The way you phrased it is depressing: sounds like Jeffrey is saying it's only a matter of time until the board fails.
A Y6B is articulated like the A, but is a mallet, unlike the A. That means, to me, 4 chugs per revolution and they don't sound ever out of sync. I wonder if you could try a sound file from a non-articulated single-coupled loco. Be sure to save the current sound file to a computer first, so you can always reinstall it.
Judging from the number of 5V boards I've replaced in my short tenure as an MTH tech, I'd say that Jeff was probably on target. 
Strank, not Stank:-) G
I was close, my spell checker doesn't know the difference. 
I think Jeff was being more realistic than pessimistic. I’m ok with his reply and it makes sense. I wish his reply was sure, we can do that for you, but that would open up a flood of similar requests. My Y6B’s have been fun to run and reliable. It was MTH, with its Proto Sound 2 sound, which pulled me back in almost 15 years ago. Technology keeps improving with the intention of making these trains more fun. Competition has forced that, along with the need to entice a younger crowd fixated on video games and instant gratification.
Unfortunately, all this technology has made our trains more fragile than ever. One bad de-railment and poof, no more engine. Thankfully, if or when any of my locomotives should fail, there is the capability to fix them, and make them better. $200-$300 is a lot for a repair, not that it isn’t justified, but at least the loco doesn’t need to be put out to pasture.
I haven’t been active in the hobby for over 7 years, and now I’m trying to catch up. My DCS is version 3.10, and has been working fine but I think this might be my first upgrade. Since I haven’t done an upgrade in probably 10 or more years, any help where to start, would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Joe
I think you are "hooter-less" as it were.
At least as far as 5 volt PS-2 is concerned.
If it was me I would swap over to a 3 volt board system and download the newer sound file, but that's me.
I have the Imperial version Y6b with the newer sound file, and while the hooter whistle is unique, I am not crazy about it.
You should definitely upgrade your DCS operating system. You might also consider upgrading the TIU to rev L. It has better circuit protection than the first release and much stronger DCS signal output. It can be purchased separately. Your handheld should be just fine.
Note that the firmware upgrade must be done to both the handheld and the TIU, but its done separately.
Barry's book has a great rundown on how to do the upgrade.
Rod
I agree with updating the TIU to 4.20, but if it's still working fine for your layout, I don't see any reason to spend the money on the Rev. L unit. Run that one until you need a new one.
I hate to admit it in writing, but I agree with GRJ. No point in throwing out a perfectly good TIU to get a Rev L. My layout is on the large size, and still runs contentedly with original issue Rev G's from the birth week of DCS.
I hate to admit it in writing, but I agree with GRJ.
I always love post were people tell other people how to spend their money:-) G
If you haven't downloaded before you may want to see if a LHS can do it for you. They would have the equipment. Otherwise it requires spending some time on the MTH web reading the instructions, downloading the program and the update file and than doing the upgrade. You will need a few cables to connect the TIU to the computer and the remote to the TIU.
Search on this forum will probably also provide more insight. G
I down loaded Barry's book, the first edition, right after it came out. Is there much difference in the updated version? I believe I do have all the correct cables to do a TIU upgrade. That was the only upgrade I ever attempted. Up to that point, DCS was relatively new and very buggy. The upgrade to 3.10 got me on track, and I was fairly happy with how things were working finally.
Right now I own 3 TIU's, purchased over the years, one on the main layout, one for the Xmas layout & one back-up. I'm not sure what version they are, how can you tell? They are probably at least 7 years old. I guess the above reference to Rev G and Rev L are the TIU versions?
I'm going to need a refresher course for the upgrades but I'll probably look into a local dealer to do the TIU upgrade and maybe one or 2 locomotives to get me started. What could I expect that to cost? Not sure what LHS is?
Did a neglect to mention, I also have Lionel Legacy on my layout, but that's another story.
You can look on the bottom of your TIU, if it has no version, it's the original version. Others will have a version sticker. A Rev. L will also have a USB port.
LHS = local hobby shop (which may or may not have the ability to do the job). An alternate is to have another DCS operator show you how. It really isn't difficult, but you do need the cables, one a computer cable, the other an audio stereo cable with plug at each end.
Forumites could walk you through the process. I don't recall if Barry's book, Vol 1, had the procedure. It is the same as the last time you upgraded, except you'll need to download the new Loader program from the MTH web site. The current version actually leads you step-by-step, as I recall.
Not too many local hobby shops around these days, but I do have one 20 minutes from home which I do most of my purchasing from. They do upgrades. Just not sure about the pricing. I can't image it's that expensive.
Barry's book has detailed instructions for doing the upgrade. The only complication is a serial port on your computer, that's as long as you have a Windows system.
And if you don't have a serial port, at Radio Shack get a Gigaware USB-A to Serial Cable. #O8A06
Thanks again guys for the info. I did do one TIU/Hand Held Controller upgrade 7+ years ago (maybe closer to 10 years), so I think I have everything I need. Just need to locate it. I did call Westchester Train & Hobbies in White Plains, NY, my LHS, to confirm that they normally do those software upgrades. They do, so thats where I'll start initially. Maybe I can look over the guys shoulder.
I have never had an LHS do a DCS upgrade, but I think most will do it for free if you are a known/regular customer.
Oh and my suggestion was merely "You might also consider upgrading the TIU to rev L." based on the supposition that your TIU would be an original rev G.
Sorry if it was taken in the wrong context................
It was only my .02 worth.
Rod
I'd be a bit surprised if you find many shops that will do free upgrades! Maybe if you were a REALLY big customer.
