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125 replies

PS-3 Upgrade Kit

C CRHOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by PaulG:

The reason I am interested in the PS-3 upgrade is that I have a number of the original protosound and non-protosound (whistle and horns) engines.  Of these, there are a couple of the higher priced premier engines that I really like and the cost of a PS-3 upgrade would be a small percentage of the cost of the engine.  I certainly would not waste the cost of an upgrade on an engine that only cost me a couple of hundred dollars to start with.

However, there are a couple of other reasons that I would like to upgrade to PS-3 and eventually have an all-PS-3 stable of engines.  First off, I don't want to reply on a battery being charged determining whether I scramble the electronics board to the point where it must either be reprogrammed or, worse yet, it becomes unusable.  I have worked in a hi-tech environment all my life and have loved it, but that doesn't mean that I want to have to worry whether my engines will go "off into the weeds" when I put them on the track after an extended period of time.  This can happen with old protosound engines.

That brings me to my second point... Eventually all my trains are going to end up with the grandkids.  The grandkids are not going to have the background (and version knowledge) to understand how these engines have to be treated to avoid possible catastrophic results when they drag them out years from now.  I can see a lot of these engines not running when they first put power to them and a lot of them finding their way to the trash bin.  Hopefully, with PS-3 and the absence of a battery, they will at least run.  I guess the days of dragging an old 1950's era train set out of the closet and expecting it to run are gone with many of this generations engines... hopefully, PS-3 might alleviate some of the potential problems.

Oh well, enough rambling... When I start these "trains of thought", I usually have an idea in mind initially and then end up on a "side track" wondering what the heck I was going to write about.  I hope I at least expressed some of my concerns.

I'd wait for the PS3 upgrade kits to be released. PS2 is a dying horse...let it die.

 PS3 audio is just as good or better than Lionel Legacy Vision Line whatever. PS2 audio is like listening to the old 8 track player...PS3 is like listening to CD's 

 

Folks on here are frowning upon PS3 as they can't do much component level repair..well so what?? First there has to be a problem to fix!

G GGGOGR Forum Member

Ok, Chuck, be specific, did you use the stacker board too?  Did you load the PS-3 Chain file?  What engine did you use this on?

 

As I said you can load it, but the flash program is looking for gear ratios and speed curves in the sound file.  If you load just a PS-3 sound file, that information is not there.  If you load the chain file, you probably over road the flash file. 

 

If it is working that is good news, but I would ask do you have accurate SMPH, and are all features working?  Because as confirmed by MTH it is meant to use a PS-2 file. 

 

As far as frowning, I think you need to read the post.  Some engines folks love the sounds, others engines folks don't think they are better than PS-2.  So I think it is a mixed bag right now.  G 

 

 

G GGGOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by CRH:
Originally Posted by GGG:
Originally Posted by CRH:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Because they are specifically designed and programmed as a PS/2 replacement.  You use standard PS/2 sound files.  Hopefully, the PS/3 upgrade kits will be a different animal.

 

 

I find it hard to believe that MTH would release a PS3 board that can't use PS3 sound files.

 

So I did a little checking...the PS32 info sheet that went around a few months back say's...

 

 PS32 board...

 

"Loading software into the PS32 board is just like the PS2 3v board. The sound file must be in the 3 volt format. The serial number loads the same way as PS2 also using the loader program. The DSP software loaded into the PS3 board is universal for Steam, Diesel, Electric, Articulated Steam, Steam with Quillable whistle."

 

This does not say you can not load a PS3 soundfile into a PS32 board. It does however state that any soundfile loaded must be in the 3V format.

 

 

 

This is effectively what I stated, except I explained why.  So what is your point?

 

Using a PS-3 that has different software, hardware and different format to replace a PS-2 board, requires special coding to make it work as a PS-2 board with PS-2 sound file.

 

Not sure what is so hard to understand.

 

When my computer was upgraded to Window 8, my older printer that was XP based, would no longer work.  I had to load a different firm ware to trick it into being compatible.  It works as a printer, but lost some features in the process that would work with XP.   Not really a hard concept in my mind.   G 

Here's what you wrote...

