2 coupler has lower resistance and is the same as a PS-3 coupler.  G

Is there a way to test fire a PS 2 ( and I  guess PS 3 being the same )  with a battery  before installing it on my PS 2 /3 volt Railking Triplex . 

I have several proto couplers from PS2 and PS3 and on the Triplex I just need about another almost 1/16 inch  for sufficient side to side clearance from the ladders .

   The Triplex coupler has the flat U shaped piece ( electro magnet trigger ? )  that is wider than the coupler body .   A couple of the spare proto couplers I have do not have these flat U shaped pieces making them sufficiently narrower.

Possible to battery test fire and substitute ? 🤔

Unplug the coupler from the board and use a male 2-pin connector attached to a 9v battery or DC power supply to apply a momentary shot of voltage to the coil.

Thanks Jon.

Do you think the narrower coupler, that must have the U shaped "trigger ?" internally, would be safe to connect to the board on this Triplex ( 30 -1337 but reintroduced as a 30-1531E-1 in a 4car & caboose set ) if it tests out OK ?

It's simple, there are two types of couplers, the PS/1 couplers that have a resistance of around 5-7 ohms, and the PS/2 & PS/3 couplers that have a resistance of between 2-3 ohms.  Also, if you look on the bottom of the couplers, the PS/2 and PS/3 couplers have a flat area with a patent number, the PS/1 couplers have no patent number.

There aren't three types of MTH couplers, only two.  They are not interchangeable.

PS/1 couplers are also compatible with TMCC.

Thanks John.    Going to switch to the narrower  coupler which also has the patent number.

If PS/1 couplers are compatible with TMCC, are Lionel Electro-couplers compatible with PS/1 Driver boards?  I've pulled several PS/1 boards to replace with ERR Cruise Commanders but thought I might use the PS/1 boards in older Williams Engines and add Lionel electric couplers.

Yep, you can interchange those freely, they have the same impedance and run from track power.  PS2/3 couplers are NOT compatible with TMCC or PS/1.

Thanks John. Thought so but wanted an expert opinion.