Need Advice with Proto 2 repair

I would not replace the board with another 5-volt board---no way!

Question is whether you will do thee work or pay to have it done.  A direct replacement (needs speaker and battery) board can only be obtained from a tech.  For a DIY, a PS3 steam upgrade kit is relatively simple to install:  gut the engine and replace with the kit contents. 

Your short is not in the transformer but in the engine.    The 5V boards are hard to find and if you do find a good one, it is on borrowed time.  I have that engine and put in a 3V board and components that go with it.  Great runner and dependable.

Follow Bobs (RJR) advice.

Either the 3V board or the PS32 replacement board that is available to replace failed PS/2 boards.

Thank you very much Marty, RJR and GRJ.

Does anyone have the actual MTH part number of the PS 32 board. When I put PS32 BOARD in the MTH search form nothing comes up.          j

On the MTH Parts & Sales site I search for "stacker". Searching for "PS 3/2" also works.

https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...earchContext=stacker

@H1000 posted:

On the MTH Parts & Sales site I search for "stacker". Searching for "PS 3/2" also works.

https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...earchContext=stacker

If you turn on "in stock only", you get to see what they actually have.

https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...acker&in_stock=1

One thing I don't see is the plastic carrier for the two-board stack.  Without it, you have to be pretty careful about mounting these and also use something like Kapton tape to make sure they don't separate.

PS-32 set comes with bracket to hold boards together.  G

@GGG posted:

PS-32 set comes with bracket to hold boards together.  G

Not if you buy the two boards individually, that's the only thing they're stocking.

OK But subject was buying stacker set.  I am sure if your bought both and sent note they would include a bracket.  G

@GGG posted:

OK But subject was buying stacker set.  I am sure if your bought both and sent note they would include a bracket.  G

But would they know to send the note- even more so- know the items they needed?

There lies the issue- we have the experience, we know the workaround, we know what we need and how to get it.

The new guy walking into their first repair upgrade job- they have the uphill battle and the current situation with some parts being on shortage or not bundled is yet another challenge for them.

@H1000 posted:

On the MTH Parts & Sales site I search for "stacker". Searching for "PS 3/2" also works.

https://www.mthpartsandsales.c...earchContext=stacker

When one hits "in stock only", there are only 4 items they have in stock! That should be what the basic page shows, in my opinion. The other way, it appears to be the page of a company potentially, going out of business. (I for one, hope not.) Tough to run a parts business without needed parts.

Maybe there are tons of other parts that are in stock and needed. I can't comment on that. but I am certain others can!!

I also notice, there is an MTHTRAINS.COM site (advertised above) and the link goes to an MTHPARTSANDSALES site? Are they two different entities? A little confusing, since I have been away for awhile, it confuses me. I have had recent contact with the latter people, the staff seems to provide great service and response.

Greg

@Vernon Barry posted:

But would they know to send the note- even more so- know the items they needed?

There lies the issue- we have the experience, we know the workaround, we know what we need and how to get it.

The new guy walking into their first repair upgrade job- they have the uphill battle and the current situation with some parts being on shortage or not bundled is yet another challenge for them.

Yea- like not knowing to order a heat sink kit along with a stacker kit......

Bob

@Vernon Barry posted:

But would they know to send the note- even more so- know the items they needed?

There lies the issue- we have the experience, we know the workaround, we know what we need and how to get it.

The new guy walking into their first repair upgrade job- they have the uphill battle and the current situation with some parts being on shortage or not bundled is yet another challenge for them.

Jeez, Lets make a mountain out of a mole hill.  How does anyone fix anything today.  I fix my AC units, refrigerator, cars, trains etc...  How?  I go to internet and search on the problems and find the solution with videos to watch.  I am mechanically inclined that is necessary.

You expect manufacturer to train the entire population on train repairs?  That is why they have ASC.

Parts go in and out of stock.  Diesel kits are back.

For ever since PS-2 3V went obsolete, MTH made it clear that PS-32 boards are the replacement.  Anyone with a little research who is mechanically inclined also can learn same as the MTH PS-3 steam kit.  Which has instructions they can look at.  Including part numbers.  So a little common sense required.  If you're not mechanically inclined, why are you buying expensive parts and trying to fix something you know nothing about.  Unless you're willing to experiment and figure it out.  If so, your mechanically inclined.