By the way, it's been great how generous you guys have been with your suggestions, even though I'm probably just as confused as ever. I love all the electronics stuff, I just wish I understood it more, and wasn't so afraid of working on these locomotives. I happen to be a graphic artist by trade, and more mechanical than technical, even though I work on a computer every day.
Well as far as being a regular customer, I was fairly regular for a 5 year period, and spent probably $4000 to $5000 since I've been going there. That's been over 10 to 15 years. Not that I ever kept track, but that sounds like a lot of money to me.
I haven't been there in months, but I did call to inquire. When they see me, they recognize me and Mike the owner knows me by name. Over the phone, I was told, to upgrade my DCS would be free, and to install a new sound file, $10-$15, which sounds reasonable to me.
I checked my 3 TIU's and honestly, it's not clear what the Rev numbers are. One clearly looks like it reads H1, the other I3 (I think) and the 3rd is a puzzle. Rev .1 or Rev .l (I or L???).
Anyway, I hope to pay a visit on Saturday to my LHS and we'll see how it goes. I'm still lost as to what sound file to try on my Y6B. The 5 volt-3 volt, Protosound 2.0, Protosound 3.0 has my head spinning. I've been looking on youtube for videos and just not sure what I should be looking for. It would have been simple if MTH would update the 5v file!
If you go to the service link than click on product files and documents you will get a service link that can search and show all the engine/files.
you can type in wheel configuration and than use the links on the right to refine your search, by Type RK, PR or HO, road name, catalog, etc....
The sound profile links have a 5V or 3V, showing which type they are.
They work with the correct program. Like trying to use a program meant to work on Windows 8 with an old XP computer. Not compatible.
The loader program won't let you load an incorrect file. G
For 2-8-8-2 Premier engines looks like there is an R2 and Y3 file that maybe different from the Y6. G
Thanks G!
So what would be the advantages to upgrading the TIU's. Even though my layout has been running ok, it's far from perfect. I do have signal issues here and there. I do have 3 Lionel locomotives that don't run anyway near as good as my MTH stuff, either with Legacy or my DCS controller. My 22'x13' layout is simple. 2 joining loops, some passing sidings, a reverse loop and a small yard. I suspect that when I was building, in an effort to address signal problems, the wiring may have created some signal conflicts which any TIU upgrade won't help.
I pulled out Barry's book and will read it again to refresh my memory. I imagine a lot of my questions will be answered there.
The TIUs were Rev G (no label), H, I, and L. If you have one and it works, stick with it. The upgrades are of software, and were designed to add features or overcome bugs.
As to layout design, most important items are to have adequate sized wiring and one drop per block.
As to the spinning head, the original PS2 boards (5-volt) used an 8.4 volt battery. Later, MTH redesigned the board to make it better, and went to the 3-volt board. Now MTH has come out with new hardware, having more capabilities and no battery, and calls it PS3. The PSw boards still function as designed and both PS2 and PS3 operate in harmony.
Upgrading the TIU won't do anything for the Lionel locomotives. If the DCS stuff runs fine, I don't see any reason to upgrade TIU's at this point.
I started reading Barry's book on the train into work today. It's slowly coming back to me.
Another question. What needs to update to have the quillable whistle function?
It is worth updating your TIU to the latest Software. Removes bugs and give some additional feature you may not have like "Recover engine".
Also quillable whistle, but that also needs a board that was flashed with that code and has a QW sound file. Only 3V and PS-3 have the feature.
When I upgrade an engine in a repair, I will use the flash board if the engine has a sound file that support QW. G
OK, so I own the PS2 N&W Class J, and I believe it's one of the first that was released with scale wheels and also can be run on 2 rail. I'm almost sure that was also one of the first 3 volt locomotives. Is that a candidate for the latest sound file and quillable whistle feature?
No that board was not a flash board. It was the later one from 2009 I believe that had that feature. I repaired an engine like yours and added the flash board an the new Sound file. If you go to MTH website and type in quillable whistle in the search box you will see the engines with that capability. G
Hi G,
Shot down again:-(
Do you know if there is at least a newer sound file for that engine and is there any way to sample a sound file, outside of someone's posted video on you tube?
Joe
Hi G,
Shot down again:-(
Do you know if there is at least a newer sound file for that engine and is there any way to sample a sound file, outside of someone's posted video on you tube?
Joe
Here is the Link to the N&W Js on MTH website. Believe yours is 20-3132-1 from 2004. The others are the newer with QW. You can actually load the file, just won't have QW function. G
Thanks!
Looks like #20-3366-1E CAB#604 would be the one. Is it possible to hear the sounds? I don't think the sound file is much different than my 611.
I just went to the MTH website and watched the video of that engine. It's hard to tell, but it sounds like there is some difference in whistle tone and bell sound. I might give it a shot.
Thanks again, Joe
Didn't make it to the hobby store yesterday. Main reason, my Y6B candidate for a sound file update battery was dead and DCS could not find engine. Tried to add, and got all the familiar messages. Installed new NiMH battery and charged it for about 10 hours. Still, no engine to add message. Referred to Barry's book, followed suggestions. It does start conventionally and when I shut down, the sounds stay active for at least 6 seconds. Did the factory reset with conventional controller twice, still same messages. Even reset handheld and TIU, wiped all locomotives out of to avoid address conflicts. Same result. Any voodoo, black magic fix I may not have tried?
Thanks, Joe
By the way, when I reset the loco conventionally, one tap whistle, 5 taps bell buttons, the engine did acknowledge with 2 whistle toots.
I noticed you did a reset of the remote and Tiu. Any id conflicts should have been cleared and the engine should have added if using a programming track or equivalent unlless the dcs signal is low.
the bad news is.... software version 3.1 does not have the recover engine feature which may or may not find your engine. I think it will.
Darn!!
Try a Recover Lost Engine function to see if that finds it.
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