Need a PS2.0 board for a 30-1159-1 PRR 2 8 0. This board is in the engine. Can any one help, besides going to MTH and paying $200.00 for a replacement board.
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Have the exploded view of the engine and the MTH board number is: AE-0000001, which is a PS2.0 board. With a list price of $200.00, exchanged.
This engine is dead will not do anything, I knew that when purchasing the engine Someone took it apart and had the board loose and and all the plugs for the board where removed, plus the heat sink. Put it all back together set it on the track, then had DCS try to find it. To no avail. who ever had it before me probably shorted out the board. Did notice in the forum that some one has having diode problems. Could it be possible that both diodes could be burned out and not letting the engine be regognized?
Joseph,
You are correct! I was looking at the wrong engine.
Your engine is, indeed, PS2. However, it's a 5 volt board that is no longer available. You would have to purchase a PS2 upgrade kit ($149.95 if you're an MTH RR Club member, $179.95 if not). Then, you'd have to also replace the battery and speaker, both of which are included in the upgrade kit. If you can scavenge the dead board's headers, you could avoid replacing the wiring harness.
Regardless, it's a Rugged Rails engine that retailed for $229.95 MSRP and probably can be replaced for about the price of the upgrade kit.
Frankly, I wouldn't bother with a repair. I'd just replace the engine.
Barry,
Called MTH, service got a RA# left a note inside stating if it cost more than $150.00 to trash it. The PS2.0 is on back order! The guy in service Jerry said the upgrades should be in soon. MTH sevice has a min. charge of $25.00 just to look at it. Jerry said the problem could be diodes or the sound portion of the board will cause the dead engine. Forgot I already have a 30-1159-1 that is in working order, and it runs just fine. I guess it was more of a challange to see if I could do it myself. Some things just can not be done on your own. Thank you for all your advice. Joe
Joe, There are no diodes in the harness for 5V systems like some engines use for the 3V system. So unless it is a disconnected power harness I think you are looking at board replacement. Usually for 5V systems the engine will operate, just without sounds if it is the audio amp. Additionally MTH doesn't use the AE-15/16 conversion board in an upgrade kit. So I pretty sure your estimate is going to come in around $234 for parts (board and hardware kit), plus labor and shipping back. About $296. Let us know what they say. G
Joe,
I have the same engine, but I decided to install the ERR (Electric Railroad Company) product in it. They have two boards. The DC Commander and the Cruise Commander. The difference is the Cruise Commander has cruise control.
Neither board has sound. The RailSounds board is additional. Installation of the commander boards is relatively easy. It took me 30 minutes to install the Cruise Commander in a Williams FA-1 diesel. Sound installation will take an additional 30 minutes.
The ERR system will operate in conventional or Command Control modes. The ERR product uses the Lionel TMCC operating system. My railroad has Both DCS and TMCC systems. I use my DCS handheld to operate my TMCC engines.
ERR can be found at www.electricrr.com
Good luck with your engine repairs.
Bob
Barry,
Sent a fax to MTH, called me back. They did not look at the engine. Ask them to send it back, ordered a PS2.0 kit and will upgrade on my own. Just upgraded a NPR 2-8-4 that had a QSI reverse unit originally. MTH only has a few of the upgrade kits left if any one is interested.
Joe
