MTH PS2 5v System upgrades

right now there are direct replacement boards available to techs.

PS3 Steam and diesel kits are available to everyone right now.

Pete

Okay. Enough clues provided so I was able to track down a MTH repair center near me that does the conversions. 

It probably isn't something I can do myself anyway. The debate now is whether to wait for the failures or just invest the money now....

Tom

It sounds funny but I would wait for them to fail. As long as they aren't acting up, I would just enjoy them.

I did say that the boards were available right now. I didn't mean that you have to buy them.

If it ain't broke don't fix it. I have kits on hand in case mine do break but haven't yet had to use any. Its not like they will take out the motors or smoke unit when they do fail. Pick up some kits now that they are available. They may be out of stock when you really do need them.

Pete

It may be a while be a while before I run them enough to fail..if they do.

Buying the kits and keeping them handy sounds like a good idea.  Perhaps I will have one updated now. I don't know what is involved with changing them out, but I would probably have the Q done as it is the most intricate...and biggest.

Thanks for the input guys.

Tom

That sounds like a plan, Tom!  I'm going to wait until mine fail, but getting one done now is a good idea too!  See what someone will charge you, then make your final decision.

Tom, If you join the MTH club you can buy the kits at a discount. I think the discount on one kit will pay for the club dues. Buy them all at once and you will save more.

Pete

All great advice! Thank you guys...

Tom

There are 2 ways to go.  1. Buy an upgrade kit.  2. Techs can get 3 volt boards that are direct replacements, with a couple of pther changes needed, like battery clip and speaker.  You might as well not bother changing until they fail.  It's not life-threatening.

Do not do anything.  Things will evolve over time and there are way to repair your engine.  Just make sure your using a tech that knows what they are doing.  This is not an upgrade, it is a replacement repair and that is different, especially if the 5V board is in the engine for steam.

Diesel is easier, but steam has variations model to model.  If they run, leave them alone.  G

Over the years before the PS32 boards I have been changing my 5V to 3V boards with the corresponding speaker and battery.   MTH was making PS3 V boards with 5V connections.  I have several of those.  I have several 5V boards that are good and do not feel  confident enough to sell them to anyone.   George made a good point.  Be careful in choosing the right person to do your work.  Many folks feel if someone owns a train store they automatically know what they are doing.  Not always so.

Thanks again for the input. I am usually a person who does not fix something unless it is broken but the discussions about 5v vs 3v systems stuck with me for some reason. 

I will likely not get enough time on my engines for a possible failure to occur as I don't have a layout yet. It really isn't an "issue" but rather a interesting discussion.  The fact that such kits are available tells me it is a situation that happens enough to get MTH to address the issue.

I would imagine there are MTH owners who have changed 5v to 3v just to improve the odds of a failure not happening. That's okay, if you have the money. Seeing that it really is not a "upgrade", in will let the idea slide for now. 

Again I appreciate all the discussion. 

Tom

Just run them until they drop.

John is correct.  When they drop, we now have options.

I thought I was correct:-) G

We're just not totally sure about you George.

I think you and Marty have something going on..... G

George, I have a don't ask, don't tell policy, so you'll never know!