Ps3 steam board transplant

I would guess that you loaded a corrupt file, or for some reason, the file didn't load properly?

There could be other reasons like some type of short or something. I'd bet on the file.

Did you think of loading both the chain file and the sound file for the Premier version?  Mixing the RK sound file with the Premier chain file could certainly be your problem.

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

What was the item number for the RK steam locomotive you removed the boards from and also the item number of the Premier locomotive the sound/chain files are from? There is an issue with older PS3 chain files not working with some later EMI boards. That might be the case here, so the item numbers will help us determine that.

The issue with EMI and non-EMI boards was the motor drive, I don't recall it ever affecting the sound.

@NYCBuffalo posted:

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

WHAAAAT?

@NYCBuffalo posted:

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

Baloney, I do that all the time.  If loading matching sound and chain files causes issues, we're all in big trouble!  Please recheck your facts.

Yeah I was surprised too. I definitely put the railking chain back on followed by premier sound to make it work. If the premier chain file is corrupt that would explain it. I will get both loco product numbers when I have a chance.

Something is clearly amiss with either the files, the equipment being used to load them, or the technique used for loading.

Not to say there haven't been a one or two corrupt sound files posted, a few months ago we ran across one that corrupted the boards so bad we had to send them back to MTH for reprogramming the boot loader!  A friend that's also an ASC initially bricked several boards, so he came over and we bricked one of mine.  That's when we knew it wasn't the equipment, the load procedure, but really the file.  That's the only time I've encountered that, and I hope not to see it again!

Premier 20-3666-1 b&o camelback

railking 30-4227-1 (set loco)

Don't know of anything wrong with that model's files.

@NYCBuffalo posted:

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

@NYCBuffalo posted:

Yeah I was surprised too. I definitely put the railking chain back on followed by premier sound to make it work. If the premier chain file is corrupt that would explain it. I will get both loco product numbers when I have a chance.

so your blanket statement that people might read as a problem with all MTH files is based on one sound file?

It would be nice in the future if you posted that with your statement.

Since this is a sound file that doesn't brick the board, you might convince someone to load it into a different locomotive or take your locomotive to another location and load it there with different equipment.

I've found that loading PS/3 files using pure DC to power the TIU and also including 25-30 feet of lead between the TIU and your locomotive or testset with the boards makes for more reliable loading.  For mine I use a bench DC supply to power the TIU.  This is also how MTH configures their test benches at the factory, or at least they did when I was there.

This is my only ps3 steamer. I never ment to make a blanket statement about all ps3 steam when reporting my issue. Sorry

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I've found that loading PS/3 files using pure DC to power the TIU and also including 25-30 feet of lead between the TIU and your locomotive or testset with the boards makes for more reliable loading.  For mine I use a bench DC supply to power the TIU.  This is also how MTH configures their test benches at the factory, or at least they did when I was there.

Not sure it actually helps, but I twist my leads too.  Since it’s carrying a signal I figure it might help reduce noise.  

My wires were a twisted pair anyway, and I suspect it may be beneficial since the DCS signal is RF and the wire is acting like a transmission line.

After a load you need to cycle the board power on and off to get the chain and SF in sync.  Many times a board will emit weird sounds after a load, until the full power cycle.  I have never seen any issue or warning about RK versus PR chain files.  Most of the code is the same, it is the engine specific Hardware that is different.

Now there is always a possibility of difference between years possibly.  But MTH has continually been upgrading/refining the flash codes on these.  G

Hi all. I had time tonight to work on it again. I did a new program setup with a 3ft piece of track, tiu and a dc transformer feeding fixed in 1. I loaded the premier chain which loaded ok but warned a few times about writing a code block. I hit retry a couple times at the prompt and it seemed like it was ok and said finished successfully. I powered off for 2 min then on. Ran fine and sound was fine but no markers, no firebox lights and no smoke but headlight ok. I reloaded the premier sound file and that was fine no warnings. Shut off all power again 2 min. Ran and sounded fine but still only headlight worked no markers, firebox light or smoke.
smoke and markers did work originally with the initial railking chain and premier sound but since I started messing with chain files I can’t get them back.
I might have my Mth repair tech look next as I feel stuck.

You say "DC Transformer", but what you really need is pure DC from a real DC supply.  If you're using something like an HO transformer, some of them are pretty noisy electrically, and would likely be worse than AC.  Second best is a pure sine wave AC transformer, they seem to work as well as my DC bench supply.

If you're getting errors and retries on writing the FLASH or sound files, I'd adjust the setup and load them again.

Well that could be the issue. I have a radio shack 12v regulated dc supply I can try. I think 3 amp. Do I need to do the sound file again after the chain or just the chain?

I'd do them both.  Also, after loading the chain files, do a couple of power cycles with 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off between them.

Thanks for the continued help. I did notice the backup light on the tender flashes a few time when power is applied but before dcs startup is commanded. That an error code? Should I hear a Morse code if chain load is good? I have not so far. Just trying to learn.

The Morse code is when the chain files change, if they're the same as previous loaded, you won't hear it.  Also, when you power down after loading the chain file, you need to wait until you hear the code, usually 15-20 seconds.  If you don't hear it within a minute, it's not coming.  The flashing lights can happen on power-up, but only very briefly.

Once loaded have you tried a factory reset on the board?  Are you sure all your connectors are plugged in correctly, no bent pins on the board?  G

Again thank you all for the help. I burned the midnight oil last night and happy to report it is all working now!

I setup with my filtered dc power supply, tiu, remote and computer and my 3ft straight section. Loading the premier chain file, I got a few retry prompts on some sectors and finally got to one it would not get past. I swapped to my layout tiu which is rev h (idk what rev my bench tiu is it’s not labeled) this went much better. I got maybe 3 retry prompts total but the retry worked the first time on each. After load I shut it down, waited 60 sec with no track power then powered up. The backup light did a blink sequence then I got sounds lights and smoke! I power cycled for 1 min again, no more blinking backup light when power applied and everything worked perfect. I did not load the sound file again as it all looked good.
thanks again everyone!!!

Great, glad you got it sorted out.

@NYCBuffalo posted:

Again thank you all for the help. I burned the midnight oil last night and happy to report it is all working now!

I setup with my filtered dc power supply, tiu, remote and computer and my 3ft straight section. Loading the premier chain file, I got a few retry prompts on some sectors and finally got to one it would not get past. I swapped to my layout tiu which is rev h (idk what rev my bench tiu is it’s not labeled) this went much better. I got maybe 3 retry prompts total but the retry worked the first time on each. After load I shut it down, waited 60 sec with no track power then powered up. The backup light did a blink sequence then I got sounds lights and smoke! I power cycled for 1 min again, no more blinking backup light when power applied and everything worked perfect. I did not load the sound file again as it all looked good.
thanks again everyone!!!

You need good track signal to load a file. I'm wondering if the sector problem was actually a loss of signal during the load?

You actually state that it went better with another TIU.

If using an older TIU, even with a short test track for loading, a good bulb or Susan's filter maybe needed to get optimum signal strength.

Most of the TIUs are identified on the bottom as far as I know. Maybe there's exceptions?

Anything other than a newer version "L", may need a filter for optimum signal.