Don't know, they have different flash programming designed to take the operating characteristic from the PS-2 sound file used.  YOU DO NOT use a PS-3 Sound file with these boards.   So I suspect not.

I have 4 PS32 equipped engines running on my layout right now that has PS3 soundfiles downloaded into them. There is no problem whatsoever with these engines.

 

Your analogy of using a Windows XP printer driver on a Win 8 machine isn't quite right as Windows will go out (if it has permission) and find the correct driver.

 

Better yet I'll put it this way...The AE-1000035 is loaded with software 3239 which is a rather generic driver which will work with both PS2 and PS3 sound files...This is MTH confirmed.

 

I have 4 engines using the PS32 boards with PS3 soundfiles loaded onto them and they work just fine...and they sound terrific!!

 

 

 

 

 

Actually for Windows 8.x there are a lot of legacy systems that don't have compatible drivers.  Do a search, it will confirm rather quickly.  I have a router (some features) and printer that would not work, and the router was pretty new.

 

The PS-32 is not a generic flash program, it is a very specific program that goes into the PS-2 file and removes the parameters and puts them in the memory where a normal PS-3 Sound file would have them in the chain file. 

 

So still interest in whether you just loaded a sound file or both a PS-3 sound file with chain file?  G

C CRHOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by GGG:

Ok, Chuck, be specific, did you use the stacker board too?  Did you load the PS-3 Chain file?  What engine did you use this on?

 

As I said you can load it, but the flash program is looking for gear ratios and speed curves in the sound file.  If you load just a PS-3 sound file, that information is not there.  If you load the chain file, you probably over road the flash file. 

 

If it is working that is good news, but I would ask do you have accurate SMPH, and are all features working?  Because as confirmed by MTH it is meant to use a PS-2 file. 

 

As far as frowning, I think you need to read the post.  Some engines folks love the sounds, others engines folks don't think they are better than PS-2.  So I think it is a mixed bag right now.  G 

 

 

Ok, Chuck, be specific, did you use the stacker board too?  Did you load the PS-3 Chain file?  What engine did you use this on?

 

Yes I'm using the stacker board.

 

No I'm using the MTH loaded chain file.

 

As I said you can load it, but the flash program is looking for gear ratios and speed curves in the sound file.  If you load just a PS-3 sound file, that information is not there.  If you load the chain file, you probably over road the flash file. 

 

Really? Few posts back you wrote "YOU DO NOT use a PS-3 Sound file with these boards"

  But now you state "As I said you can load it"...Quite the contradictory statements!

 

If it is working that is good news, but I would ask do you have accurate SMPH, and are all features working? 

 

 All features are working in all 4 locomotives.

 

Because as confirmed by MTH it is meant to use a PS-2 file.

 

The word on here for the last few years has been that PS2 soundfiles can be loaded onto the new PS3 boards. So basically nothing is new about this.

 

 

 

Last edited by CRH
C CRHOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by GGG:
Originally Posted by CRH:
Originally Posted by GGG:
Originally Posted by CRH:
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Because they are specifically designed and programmed as a PS/2 replacement.  You use standard PS/2 sound files.  Hopefully, the PS/3 upgrade kits will be a different animal.

 

 

I find it hard to believe that MTH would release a PS3 board that can't use PS3 sound files.

 

So I did a little checking...the PS32 info sheet that went around a few months back say's...

 

 PS32 board...

 

"Loading software into the PS32 board is just like the PS2 3v board. The sound file must be in the 3 volt format. The serial number loads the same way as PS2 also using the loader program. The DSP software loaded into the PS3 board is universal for Steam, Diesel, Electric, Articulated Steam, Steam with Quillable whistle."

 

This does not say you can not load a PS3 soundfile into a PS32 board. It does however state that any soundfile loaded must be in the 3V format.

 

 

 

This is effectively what I stated, except I explained why.  So what is your point?