You guys are confusing people by elaborate explanations, and side tracks about buying individual parts and assembling them etc... G

@GGG posted:

OK But subject was buying stacker set.  I am sure if your bought both and sent note they would include a bracket.  G

I did buy both a few weeks ago, and they didn't send the plastic holder.  Now, I'll admit, I didn't ask for one as I have a few of them in my parts box, so it wasn't a big deal for me.  My only point was that someone that is not familiar with the ordering process and/or what they'll get would end up without the plastic carrier unless they knew to ask for one.

That's one reason the comments here are useful, now they know they need to ask for the carrier.

I am confused about one thing, if the two boards are available, why aren't they just selling the set like they used to, all together in in the plastic carrier?

@GGG posted:

You guys are confusing people by elaborate explanations, and side tracks about buying individual parts and assembling them etc... G

I would suggest that MTH did some of the confusing by not offering the PS32 package like they used to.

If you have a 5 volt system (nine volt battery) to convert to PS-3/2 you need 5 parts. If you have a 3 volt system, you can delete a new speaker.

PS-3/2 top board 5 volt, or if not available can use the 3 volt version, but the plastic bracket boxes will neeed to be removed and replaced with the original black ones. Delicate process.

PS-3/2 bottom processor board. And don't forget it will have to be programmed unless you pay MTH to do it for you. Will require a separate email.

A new 4 ohm speaker, BF-0000034, and possibly a new gasket set.

The plastic circuit board bracket already mentioned. May or may not need modification depending on space, The 3/2 bracket is slightly wider.

The hardware kit that has the new style heat sink. And will require modification to the new mounting.

Unfortunately, it's not just a plug and play repair.

@Chuck Sartor posted:

Unfortunately, it's not just a plug and play repair.

It is kind of a shame that it isn't, isn't it? Think how many engines could be revitalized/updated it the PS3 module came ready to bolt to almost any tender/diesel base, and came with assorted plugs that could be used to adapt to old wiring.

But that would be too simplistic a fix, and no manufacturer is going to go that route. And, we lose in that respect, but we can't rightfully expect that solution.

John, I do not know why. But I imagine inventory is low and it is manpower intensive.  The 5V top board is out of stock too.  If the "New" Boards are coming from overseas prepackaged your probably not going to do that.  Not sure what you mean by PS-32 kit?

All this generic discussion does come with errors.  Example, BF-34 speaker has not been in stock for quite a while.  That speaker seem to be rare even on open market.  It only comes in the diesel kits and the new diesel kits have a new speaker manufacturer.  Secondly, it is engine dependent.  Some engines use smaller speakers, some use flat, the BF-43 common doesn't fit in all diesels fuel tanks.

The IC-26 kit is the hardware kit for mounting. But even here engine matters.  Engines with 5V boards upside down in engines require unique mounting and heatsink which need to be custom made.  Other engines are almost plug and play.  PS-2 3V premier steam normally.

All these topic have been discussed before at nauseum.   If your new seeking help give the model number, show a few pictures and you can get detailed help.

As far as expectations it should be simple and fully plug and play; not sure that happens in any industry.  MTH is the only one who has tried to make everything backwards compatible.  From PS-1 being upgradeable, to obsolete 5V boards replaced by PS-2 3V with all sound file reengineered, to PS-3 creating the PS-32 stacker so the PS-3 board can run the PS-2 lights and tach.  To trying to fully support parts even for the very first engines made.  Frankly until the remote going obsolete and the new WTIU not talking to a remote, MTH has had the simplest backward compatible architecture to be customer supportive

Heck Lionel Legacy is obsolete and not supported in the early versions; and major portions of parts support has been eliminated.  G   

" MTH is the only one who has tried to make everything backwards compatible.  From PS-1 being upgradeable, to obsolete 5V boards replaced by PS-2 3V with all sound file re-engineered, to PS-3 creating the PS-32 stacker so the PS-3 board can run the PS-2 lights and tach.  To trying to fully support parts even for the very first engines made.  Frankly until the remote going obsolete and the new WTIU not talking to a remote, MTH has had the simplest backward compatible architecture to be customer supportive Heck Lionel Legacy is obsolete and not supported in the early versions; and major portions of parts support has been eliminated."

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This comment seems very hard to disagree with! And that is the little I know. I think we all wish it was even easier, but, so be it.

Greg