New F-3 PS-2 Upgrade Sound File

GGGOGR Forum Member

For those folks who have upgraded older PS-1 F-3 (also F-7/E-6) to PS-2 there is a new sound file being posted to the MTH web site to allow the Number Board Lights to be controlled by the Ditch Lights connector and left on.

Early units used a CV board, but this did not allow full function control of lights via DCS. If you attempted to use the older sound file, ditch lights could be used, but when turned on they still flashed when the horn is used.

The request to modify the sound file has been answered and the BO and NYC files have been updated so far.

The PS-2 5v versions of these units also did not use the sound file to control Number boards. Instead a patch panel is used that tripled up the interior cab light with the 2 number boards. So even those files would not work with the earlier units.

By using the PS-1 harness you can bring 3 signals back to the Trailing Dummy A and have coupler, Reverse light, and Number Board control using Ditch 2.

For later models that had the MARS light also, that function does work too.

Hope this info helps folks who desire the full function control. G

10/24/127:55 AM

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dkdkrdOGR Forum Member

First, I want to thank George (GGG) for an excellent conversion of my PS1.0 B&O F3 to PS2.0. HIGHLY recommend his service!

The new F3 sound file became available after the engine had been returned to us. So my wife (the geek of the family) and I, with George's excellent counsel helping us, decided to try downloading the file ourselves.

That said, however, my wife encountered a problem that should be shared.

First, you should know that we're not DCS people. We run conventionally on our layout. But, to do this download we were able to borrow a DCS system. I also have a copy of Barry's new Companion, version 2, wherein he suggests first uploading/storing a copy of the old file. His book's guidance, screen images, are based on MTH's DCS Loader program version 2.2.

Well, don'tcha know, they currently have a version 2.3 on their website....and it doesn't have provision for uploading an existing file. So, forgetting that step, my wife, Deb, tried downloading the new sound file. She was met with an error message insisting that we had a 5volt system incompatible with the 3volt file. Not so. The PS2.0 George installed was clearly a 3 volt system. Two additional files were attempted downloading with the 2.3 Loader, all of which were aborted with the same message.

Deb searched the MTH site and found a version 2.2 of the DCS Loader. She then tried uploading the existing file following Barry's instructions. It worked!!! So she decided to download the new sound file...AND IT WORKED!!! The Loader properly acknowledged it was loading into a 3volt engine! And the sounds and light functions are superb!

So, at this point we would wonder whether there is a glitch in the 2.3 version of the DCS Loader??? If you encounter the same problem, you might try what Deb did.

We're VERY happy with the 'new' engine. However, it may have been an unexpectedly expensive adventure! (NOT for George's contribution, mind you.) But, now that Deb has 'tasted' DCS and worked through an issue, she wants a DCS system 'to play with' herself.

I believe Christmas has come early at our house this year!

10/27/128:59 AM

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Barry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

So, at this point we would wonder whether there is a glitch in the 2.3 version of the DCS Loader??? If you encounter the same problem, you might try what Deb did.

By any chance, do you have a BCR in the engine instead of a battery?

Also, as an FYI, MTH has stated that they will return the downloading function to the next release of the Loader Program.

10/27/1210:06 AM

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gunrunnerjohnOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

Also, as an FYI, MTH has stated that they will return the downloading function to the next release of the Loader Program.

When might we expect this "next" release?

10/27/1211:23 AM

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dkdkrdOGR Forum Member

Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

So, at this point we would wonder whether there is a glitch in the 2.3 version of the DCS Loader??? If you encounter the same problem, you might try what Deb did.

By any chance, do you have a BCR in the engine instead of a battery?

Also, as an FYI, MTH has stated that they will return the downloading function to the next release of the Loader Program.

Nope. We use BCR's in all of our Proto 1's, but have never felt the need to do so for the PS2.0 engines.

Re the upload (download?...whatever...making a copy of the file already in the engine...your Companion 2nd ed., page 141, first sentence)...I'm not sure it would ever serve us any purpose, but I can imagine others might have found it useful.

10/27/1211:30 AM

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Barry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

John,