PS2 5v vs 3v boards

If the board has some miles and hours on it, I'd be quicker to buy than something really BNIB, and untested and unproven.

Test it before buying if you are able.  They work or they do not work.  I see people often getting burned by buying them on Ebay.  The seller always states it worked when shipped.  I would be happier buying from a forum member.

I recently bought a steam switcher from a forum member with a 5v board and it runs and sounds great! "As Marty stated" I would buy from a forum member before E-Bay!

Thanks for the info.  I think I'll pass. 

Thanks again everyone.

Sunrise

Sunrise,

 

Have a MTH 384E Tinplate Set ( Christmas Train). Ran it two Christmas's under our Tree. Put it away; took it out of the box the following Christmas and had "NOTHING". I mean the front headlight wouldn't even come on. Sent it in for Repair and received it back $208.00 later.  Had to convert it to a 3V System. 5V boards were not available. I strongly suggest staying away from PS2 with a 5V board

 

Sincerely,

 

FREDSTRAINS

When you put it away did you remove the battery? NIcads when stored can have cell reversal and possible damage to the boards can result.

 

Dale H

Dale,

 

No, i did not remove the battery, but I used an External Charger once a month to keep the battery charged!!

 

Fredstrains

NOS PS2 units I believe do not carry a factory warranty so consider that also in the price you would pay. In the end the price is what it is worth.

If purchased form an authorized dealer the unit would be under warranty unless built in the last couple of years. MTH recently changed their warrenty policy but the change does not include anything built before the date of the change.

 If you happen to buy a NOS diesel with a 5 volt board and it is in working order, I would be happy to install a new 3 volt board with all needed hardware for the exchange of the new 5 volt board. I need one for a steam engine that has been sitting around for a while minus the board. It is fairly easy to convert a diesel but not so much in a steam engine unless the original board is mounted in the tender and has a mux board. I am an Authorized Service Tech and I will stand behind it for 90 days or the remainder of the original warranty. whichever is longer. The engine must be purchased from an authorized MTH Dealer for the Factory warranty to be effective.

I had to do a couple of 5V to 3V conversions on Northerns I believe.  The 3V mounted easily in the shell and the holes even lined up.  The only issue is having the battery in the tender so far away.  On one it worked in the tender, but the other Power Supply board was too sensitive to battery.  In the end, I mounted the battery in the engine also.  Infact it sat nicely in the frame.   I have even got the 3V to fit in Bantam Engines.  You just have to custom modify a heat sink.  G