Not PS-2 but locosound trouble

This engine had so many issues it was hard to figure were to go next. I found that the smoke unit motor did not work for the most obvious reason. Bad motor. The problem with motor drive was one of the pins in the engine plug was broken. I tested the board in the PS-2 tester. Forgot you could do that. The board worked for a short period of time but every time the motor started up there was a loud squeal in the speaker for maybe 10 seconds or more.  After a couple of direction changes it went up in smoke.

At the customers request I wired the engine for conventional operation using a Lionel 103 e-unit. No sound. Wired the smoke unit to a constant 6 volt board. Used two diodes in series with the smoke motor to slow it down to a reasonable speed. Smoke output was poor. Opened up the smoke chamber and it looked like a lost wax experiment. Getting the smoke output at a decent level will be next. There is no way I am going to charge for the amount of time put into this.

We had agreed before hand on a price limit and not to replace the Loco-sound board due to the cost but wow what a mess. I have done these conversions multiple times but never has one bit me like this one. Should have stuck to the original plan but thought how surprised and happy he would be to have it work as designed after hearing the sounds working. Was it worth the try. Sure was.  If not for anything else just for the experience.

Forest