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My PS-3 upgrade board finally made it into my MTH RDC Budd car. This is the project where my goal was to add smoke to the otherwise smokeless unit. All was going well, the sound file was loaded, and the unit fired up with lights and sound! You all know the old cliche, "If it works, don't fix it". Well, I don't always practice what I preach! I removed the cab, so I could switch around some lighting. I did NOT care for MTH's color-coding for the LED applications, so I did a trial and error! Oh yeh, ERROR! I cooked a component, that you can obviously SEE without any Tech testing! Just powered it up, and NO sound, NO lights......... POOF! There are two different images attached. I couldn't decide which showed more?

So here's the REAL issue for me, I can replace the cooked PS-3 with another, or even use a PS-2, BUT and this is the MOST important part of this post, WHAT CAUSED THE SHORT ORIGINALLY??? I do NOT want to ruin another board for the sake of succeeding with my project! I looked this project over and over, the ONLY possibility could be metal filings that ended up on the SPEAKER base (magnet) and MAYBE created a bridge to one of the speaker terminals? I'm reaching with this theory, but I want you all to have all the facts.

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  • PS#-burn1
  • PS#-burn2
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GRJ, As for the model#, all's I know, it's a 50-1912 Upgrade Kit directly from MTH over a year ago. I'd gladly try to swap out the component, if I knew exactly what it is? I haven,t pulled the PS3 board out of a spare loco yet, as the cooked component (Mosfet?) is to bad to read any markings. Then after I look at the good board, maybe I'll be able to search on Digi-Key? Thanks for your thoughts GRJ!!!

OK, that's the diesel upgrade kit.  The board is actually almost identical to the PS32 board, they based off the same design.  I'd probably try to find a dead board and salvage that component from it and see if you could revive it.  Note that it's a fairly fine pitch SMT part, so if your soldering skills aren't up to it, you might want to send it somewhere to make the attempt.

GRJ, thanks as always! Strange course of events. I switched out the PS3 for another PS3 Upgrade and, the results are GREAT! I wouldn't be surprised if my first PS3 wasn't defected from the git go! The second board performs like it should! The first one took 17 volts to maintain a constant speed, whereas the second board needs 12 volts for the same performance!!! Which is more consistent with my other engines. I might give MTH Service a shot, in the event they may agree with a my thoughts? The part number on the case of the good component, is "189L" , I'll have to see if I can cross that with any results?

@GGG posted:

Buy the component new and try replacing.  May work but may not.  Also those pad are very easily damaged and lifted.  You may have crushed a wire unintentionally.  G

If we knew what component it was, buying would be an option.  I don't see a label on it, and finding it on the ASC PS/3 parts replacement list I'm not having any luck either.

Update: With the help of GRJ, I ordered and received the blown part! Removed it, causing harm to a trace, made the necessary repair, soldered in the new part, and bingo, the PS3 is up and running like new! No one is more surprised than me, as I thought for sure,it would have needed more than one component. Thanks Guys!!!

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