MTH W M H-9 20-3550-1 ps3 board problems

I had a similar issue with a ps 32 board from a kit would not run in conventional but DCS worked fine. did you try resending the flash codes to the board from loader program, I also had the same engine not take a reset factory in conventional , but I was able to get a factory reset in dcs mode and board then took off and is still working!

P.S. I would also try reflashing the flash files to the board. if after you try all these things I would send the board back to mth and let them reload the original memory files that only they can do that , possibly might fix it if all else fails!

Forget about flashing the boards, I think this sounds like a supercap issue.  My first step would be to examine the supercap connections, if all looks good, I'd replace them.

If super cap bad my experience is the engine starts up immediately.  I would make sure all connections are good and make sure no caps or components have fallen off the tender board.  I would reload flash code followed by sound file to see if that corrects issue.

No special memory files for PS-3.  They can certainly load the flash and SF with special test fixture if the file corruptions locks the board up for DCS program loads, but it you can access it via DCS and if it links with loader, no need to send back to MTH unless under warranty.  G

Thanks, John,

Will examine the supercap connections and overall external condition of the supercaps this afternoon.  I reloaded the flash code and program files, no change.  Will also check ALL connections and individual pin connections of the wires in tender.  As is, this condition is unacceptable for Museum use.

Bruce

When you start this up in DCS and have sounds.  Turn off track power.  Does it play shut down sounds?  If yes the Supercaps are fine, but the board has issues.  If no, the supercaps one or both may be bad. G

sounds disappear.  Most probably supercaps.  Will find specs then order supercaps.

Not surprised Bruce.  The caps are 2.7V 5uf caps, the ones on the board I'm looking at are NESSCAP brand.

Here they are on Digikey: ESHSR-0005C0-002R7, $2.41/ea.

Thanks for the supercap info, John.  George - starting up in DCS with 18 VAC on the Z-4000, it shows a small current of between 0.4 an 0.6 A. , no sounds.  Pushing the sound button on the remote, and verifying the sound is on does not produce sounds.  Have to do a feature reset to get sounds.  Upon turning off track power, the shut down sounds are present.  Any restart in DCS - no sounds.  Starting up in conventional does not produce sounds.  It runs, forward, reverse, no whistle or bell, no sounds.  While in neutral -I  do a factory reset (1 whistle, 5 bells) no confirmation code, no sounds.  I suspect the supercaps are fair to weak - not ok.  Once while in DCS, feature reset, run awhile and DCS shutdown, it starts back up with sounds.  If I wait 1 hour and try and restart in DCS - no sounds.  This leads me to believe there is a problem with the supercaps, not total failure, but weak.  Will order the supercaps and replace, then let you know what I find.

thanks, John, George

Bruce

The sounds are not working because the engine is not saving the setting when shutting down, once you changer the super cap and after you do a factory n feature reset all should work fine from that point on. you should also check the power off and see 5 to 7 seconds sound on before shutting down Bruce! same as ps 2 3 volt or five volt boards all settings are saved on shutdown as long as there is enough power left to complete shutdown cycle and saved!

Alan

Before you replace CAP make sure not bad solder Joint.  Reflow solder.  Also, need to figure which is bad, otherwise replace both.  A voltage check across each cap should let you know if one is dead.  G

They appear to be in series, so the voltage may be a red herring.

You can measure across each capacitor individually.  G

I know George, but if one is bad, the uneven charge may be a fooler, that's my only point.

Update 10/04    Installed both supercaps, made sure mounting holes on board were open so I get a through board attachment of both leads on each super cap.  Checked solder joints after installation. Powered up in DCS, no sounds.  Did a feature reset, sounds came up.  Test ran on test track in DCS, all functions worked after the 'feature reset'.  Turned off track power, as GGG suggested, and shut down sounds were there.  Restarted in DCS, sounds were there on startup.  Tested again in DCS.  Shut down DCS using the shut down button on remote.  Restarted in conventional.  Sounds  not there.  Finished the day testing in DCS mode.   Fast  Forward 24 hrs.  Placed locomotive on my layout and started up in DCS mode - sounds were present.  Ran for approximately 30 minutes - normal, no adverse currents present.  Normal DCS shut down, then ran in conventional - NO sounds - drat!!!!  Looks like something in the tender board is not routing sounds to ON position in conventional start up.  That does it - this locomotive is not suitable for Museum operation.  Thanks for the help.

Bruce

I would now try a conventional reset  both feature reset n factory reset last! that may correct the sound issue!

Bruce don't forget in conventional the sound could be turned down with the volume pot!