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Just got in about $2,000 worth of parts from MTH.  Part of the order was ten PS32 boards.  They only shipped the ones with the white connectors for 3V, still didn't get the 5V black connector replacements.

However, there's a little catch!  It looks like the boards are not really tested!  Why would I say that?

First off, they shipped them separately, the top stacker board and the PS/3 board.  Second, they didn't even bother to take off the little guard on the connector between the boards, so it's hard to imagine they were able to fully test them as they couldn't connect to them!  You can see the guard right in the middle of the connector.

MTH PS32 Bottom Board

The top stacker board also really NEEDS a trim job before you use it.  These leads that are not trimmed flush will dig into the capacitors on the bottom board with the expected consequences, very bad!  I know this from it happening several years ago, only those were already assembled and I didn't think to take them apart and check for stuff like this.  For anyone that's received these, I STRONGLY recommend you properly trim these flush and also assemble the units you got and test them!  I'm currently unpacking all the boards I received and assembling then for a mass test before I declare myself the winner.

MTH PS32 Stacker Board Trim Points

I'm glad we're finally getting boards, but it would have been nice to get boards that were properly assembled and tested before they shipped them!

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  • MTH PS32 Bottom Board
  • MTH PS32 Stacker Board Trim Points
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I have to say I don’t understand shipping a product that could potentially cause an issue.  I used to tell people if you don’t know about a potential issue that is not great but to know we are selling a product which could cause an issue and not address it is wrong.  I am sure MTH is selling these boards at a positive gross margin so why not make sure they function properly.  
In my opinion it is just good business practice to sell quality products but I also never wanted to worry about issues in the field or the potential liability which comes with it.  Again if I didn’t know about an issue not great, but if I did know and didn’t address it that is not acceptable.  Just my opinion.

John,

Jason told me, years ago, that the pin outs for both boards was the same.  I have been removing the 5v connectors (black) from defective 5v boards and installing them in the new 3v boards.  Have done about a dozen so far.  Use a small jewelers screwdriver to pry the connectors up and gently remove them.  There is adequate clearance between the board and connector to gently get the screwdriver in there and twist.

Make sure you install the 5v connectors in the same orientation as the removed 3v connector.

As for not assembling and testing the boards at MTH, that is unacceptable.

Bruce

Last edited by bruce benzie

 

I'm glad we're finally getting boards, but it would have been nice to get boards that were properly assembled and tested before they shipped them!

John,

Jason told me, years ago, that the pin outs for both boards was the same.  I have been removing the 5v connectors (black) from defective 5v boards and installing them in the new 3v boards.  Have done about a dozen so far.  Use a small jewelers screwdriver to pry the connectors up and gently remove them.  There is adequate clearance between the board and connector to gently get the screwdriver in there and twist.

Make sue you install the 5v connectors in the same orientation as the removed 3v connector.

As for not assembling and testing the boards at MTH, that is unacceptable.

Bruce

Sounds like they're already "short timing" it.  No reason these shouldn't be at minimal prepped.

Last edited by MartyE

John,

Jason told me, years ago, that the pin outs for both boards was the same.  I have been removing the 5v connectors (black) from defective 5v boards and installing them in the new 3v boards.  Have done about a dozen so far.  Use a small jewelers screwdriver to pry the connectors up and gently remove them.  There is adequate clearance between the board and connector to gently get the screwdriver in there and twist.

Make sure you install the 5v connectors in the same orientation as the removed 3v connector.

As for not assembling and testing the boards at MTH, that is unacceptable.

Bruce

I know the pinouts are the same, and I know you can pry the old black connectors off, the white connectors off, and swap them.  I've also been doing that swap since these boards were released, that's not news.  That's also not the point!  It's a PITA to swap the connectors, and it's totally unnecessary since the proper connectors exist!  I don't need more time wasters when doing repairs.

FWIW, I assembled all the boards after giving the top board a haircut and then I fired them all up and tested them.  They all tested good, at least in basic operation, so that's a good thing.

For someone like me thats all lionel/ TMCC, this not the news I want while considering expanding to MTH. The only real reason is my MTH veranda I got that someone converted to tmcc and put basic diesel sounds in it. I was going to go MTH to be able to get the veranda sound set. But may just go with ERR turbine sound, I know its not correct, but less hassle

 

Sheesh GRJ. It's almost like someone there doesn't like you? I can't think of any reason for that.

& It's not like they're going out of business or something. 

Maybe you could post a public response like rip out their electronics package.... again? 

I can only guess that they sent you what was available. I would also say that if it's not suitable, send it back for a refund. (Yeah, I know. )

As far as extra work swapping some plastic connector, I'd have to guess that the least of the troubles coming for techs?

I try and back you as much as I can. I just don't like this public rant at this time. I would suggest you take a step back and think about the current world wide situation. If you don't wish to, maybe Lionel will be able to satisfy your needs. I don't wish them any harm. I just think it's about to get tougher for all the importers.

 I feel that Bachmann will be the only source for toy trains in America if things keep going this way. I have been wrong plenty of times so don't take this too seriously. I hope we can stay friends and if not, please take care. Life is too short.

Sheesh GRJ. It's almost like someone there doesn't like you? I can't think of any reason for that.

