Proto 2 circut board problems

Are you trying to run it conventional, or DCS? Do you hear a clicking noise from the tender when power is applied?

Running in DCS only.  With the top off the tender on my test track I can faintly hear some feedback, probably through speaker, but nothing else. Nothing like a click. I checked the wiring from the pickup roller and it's good. I unplugged and plugged in all the connectors too. Circuit boards don't smell fried or anything. Engine runs fine with another tender.

Yes, then it does sound like the circuit board went bad. They just do that for unknown reasons. A forum member, GGG, can sometimes fix them. Does it run conventional? If so and you are using version 4.0 or higher on your DSC, have you tried the recover feature?

Thank you Chuck.  I haven't tried to run it in conventional but on the test track last night I just turned on the Z4000 but not DCS computer.  So I guess that would be conventional mode.  I didn't hook up the engine so I will try that tonight. Gut feeling is it probably will not make a difference.  I'll let you know what happens.  Thanks again.

Your dealers recommendation isn't a choice to upgrade it its a necessity.  The older 5 volt boards aren't available anymore and it needs to be converted to the newer 3 volt board   These are the parts you need

AE000015 PS2.0 Board (3v) (Power) (w/Hirose 5v connector) MSRP 80.00

AE000016  PS2.0 Board (3v) (Processor) (w/Hirose 5v connector)  MSRP 120.00

IC000023 Steam Hardware Kit w/ Speaker and Battery  MSRP 34.00

Ben....I sent a couple of e-mails to you last week....just wondering if you got them??

 

Thanks,

Alan

Not sure if I misread your post, but you want eng and tender connected when you test with z-4000 .  No TIU.  Listen for click and read amps.  Hi or no amps and board may be dead.  U can contact me via profile e-mail for assistance.  G

IMO, this is a total rip!  You can buy the entire upgrade kit for $180 retail, and just pull the connector shells off the old 5V boards and have the board that fits for less money.  If you're a member of the MTH RR Club, it's only $150.  I don't understand why they get more for the boards than the complete kit!  Is there something I'm missing here?

John, always 2 ways to look at it.  Instead of calling it a ripoff  you can call the upgrade kit a gift.  At some point I assume no more PS-2 upgrade kits.  I personally will be shocked if PS-3 kits are not much more costly.  G

OK, we'll call it a gift.   If the PS/3 kits are much more costly, that will probably kill the upgrade market, which may be the desired effect.

 

 

I agree with John. Anyway, this isn't the first MTH steam engine I've had mysterous circuit board probelms. I know all about the Proto 1 three bell clanks. How many of those didn't I have fixed. I don't want to start a long email chain on this but I know it has something to do with the batteries going dead and confusing or damaging the boards. When I know they are going to be shelf queens I disconnect the batteries. I've had no problems with those engines. I missed this one. 

 

I'm confident it's the board(s). It doesn't work with or without the TIU, or in any case in conventional. Changing out the boards and battery aren't rocket science.  I can do it but not all dealers want to sell the parts. They want to do the repair to make the labor charge. I tried to negotiate the repair price with the dealer. I know the repair tech at the dealer has experience and can probably do the swap in half an hour. Don't get me wrong, I'm not mad at the dealer. They have a margin to work off of. I'm miffed at MTH because: MTH's web site is so difficult to use to find parts and I don't even know if I can purchase direct or not. I'll call or email MTH and find out. I miffed that this happens in the first place because these are expensive engines and shouldn't fail so quickly. I wish they had a switch under the tender to disconnect the battery.

 

If I can't get the parts from MTH I'll contact Ready to Roll. They are good about selling parts and usually have a large inventory. You all are great. Thank you so much for advice and help.

Buy an upgrade kit and move the connector shells from the 5V board.

MTH won't sell circuit boards unless an ASC, so as John says get the kit.  You will find it is a little more then a 30 minute job as the boards connectors are not completely in the same location and the mounting is totally different.  So each conversion takes a little time to do it.  Will be some drilling and possibly filing.  Not that is beyond a hobbiest skill level.  You also get the warranty from your tech and while I am sure you don't need it, I am sure it is part of the reason your LHS prices it as such.  Please post how long it takes you from the time you place the engine on your bench, reload sound files, swap connectors, complete the install and test.

 

I will sell board to folks and load the sound file with the dealer loader for naming.  I just need a turn in.   G