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6 replies

Need advise, please

superwarp1superwarp1OGR Forum Member

as some of you might of seen I have a F3 ABA diesel that was originally proto1.  Which I plan to detailing and converting to PS3. With both A units with their own PS3 boards.  Instead of one ABA unit I'll have two separate Independent A units. Which I can run as a ABA lashup, just a A unit, AB unit, or what have you.

question is what to do with the tether between the powered and dummy units? Keep it, get rid of it? The idea was to keep it so the two A units could share uninterrupted power as these engines only came with two pickup rollers per A unit.  To avoid issues Through turnouts, crossings, etc. Any issues with DCS signal for the two PS3 boards, is the space between pickup rollers acceptable and I don't have to worry?

F3 project

Last edited by superwarp1
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Engineer-JoeEngineer-JoeOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I believe Barry is correct. That is a large harness just to carry 2 wires though.

 It maybe extra work. I would look into adding rollers if each engine does have any issues. I would like to do away with the tethers. It would make handling the units much easier if they go on and off the track. If they have a dedicated siding to park on, then that maybe not worth it?

 I just started running an ABA set that I have. I really hate that the sound only comes from the lead A unit. Handling them with the large tethers is cumbersome. I will make a siding to keep them parked on. If I had the extra cash, I would prefer full systems in each unit.

gunrunnerjohngunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

One minor point, I'd add a PTC resettable fuse on one end of the tether.  This protects the wiring if you happen to derail and one roller on one end gets on the outside rail.  I do that whenever I share power between a tender and the locomotive.  I also add them to passenger car wiring so one roller on the outside rail won't cook the internal wiring.  I've fixed a few that had that happen.  I use a 1.1A hold PTC that trips around 2A.  The trip is fairly slow, so normal running is very unlikely to trip it if you lose contact on one end, but a short will quickly trip it.

G GGGOGR Forum Member

Gary,  As an alternative answer.  With F-3s you do not have to worry.  Even MTH PS-2 ABA with slave doesn't share AC power between units.  Each A unit picks up power on its own.  Having said that, it won't hurt and since you are using the original 4 wire PS-1 tether your going to be fine.  It is more about eliminating a tether for appearance and convenience...or a smoke unit in the B- Unit.   G

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