 

Using a PS-3 that has different software, hardware and different format to replace a PS-2 board, requires special coding to make it work as a PS-2 board with PS-2 sound file.

 

Not sure what is so hard to understand.

 

When my computer was upgraded to Window 8, my older printer that was XP based, would no longer work.  I had to load a different firm ware to trick it into being compatible.  It works as a printer, but lost some features in the process that would work with XP.   Not really a hard concept in my mind.   G 

Here's what you wrote...

Don't know, they have different flash programming designed to take the operating characteristic from the PS-2 sound file used.  YOU DO NOT use a PS-3 Sound file with these boards.   So I suspect not.

I have 4 PS32 equipped engines running on my layout right now that has PS3 soundfiles downloaded into them. There is no problem whatsoever with these engines.

 

Your analogy of using a Windows XP printer driver on a Win 8 machine isn't quite right as Windows will go out (if it has permission) and find the correct driver.

 

Better yet I'll put it this way...The AE-1000035 is loaded with software 3239 which is a rather generic driver which will work with both PS2 and PS3 sound files...This is MTH confirmed.

 

I have 4 engines using the PS32 boards with PS3 soundfiles loaded onto them and they work just fine...and they sound terrific!!

 

 

 

 

 

Actually for Windows 8.x there are a lot of legacy systems that don't have compatible drivers.  Do a search, it will confirm rather quickly.  I have a router (some features) and printer that would not work, and the router was pretty new.

 

The PS-32 is not a generic flash program, it is a very specific program that goes into the PS-2 file and removes the parameters and puts them in the memory where a normal PS-3 Sound file would have them in the chain file. 

 

So still interest in whether you just loaded a sound file or both a PS-3 sound file with chain file?  G

The PS-32 is not a generic flash program, it is a very specific program that goes into the PS-2 file and removes the parameters and puts them in the memory where a normal PS-3 Sound file would have them in the chain file. 

 

Hmm..That's odd as here's MTH's reply about that...

 

 "The generic software is installed for Steam/Diesel/Electric models without operating pantographs and normal 2 heater element smoke units."   

G GGGOGR Forum Member

Gee Chuck having a bad day?  You are taking my post out of context.  My 19Feb post stated PS-3 file could be loaded, but  it not meant to.

 

Here is the info from the VP of Service:

 

PS32 board

MTH started shipping the AE-1000035 PS32 board
($205 MSRP) and AE-1005v36 board ($25 MSRP) today.   The board set is
$230 MSRP and includes super caps which eliminates the need for a
battery.  This replaces the AE-0000015 and AE-0000016
boards.    Please note the following when using this
board. 

1.  The software loaded into the PS32 board is 3239.   This
supports Steam/Diesel/Electric/Articulated Steam and Subway/Trolley but not
GG-1 with Operating Pantograph. 

2.  No battery is required.  Super caps are on the PS32 board replace
the battery.  

3.  The 2 pin jack on the PS32 board is for PS3 Slave board motor
operation, NOT a battery.   Do NOT connect the 2 pin battery harness
plug to this connector. 

4.  Load the normal PS2 3volt sound and serial number file into the board
same as you did for the AE-0000015/AE-0000016 board set.   The
software in the PS32 board looks for the wheel diameter and gear ration data in
the sound file.


Since this e-mail, techs have confirmed trolley is not part of the firmware either.  But look at Line 4.

 

Not sure who your talking too, but because an e-mail response stated "generic" doesn't mean that it is.  No other firmware does what this firmware does.

 

I also never stated this as absolute facts, rather some of the issue that had to be sorted out.

 

Seems like the stacker board works regardless of sound file, so that is good.  I really question if you have good speed control though?  Can you answer the question about scale mph?

 

Do you know the difference between the SF and Chain File on a PS-3, because I think you probably loaded the whole PS-3 file, in which case you have it as PS-3 board now.  Which most likely means it no longer has it's PS-32 qualities other than the stacker board.  Meaning you have to load an appropriate Chain File for the engine before you could use a PS-2 sound file.  G

 G

Last edited by GGG
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