I’ve heard that MTH was working on a kit to upgrade their PS2 locomotives to PS3. Anybody know if they have done this yet, or if not, when we might see these? Thanks
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I beats me why anyone would want to waste the money if the ps2 board works well. Although others will differ, personally I find the PS2 to be more solid, without the quirks of PS3. There is no reason why the current PS3 upgrade kit can't be used for this purpose.
Thanks for the comments! I agree that the PS2 card works well, but I’ve not encountered any quirks with any of my PS3 locomotives. That said, it would be nice if we could shorten the connection cable used by the PS2.
There is a PS 32 board set that has been available for awhile. I have 2 locomotives with this board set that were installed as replacements for defective PS2 boards. The PS 32 cost in comparison to its features is not a cost effective upgrade. However, PS 32 is a good repair.
Your not going to change the physical arrangement of a loco unless you do it your self. The PS-3 Steam upgrade is a PS-2 upgrade kit with a PS-32 special board that is PS-3 based but uses light and such via the adapter board. Uses same 10 pin harness as the PS-2 3V steam kit.
The only true PS-3 conversion is the Diesel kit. That is a PS-3 board with LEDs.
There is no MTH conversion kit to go from tether to drawbar if that is what you want. G
Bobby Ogage posted:There is a PS 32 board set that has been available for awhile. I have 2 locomotives with this board set that were installed as replacements for defective PS2 boards. The PS 32 cost in comparison to its features is not a cost effective upgrade. However, PS 32 is a good repair.
Thanks for the info, Bobby! Sounds like good advice
RJR posted:I beats me why anyone would want to waste the money if the ps2 board works well. Although others will differ, personally I find the PS2 to be more solid, without the quirks of PS3. There is no reason why the current PS3 upgrade kit can't be used for this purpose.
Makes good sense. Coincidently, I purchased a NIB Propane Turbine with PS2 (5 volt board). Spent about 20 minutes with Jason Wenzel after I purchased, looking for sage advice:
1) Recharge 9 volt battery with external charger.
2) Oil, grease & prime smoke units.
3) Let sit overnight, waiting for full charge (less stress on MTH recharge circuit on board.
4) Plugged in, set address, ready to roll.
5) Ran perfect. Fell in love. Extended shutdown. All was well.
6) Next day, fired up DCS. No Joy. Engine not on track.
7) Put on transformer with no DCS. Powered up, only heard a buzz from the electronics.
8) Loco Dead. Sent to MTH to do the upgrade.
For what it is worth. The price I was quoted was about $250-300 to complete the job using the PS3 Steam upgrade (because of the above mentioned). Won't be done until after Christmas. Jason did tell me, it is best to use a battery with the 5 volt boards then a BCR. A real weakness is the load going across the tracers for the board, which could be a problem.
Bottom line from Jason "run until it breaks, then do the upgrade. I just happened to get there fast.
Phil, as to PS3 quirks, the major one is that occasionally a loco will enter a state where, upon pressing startup, the lights and sounds will come on, and that's it. Only cure is to leave the loco on an unpowered track overnight, which usually leaves a main line blocked. Next day it will work fine. Before anyone says that it's caused by having a supercap instead of a battery, I have some 18+locos all with PS-2 and supercaps (no batteries) and none have ever exhibited this behavior. It happens both on factory PS3 steam & update PS3 locos. It hasn't happened on my PS3 diesel (MU set) or PS3 S-gauge diesel (44ton).
Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:RJR posted:I beats me why anyone would want to waste the money if the ps2 board works well. Although others will differ, personally I find the PS2 to be more solid, without the quirks of PS3. There is no reason why the current PS3 upgrade kit can't be used for this purpose.
Makes good sense. Coincidently, I purchased a NIB Propane Turbine with PS2 (5 volt board). Spent about 20 minutes with Jason Wenzel after I purchased, looking for sage advice:
1) Recharge 9 volt battery with external charger.
2) Oil, grease & prime smoke units.
3) Let sit overnight, waiting for full charge (less stress on MTH recharge circuit on board.
4) Plugged in, set address, ready to roll.
5) Ran perfect. Fell in love. Extended shutdown. All was well.
6) Next day, fired up DCS. No Joy. Engine not on track.
7) Put on transformer with no DCS. Powered up, only heard a buzz from the electronics.
8) Loco Dead. Sent to MTH to do the upgrade.
For what it is worth. The price I was quoted was about $250-300 to complete the job using the PS3 Steam upgrade (because of the above mentioned). Won't be done until after Christmas. Jason did tell me, it is best to use a battery with the 5 volt boards then a BCR. A real weakness is the load going across the tracers for the board, which could be a problem.
Bottom line from Jason "run until it breaks, then do the upgrade. I just happened to get there fast.
I sure hope MTH does not do a Steam upgrade on this? The proper fix is a PS-32 with 5V connectors put in place of the old 5V. G
GGG posted:Bryant Dunivan 111417 posted:RJR posted:I beats me why anyone would want to waste the money if the ps2 board works well. Although others will differ, personally I find the PS2 to be more solid, without the quirks of PS3. There is no reason why the current PS3 upgrade kit can't be used for this purpose.
Makes good sense. Coincidently, I purchased a NIB Propane Turbine with PS2 (5 volt board). Spent about 20 minutes with Jason Wenzel after I purchased, looking for sage advice:
1) Recharge 9 volt battery with external charger.
2) Oil, grease & prime smoke units.
3) Let sit overnight, waiting for full charge (less stress on MTH recharge circuit on board.
4) Plugged in, set address, ready to roll.
5) Ran perfect. Fell in love. Extended shutdown. All was well.
6) Next day, fired up DCS. No Joy. Engine not on track.
7) Put on transformer with no DCS. Powered up, only heard a buzz from the electronics.
8) Loco Dead. Sent to MTH to do the upgrade.
For what it is worth. The price I was quoted was about $250-300 to complete the job using the PS3 Steam upgrade (because of the above mentioned). Won't be done until after Christmas. Jason did tell me, it is best to use a battery with the 5 volt boards then a BCR. A real weakness is the load going across the tracers for the board, which could be a problem.
Bottom line from Jason "run until it breaks, then do the upgrade. I just happened to get there fast.
I sure hope MTH does not do a Steam upgrade on this? The proper fix is a PS-32 with 5V connectors put in place of the old 5V. G
Hello G, what is the difference that makes you hope that it is the PS-32 with 5 volt connectors? Sounds pretty grim. Should I call MTH and have them change the work order incase it is a steam upgrade?
by using the ps-32 board upgrade all the same features will work . you won't have to get a special mod's to get the features you'll already have using the ps-32 for the 5 volt replacement board .
Alan Mancus posted:by using the ps-32 board upgrade all the same features will work . you won't have to get a special mod's to get the features you'll already have using the ps-32 for the 5 volt replacement board .
Thanks for the explanation. I called MTH, MTH is going to use the ps-32 board for the repair if they are able to. They would only do something else if they had to. The person I spoke with did not think it would be difficult to use the 32 board. I appreciate you and all for alerting me to this.
your welcome Bryant!
Alan
In the Propane turbine, I can't imagine why they can't use the PS32 board, it's certainly large enough! 
gunrunnerjohn posted:In the Propane turbine, I can't imagine why they can't use the PS32 board, it's certainly large enough!
After pulling the shell, I agree John. At least it ran once. It is an awesome engine. Look forward to getting it back. Thanks for your help at York.
I have that engine, if the 5V board ever dies, I have a PS32 waiting in the wings to take over. 
