Proto-3 Sound sets

You didn't specify what upgrade kit you used.

The firmware (chain files) for the PS/3 steam upgrade is unique to the upgrade kit.  A normal PS/3 steam sound file loads into a different board set that has both tender and boiler boards, they aren't compatible.  The PS/3 steam upgrade expects PS/2 sound files.

The PS/3 diesel upgrade is a true PS/3 board, obviously being a diesel kit, there is only one board.  You can load PS/3 sound files into the diesel upgrade.

I am using a diesel Proto-3 upgraded kit in each of the units with motors.

Did you load the matching chain file for the sound file you picked?

Can you explain your set-up?

Is the TIU connected straight to just this engine? not the whole layout?

What are you powering the engine with? DC?

do you have just one engine loading at a time?

Did you unzip the sound file?

Did the engine run when you finished the upgrade before loading the sound file?

I'm just guessing at things. Sometimes certain boards needed a reset right from the factory. I'm not sure if this would help here now?

A PS3 diesel kit has a true PS3 board and should allow 2M (PS2) or 4M (PS3) sound files and needs the chain files loaded. 

Something is not right here.   

Just asking to be sure; Is the new engine the only one on the track?

You can try loading the PS3 chain files with a PS2 sound file.

Are you using the latest DCS 5.0 loader program??

Picture of the board?  2M memory is a PS-2 3V, not a PS-3 board.  G

1st I want to THANK YOU guys for your replies. My set up for loading is:

My stand alone test track is 3' long & not a part of the layout;

Test track connected to a 6.1 TIU powered by a Radio Shack 18/24 volt Transformer;

I use a Z-4000 for the power and testing my installation;

About 2' of wire is between the test track & the TIU; and

a new update laptop is used for the downloading.

This set has worked without problems for approximately 80 PS-2 upgrades.

The Veranda sound set is shown as a PS-3 set.

I am at a lost??? When Zip Files & Chain Files may be the problem. I know they are mentioned in the Upgrade manual- computer operation is not my strong suit.

As George asked, Are you sure you have a PS3 board and not a PS2 3volt board?

A photo will confirm.

They are the boards that came in the Proto-3 up grade kit. They have the 40 pin connector & 2 big round devices.

Is DCC DCS Switch in DCS Position? G

DCC,DCS switch is not being used. I connected the 2- black wires as per instructions in the Kit. I did not want DCC since I do not use that system.

trains41 posted:

DCC,DCS switch is not being used. I connected the 2- black wires as per instructions in the Kit. I did not want DCC since I do not use that system.

That's what the manual says to do on page 14 pins 1 and 2. It would be interesting if it's wrong. I don't remember ever soldering those together. Maybe mine came with the switch?

You never answered what version of the DCS loader you are running.

The DCS loader I am using is the DCS loader program that is on the MTH site.

A train friend & I have been trying to figure out why I can not down load the chain file & sound file into the 2- power unit in the coal Turbine. We are using the PS-3 sound file for the Veranda Turbine. On one unit when we down load it will go until a message comes up "can not write to sector 932" @ 31% complete. Another time it got to sector 1071 and timed out. If we can get the program to find the other unit I get the following, "application error 3  incorrect EIS magic field found". What is this telling me?

Question - connecting pins 1 & 2 allows DCS down loads, can all other functions on that 40 pin connector be removed and the chain file & sound file be down loaded.  After the down load the 40 pin connector be removed and replaced with the connector that has the functions? The 8-pin connector would be properly attached and plugged in to the board.

Between the 40 pin connector, with very small wire and the above problems PS-3 is fast becoming a PITA!

Again any advise will be appreciated.

Trains41

trains41 posted:

The DCS loader I am using is the DCS loader program that is on the MTH site.

OK, fine.

 It has been on the site for years. Only the newer versions can handle PS3 engines. So I just wanted to make sure you had a newer version.

Load them one at a time, do NOT have the second unit powered when you're loading them.  When one is loaded, power the second one and remove the first one and load it.  Also, for less loading issues, I use DC to power the bench when loading, and that is especially true for PS/3.

