PS-2 Up Grade Doodle Bug

No problem at all.

Missabe

Do you live on the Range?

vssmith42@gmail.com

Be sure you have enough clearance.  I did this upgrade.  Unfortunately, the marker lights are a tad larger, and it's hard to drill the "lanterns" without destroying them.

You can use a chip LED to light most markers.  I have a PS/2 one with lighted markers, are the PS/1 markers different?

Initial system was horn, not PS1.  Bulbs were thinner than those in upgrade kit.

You can find really skinny bulbs if you need them, I have some that are only about 1mm in diameter.

Too late now.  Did upgrade many years ago and successfully drilled lanterns.

Proctor

For some reason I cannot get to the sound sets download for my Doodle Bug Diesel 30-2134-1.  So I went to a PS-2 Doodle Bug site.  Still now way to down load to the PS-2 upgrade board.

The 3V B&O Doodlebug file is on this page at MTH: http://www.mthtrains.com/content/30-2707-1

The others did not have PS/2 of any kind, so there is no upgrade file.

Do I have to download the DCS Loader and use TIU, Remote and engine with transformer to get to the file?

AFter downloading from web, you'll need TIU, loco on track, and transformer to do the bob.  You'll also need a cable to connect computer to TIU.  When running the Loader, start program before turning on anything on layout, and follow the steps set out on the computer scree.

If you have a Rev. L TIU, I recommend the USB connection, it's been trouble-free on all the Rev. L TIU's I work with.  The older ones obviously have to have a serial port or a USB <-> Serial adapter.

Can the marker light contacts be modified for better contact? I have had a problem with the front markers. The right one mostly.Any tips?

I presume you're talking about the contact springs?  Just remove them from the holder and stretch them a little and slip them back in.  That's what I do when they don't make good contact.  I'm talking about these contact blocks.

 Oh, I have done that and with no luck. Can the bulbs be replaced or do I need to re-order again?

I'm confused.  It's best if you start your own thread, as I don't really know what you have.  The OP is doing a PS/2 upgrade for a conventional Doodlebug, I don't know what model you have.

You can't use the bulbs that were in the PS1 or horn only Doodlebugs.  You can cut the existing bulb wires and splice the new bulbs that come with the PS2 upgrade kit., or just ignore the spring contacts and plug the new bulbs right into the sockets on the cables from the PS2 board.

The markers for the PS/2 upgrade kit would be the 2mm ceramic LED's, and not bulbs.

Why are you removing the passenger lighting?  My PS/2 one powers them from track power.

I don't think board can handle the load of the passnger lighting.  I left it as is.

Barry,

What you are saying with the PS-2 upgrade installation, I do not need to remove the PS lights.  Just connect the wires to the upgrade?

Missabe,

Why are you asking me questions? I'm not involved in this thread.

Barry and RJR,

I'm upgrading PS MTH 30-2134-1 to PS-2.

Misasbe,

Again, why are you questioning me?

Because have been helping me all along.

From the beginning to mounting of the board and sound set.

I think that you have me confused with someone else.

I think your right.  It was GunrunnerJohn.  Sorry

The lights for the passenger compartment do not get replaced.

If that's the D'bug from the late 90's, that's what I upgraded.

RJR.

1998

That's it.

The only issue I can see here is the lights are likely 12-14 volt bulbs.  When you run command and put 18-19 volts on them, they'll get hot and burn out quickly.  You may have to replace the bulbs with 18V bulbs.  I believe they run off track voltage.

They haven't been a problem for me, GRJ, to date.  Offhand, I don't recall if there's a voltage limiter on them.

I have the PS/2 version, but most of the conventional models don't have 18V bulbs.  Given that it's a pretty inexpensive model, I'd be surprised if they have any kind of regulator.

Please forgive me for asking, but what is a "doodlebug?"

Here you go Terence.

Missabe, I'd put it on the track with the shell off and measure the voltage on the light connections and see if you're getting the full track voltage there.  The User's Manual mentions that the headlight is an 18V bulb, but are mute on what the passenger car lighting bulbs are.  At 18V track voltage, are they really bright and getting hot?

GRJ

Thanks,

If they do, I will instal the lights from the upgrade kit.

I don't think you can.  My recollection is board outputs can't handle more than 2 bulbs.

You could cut voltage 1 or 2 volts.  I upgraded at least 5 years ago and haven't replaced a bulb yet.