& It's not like they're going out of business or something. 

Maybe you could post a public response like rip out their electronics package.... again? 

I can only guess that they sent you what was available. I would also say that if it's not suitable, send it back for a refund. (Yeah, I know. )

As far as extra work swapping some plastic connector, I'd have to guess that the least of the troubles coming for techs?

I try and back you as much as I can. I just don't like this public rant at this time. I would suggest you take a step back and think about the current world wide situation. If you don't wish to, maybe Lionel will be able to satisfy your needs. I don't wish them any harm. I just think it's about to get tougher for all the importers.

 I feel that Bachmann will be the only source for toy trains in America if things keep going this way. I have been wrong plenty of times so don't take this too seriously. I hope we can stay friends and if not, please take care. Life is too short.

Really? So covid is another excuse for not doing their job? Really? How many more things can we blame on a virus? I bet MTH was the only one that knew that shipment was coming to them from China, so why the thought that they forced it right out the door to John, dont you think they could have held them for a week or two to test and fine tune and John wouldn't be the wiser but much happier.... these days its way to easy to excuse bad business. I bet some of the business that had to close shop would jump at building these.

Gosh, I wasn't trying to start a fight.  The primary reason I posted was the warning about the top board projections, those will take out the boards if you have anything pressing on the top and don't trim them.  Obviously, I would have liked to have them all assembled and not in kit form, but since they all worked, it's only a minor point.

I know about it getting tough for importers, I happen to be one of them.  Getting my boards hasn't slowed down a lot, but it has cost more with the extra 25% tariff.

@Coalguy posted:

Really? So covid is another excuse for not doing their job? Really? How many more things can we blame on a virus? I bet MTH was the only one that knew that shipment was coming to them from China, so why the thought that they forced it right out the door to John, dont you think they could have held them for a week or two to test and fine tune and John wouldn't be the wiser but much happier.... these days its way to easy to excuse bad business. I bet some of the business that had to close shop would jump at building these.

Who and what are you talking about?

My main point would be that they are going out of business. Maybe that's not clear enough in my post. No excuse? Maybe you could step up then?

There is probably a run on the boards due to the fact that they are biting the dust.  I'm not hearing much about the supply continuing after the closing.  I say that they would be "continuing" the DCS systems development in the announcement, but not much follow-on after that.

Still hoping to get some 5V connector boards.

Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

Well, that's hard to say, but I've never received a board with a little "keeper" across the connector before.   All ends well, at least reasonably well.  Since they are loaded with the typical diesel sound/chain files, they did something I suspect.  I'm guessing they just use the 8-pin connector to power to load the boards and then put them in the bag.  Previously, people were receiving these without the top board, making them sort of useless for replacing a blown PS/2 board.  I'm guessing the top boards came in and they just popped them into the order and shipped them out.

I wonder if anyone else noticed the distinct "barnyard" order when you unwrapped the boards?  I don't know what they were using to build/clean these, but it really reeks.

I wonder if complaining about this is allowed.  I unpacked the two diesel PS/3 boards that I received, and to my dismay, both of them had the end broken out of the connector!  Clearly, the care that used to be taken in prepping these boards is MIA right now!

Yes, they both work, but now I have to explain to the customer than I can't give them a 100% "new" board, they're already "broken in".

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  • mceclip0

Are there any features of the PS32 boards available to techs vs the PS3 boards available to consumers other than swap and plugin capability?

Is MTH taking orders for the PS3 kits?   When I view the product on their website, there is only an Add to Wish List button.   There is a Find it locally tab, but who knows if that is kept up to date.  When I browse MTH's online store, I click on the Command Control icon and it says "no products available." So, do I call Midge?

Last question, do they still discount the boards for MTHRRC members?   How much?

Bob

I wonder if complaining about this is allowed.  I unpacked the two diesel PS/3 boards that I received, and to my dismay, both of them had the end broken out of the connector!  Clearly, the care that used to be taken in prepping these boards is MIA right now!

Yes, they both work, but now I have to explain to the customer than I can't give them a 100% "new" board, they're already "broken in".

Those are reworked boards that were sent back to Thailand.  You can usually tell by evidence of heat sink compound on the bridge rectifier.  Boards aren't typically tested prior to shipment unless the ASC requests them to be pre-programmed.  We are down to two techs (from five) in service and still have a lot of repairs.

@Jon G posted:

Those are reworked boards that were sent back to Thailand.  You can usually tell by evidence of heat sink compound on the bridge rectifier.  Boards aren't typically tested prior to shipment unless the ASC requests them to be pre-programmed.  We are down to two techs (from five) in service and still have a lot of repairs.

That would explain it, too bad they couldn't replace the broken connector while they were at it.  I guess as things wind down, it's not going to get any easier for you guys.  I guess I should be happy they were functional.

@Jon G posted:

Those are reworked boards that were sent back to Thailand.  You can usually tell by evidence of heat sink compound on the bridge rectifier.  Boards aren't typically tested prior to shipment unless the ASC requests them to be pre-programmed.  We are down to two techs (from five) in service and still have a lot of repairs.

I feel for you, Jon.  All of it is disappointing to say the least.

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