Preps for powering up relatively new PS2 loco's after 16 years in storage

Eastside has a large selection and are rated highly by their customers. It appears to be an excellent place to start. I would take a couple of engines with me and ask their opinion in person.

Good luck.

If it were me and the engines were stored properly, I would first determine if the locomotive has the 8.4v battery that looks like a 9v battery. If it has that battery I would replace the battery then put it on the track and gently raise the up the voltage. If it has the battery pack that looks like two AA batteries wrapped in plastic I would not do anything. I would just put it on the track and again gently raise the voltage that very first time. I'm just telling you what I would do. I don't know of any break-in procedure for electronics that haven't been used in 16 years.

Disclaimer: since there is a possibility of 5 volt boards here do not blame me if something blows up. There's no rhyme or reason when those boards go bad.

Congratulations on making it to retirement. I wish you a happy and long retirement.

The fellas at Eastside should know what they’re doing, so let them make the recommendations. Obviously first & foremost is to replace any aging batteries, give them a thorough cleaning, fresh lube job, and replace traction tires, ( get new spares while you’re there ) ……be advised, any MTH PS2 with the 5V system ( 9V type rechargeable battery) is potentially on borrowed time…….Im sure their repair shop knows, and can advise you of a replacement plan if any of your machines are so equipped……

Pat

I just love the new train smell. Welcome back!

Without taking them apart, there is an easy way to tell which battery is in there....for some of them.

A round charging jack indicates on voltage of battery, a rectangular charging jack indicates the other type of battery. (I am so old, I forget which, I am sure someone will chime in.)

There are some PS2 engines with no charging jack....good luck with those. (see above comment)

It would probably be far worse, if you had PS1 engines.

ALSO.... that comment, "be advised, any MTH PS2 with the 5V system ( 9V type rechargeable battery) is potentially on borrowed time" has gotten me thinking about some things!

1) if an engine is opened up, and a "9v imposter" is in there (the 5 v system) then I am betting one does NOT want to insert a normal, 9v rechargeable battery in there!! I assume, that would fry it all!?

2) if one owns a 5 v system, and it eventually does fail, can someone comment on the logical options?  I assume the guts could be stripped out and the engine used as a dummy. I guess, that some tech on here, or a LHS if there is one around, could "update" the engine with new boards - but for some cheaper PS2 F7 is it economically viable?

Perhaps someone more educated on this than me can start a thread on this. Happy trails, Greg

@cngw posted:

2) if one owns a 5 v system, and it eventually does fail, can someone comment on the logical options?  I assume the guts could be stripped out and the engine used as a dummy. I guess, that some tech on here, or a LHS if there is one around, could "update" the engine with new boards - but for some cheaper PS2 F7 is it economically viable?

Perhaps someone more educated on this than me can start a thread on this. Happy trails, Greg

There are guys on this forum (GGG, GunrunnerJohn) that have successfully repaired the 5v boards. I don't believe it is possible to repair those boards 100% of the time but depending on the damage sometimes they can fix them by replacing the failed components.  Upgrading to PS3 is always an option but a more expensive option.

@Frankelly1 posted:

Looking to get back into my trains after a 16 year hiatus as I am approaching retirement. I have (7) MTH PS2 Diesel, Steam, and Electric locos.

They all have very little running time on them as a matter of fact. I have recently unpacked and visually inspected them and they look to be in perfect condition - they smell brand new actually.

I am a little nervous about firing them up right now for fear of frying out a board due to any potential battery issues.

My gut says to give them a check-up  at Eastside Trains in Kirkland, WA which is just down the road from me.

Lastly, I'm thinking of holding off in updating my TIU and Remote to the latest 6.10 version until my loco's have been checked and are good to go.

Appreciate any insights from the MTH experts on my plan-of-attack to get these back into operation.

Thanks, just rejoined OGR, look forward to interacting with everyone!

