PS2

@trainpoppop posted:

I have an MTH GG1 2340 with no battery or speaker but identified as having Protosound 2 capability. Mother board and everything else seem fine and it runs fine. Are these parts available ?

What do you mean by "these parts"?

Is your goal to "only" convert this to a PS2 engine (as opposed to a more "modern" Protosound 3 engine)?  Do you even require DCS command control?  Or are you just looking for sound capability with a conventional-control transformer (and horn/bell) for throttle in which case there might be less expensive options.

I use conventional not digital control. The picture I included shows no battery or speaker. I'm assuming if I can replace just the battery and speaker I

will also have the option of using Protosound 2 in the future if I chose to go digital. This GG1 came boxed as having P2 so all the electronics are in place.

The electronic board you have in your picture is a so-called basic electronic reversing unit.  As you say, it works fine for conventional control - stopping and changing direction when pressing the DIRECTION button on your transformer, and changing speed as a function of your throttle/knob/handle setting.

But your board does NOT have sound or command control capability.  You cannot simply add a speaker and get sound.  You cannot simply add a battery or similar inexpensive item and get MTH DCS command-control capability.

It could be semantic gymnastics (a.k.a. read-the-fine-print, truth-in-advertising, etc.) as to what was meant by "Protosound 2 capability."  But converting what's in the picture to a Protosound 2 capable engine would require about $200 (plus or minus) and would replace the circuit board as circled.  In fact, if done today (2021) you would replace the board with Protosound 3 electronics which is the current version of MTH command-control technology.  Of course both Protosound 2 and 3 electronics will support conventional control operation.

More out of idle curiosity than anything that will help YOU, but I'd be interested if you could post a photo or link to a description that implies/suggests that all you'd need to do was add a speaker and battery and abacadabra you have Protosound 2 capability.

Looks like a Williams reversing unit in an old MTH GG1 that likely had PS2 5v boards. Restoring basic functions to a loco that had a board failure.  I've use these and the Dallee 400's in locos where the owner doesn't want to spend the money to fully repair or upgrade.

Thanks for the reply. "Protosound 2 capability "was my assumption based on the item description on the box that the MTH GG1 came in. I was told it had no sound so when I removed the shell and saw no battery or horn I thought it had the capability to get P2 with the addition of a battery and speaker. Thanks for setting me strait !    Now, what can I do to simply add a horn and a bell and be content with conventional control ?

Early in the life of command control, it was common for makers to offer engines in two flavors. The advanced (expensive) engine had command and sound installed. But they also offered the same loco in bare bones conventional mode, but "upgradeable" to command and sound. It "sounds" (pun!)  like that is what you have. But as pointed out above, the loco is currently a conventional engine. If you just want sound, the least expensive option might be to add a sound board from Electric Railroad.

As far as a genuine MTH PS2 or PS3 upgrade kit for your engine (the kits were usually engine-specific), that is likely unobtanium, except possibly on eBay as a USED or NEW-OLD-STOCK item.

Good luck!

Don

Williams used to sell sound boards for a reasonable price. Not so many now and not reasonable. Least cost way is probably ERR, and that's around 110~120$ I believe for the parts.

I does look like that original loco had a PS2 of some sort with the tach reader and all. Probably was 5v PS2 and became toast. The previous owner added that Williams board so at least it would run...

As stated this is not original MTH.  Some one took an MTH engine, gutted most of it and put a Williams reverse unit in.  Your engine can be upgraded to PS-3 with a diesel kit and have sounds, cruise and all the original features.  Would operate in conventional, DCC or DCS.  G

Thank you for the information. I think I'll investigate a conventional fix rather than digital..