This is an update on my PS-3 upgrading experience. I have now managed to load the chain file and sound file into the lead unit of the Coal Turbine, I only need to re-attach the Shell and it is ready to run! In order to do this I had to increase the wire length from the TIU from 4 ft. to 15ft. The 2nd unit is a different story. My normal set up, Z4000, TIU and 4ft. of 16 gauge wire to a 3ft. piece of GarGraves Track with only the engine being loaded on the track. 1st effort on the 2nd unit resulted in a bunch of clanks engine not found, I used the longer wire and the down loading of the Chain file begin running through the sectors and stop when about half way through. Direct hook up to the engine was tried but it did not complete the task. I placed a lighted caboose on the track between the supply point and the engine and was able to go to the reset note, but could not complete the task. I tried many other combinations of track, wire, caboose and engine with none able to complete the down load. The board in this unit starts when powered with 2 series of clanks and will do the same thing when shut down. I have also used DC power but it will not  take it through the reset note.  I am convinced that PS-3 electronics are flawed, MTH needs to develop  something more friendly.  This is not a positive to the hobby. Any thoughts will be appreciated.

Thanks, (Trains41)

The board in this unit starts when powered with 2 series of clanks

Clinks and clanks are a PS1 attribute. PS2 and PS3 do not work this way. Please provide more information.

One thing I've done to improve the reliability of loading sound file on my bench is use pure DC power from a bench supply to power the TIU and locomotive.  That seems even more important with PS/3 for some reason, and since doing that I've had minimal issues loading sound files or chain files.

After loading a chainfile you shut off power and the board will shut down. You should hear a series of Morse code sounds until supercap drains and the board goes silent.  Wait 30 seconds and re apply power.  Wait for the board to do it's checks and it will most likely play more Morse code and than start up in conventional.  Once it starts up load the sound file.  After a flash reload the board check it's old memory against new data to see if there was a change before it loads it and makes it new code.  On a rare occasion the board can become conflicted and bad data set, at this point the board only plays a different Morse code sound and most go back to MTH for a reflash with special loading equipment only MTH has. G

Yep, the first couple I had to learn the raindance of powering down after the load so the board didn't get confused.  That's not well documented, at least in the stuff that I have.

When is a re-load of the chain file required? Is that something that should be done every time you upgrade or change a PS3 file? 

I have updated a couple of PS3 sound files on a couple of my engines and I don't remember anything about the chain files? I have never installed a PS3 upgrade kit of any kind, all were existing PS3 engines.

I am sure I've read about this around here somewhere, probably more than once, but the old mind is blank about it all right now? 

Chain files determine a lot of the hardware characteristics, things like the scale MPH vs tach counts are done in the chain file for PS/3.  They were handled by the sound file in PS/2.   How the lighting works is also controlled by the chain file.

I've noticed with many locomotives that the first thing you see is the lighting works differently.  I was just installing a PS/3 upgrade kit into two GG-1 locomotives, the kits come pre-loaded with an ACe70 sound file.  I noticed the cab light worked differently for that one than the GG-1 chain file.

Thanks, GRJ. That helps in knowing the differences and what to look for if I screw something up.

After 22days of messing with this PS-3 upgrade without a positive outcome  & some discussions with MTH Tech. staff I decided to send the board to MTH for inspection and downloading the desired file. I did try all the suggestions put forth on the forum plus some setups not mentioned. To date I have bought 5 PS-3  Locomotives and 2 have had to go back for PS-3 problem corrections & I am operating at 50% on the upgrading. I hope these % will get better as time moves forward. 

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts!

Hmm...  I've only done around a dozen of the PS/3 upgrades, but I've never had a bad board.  I've had some issues convincing the sound and chain files to load, but in the end all was well.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Hmm...  I've only done around a dozen of the PS/3 upgrades, but I've never had a bad board.  I've had some issues convincing the sound and chain files to load, but in the end all was well.

Hey... me too! Now we have something in common, finally! 

I think I like the PS3 set-up.

someday I should go back and finish this engine!

Gee Joe, I thought that was already out on your layout doing mainline service.   I think you need to get back to that one.