Welcome back!
Lot's of solid advice above. I'd do the same, swap out the batteries for new BCR's. Do a full service and lube all of the required points. A list of model numbers here would help provide more precise answers too.

For @cngw....

PS2 5v have the small round charging port on the bottom, PS2 3V have a small 2-pin rectangular plug.

I have many older PS and PS2 5v engines and they are all reliable runners. Yes the 5v boards can fail but so far I haven't had one emit the magic smoke. Replacement options range from upgrading to PS3, to converting the engine to conventional. I've started putting Lionchief and Flyerchief boards in loco's that I want to upgrade on a budget. I do my own upgrades and as my wife reminds me, my labor is free so......

Once you test out the engines update your TIU to the latest revision and you should be good to go.

What are the layout plans?

Bob

Hi — I would replace every battery in all of the engines with BCRs.   I am not a tech person, but have replaced more than 20  engine batteries with BCRs and for 95% of them it was a relatively simple process.  Take the “ shell “ off of one of the engines and have a look .  Or let your local train dealer do them . It usually takes 10 to 15 minutes from start to finish.

Replace all the batteries. Period. With BCR's or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. Get rid of the Nicad batteries. Any battery 15 years old is too old.

Remove any old and dries grease and oil. Grease and lube the engines.

My thoughts on 5v proto 2 engines. Run them until the break. upgrade at that time.

@RSJB18 posted:

For @cngw....

1) Replacement options range from upgrading to PS3, to converting the engine to conventional.

2) Once you test out the engines update your TIU to the latest revision and you should be good to go.

3)What are the layout plans?

Bob

Bob, thank you for the reply. As for the 3 items you mention above:

1) Some of my PS2 5v engines are F3 that came in sets. Engine, Z1000 & controller, 4 cars, 12 track sections, lock on & wires for $250...how could you pass that up!? I probably bought 4 sets back in the day.  But, even with headlight, working couplers and all that, they were cheap engines/shells. Could be more than they are worth if/when they die. They were PS2, better and more realistic than PS1....that was all I cared about. As close to running a real train as one could get back then, for the money.

I have enough conventional that I do not run now, so that is not an option. PS2 spoiled me, I can't go back. Kind of like going from dial up, to DSL, to FIOS..no return!

2) All of my PS2 work with my older TIU and handheld...just about flawlessly. I will probably not invest in the time and trouble to update. My version 4.2 does well, until it does not, it will do. That version was installed on my unit by none other than Rich Foster.

3) Layout plans have moved like molasses in January. I am just now wrapping up track/switch/accessory wiring - something that has taken me 3 times as long to do as I anticipated. It has been 12 years since I last put up a board....I have forgotten as much as I remember. Thanks for asking. My early post on track layout appeared here, if you are interested.  https://ogrforum.com/topic/and...0#185988372930734110

The last iteration of the track plan is below.  Maybe by tomorrow, I will be putting down houses and the like, and can get done before Santa arrives.

I appreciate the help and advice, chime in anytime - please!     Greg

Add another thing in the check  The 5volt boards have speakers that the plating around the magnet starts to deteriorate  That plating can land in some bad spots    The speakers might also need replacement besides the batteries   Feel safe and bring them to a tech  It would be much cheaper in the long run

@bluelinec4 posted:

Add another thing in the check  The 5volt boards have speakers that the plating around the magnet starts to deteriorate  That plating can land in some bad spots    The speakers might also need replacement besides the batteries   Feel safe and bring them to a tech  It would be much cheaper in the long run

Good point Ben. I forgot about the speakers.

Bob

Many earlier 3V PS/2 engines also had the STAR speakers that have the chrome plating flaking off.  If you see any flaking on any speaker, do NOT power it up until you replace the speaker!!!

Thanks everyone for their valuable advice! I went to Eastside Trains this past weekend and they checked out 2 of my PS2 locomotives (CNJ Imperial Camelback; Premier AEM-7). I am replacing the Camelback with a BCR and the AEM-7 is fine. They were very helpful.