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I had loaded the PS3 upgrade files and chain files for my challenger. Everything was working properly.

In forward headlamp was on tail lamp was off and the reverse was true in going backwards.

I realized I had loaded the file for an oil burner. I set about reloading with the coal files.

Noticed hat the engine was running reversed for forwards and visa versa. I then reloaded the Oil burner files and the same situation exists.

The Tail light is always on. Which wasn't the case after first file download.

The engine direction had been tested upon completion of upgrade and the direction was tested. I just re-checked it and direction is reversed.

I have done a factory reset on the engine and features.

Am I loosing my mind or did it flip directions?

Don't want to re-solder until I check the forum.

Totally confused

Mike

 

Last edited by Winger
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Barry, unless I'm crazy everything was right earlier. I loaded a Ps3 production file with chain files. Could this be the problem? I noticed the issue when I change from, Oil to Coal.

The backup light stays on in either direction. Earlier it was changing with direction. I verified direction in convention mode a day ago.

Yes the rear coupler fires correctly.

Mike

Mike,

Prior to reversing the motor leads, did the engine startup in the correct direction, forward. If so, the motor leads were correct and the issue is only the backup light.

If everything was OK before loading the production chain file, I suggest that you put the motor wires back as they were and reload the original, upgrade, chain file. The production chain file would assume all lights were LEDs and would treat them as such rather than as bulbs, while the update chain file would assume bulbs were present.

Is the tender light an LED or a bulb? If it's a bulb, that could account for the issue with the backup light and other hardware anomalies.

What benefit were you seeking by changing the chain file?

Last edited by Barry Broskowitz

You can not load PS-3 production Chain files into a PS-3 steam upgrade kit board.  That board is a diesel PS-3 board with the adapter for lights.  A Real PS-3 steam has a boiler board and a tender board.  The chain file is looking to communicate with a boiler board which doesn't exist.

This has been discussed multiple times.  Only load PS-3 sound files with a PS-32 Board set.  The PS-3 Steam kit is a PS-32 board set.

You need to go back and load the PS-32 chain file for Steam.  G

To Barry yes everything functioned properly at one time. 

To GGG, when you say PS-32 chain file are you talking about the PS3 upgrade set.

I'm working on a premier Challenger. The box doesn't have the part number on it. So I'm assuming it's an old MT- series.

I tried reloading a PS2.0 production file nothing changed.

I really thought I understood all of this, maybe not so much now.

Mike

 

Thanks to everyone who responded. I am a lot wiser now then when I started.

MTH so graciously sent me the Steam 32 chain files this morning and everything is back to normal. 

They even admitted that some of the kits shipped out may not have had the files from the factory.

I even had to undo the engine rewire that was done when I mucked everything up.

Like my old boss used to say," If you're not doing anything wrong, then you're not doing anything."

Regards,

Mike

Last edited by Winger
RJR posted:

Winger, there is no chain file available for a PS3 steam upgrade kit.  The steam PS3 upgrade kit is completely different than the PS3 factory steam boards.  The diesel upgrade kits are identical to the factory boards, but not the steam.  Try the PS2 sound file.

That is incorrect, there is a specific chain file for the PS/3 steam kit using the PS32 board.

Typically PS-32 boards come with the diesel version of the Test All Chain File (SD-70ACe).  The Steam kits should have the PS-32 Steam file, but early kits did not.

Since I always load on the bench tester I can see if the unit has directional lights. If so I know the diesel file is installed and I load the Steam set.  G

Dave, Even though I've been dealing with software for 40+ years. Then DCS arena was new to me. I didn't understand the upgrade process well enough. Even after searching the form, apparently I didn't ask the right search questions.

The upgrade is called a 3.0 upgrade but it's really a PS-3/2 upgrade. Some of the 3.0 features but you use 2.0 sound files.

The boards are preloaded with PS32 Sound and Chain files. The chain files affect different parts of operation. In my case the engine was per the posts above backwards with the backup light on constantly.

This was because I loaded the 3.0 sound file and chain files. 2.0 doesn't have chain files embedded in them. The only way to get them is call MTH or have a Tech give them to you.

Got the files reloaded them plus the 2.0 sound files and everything is now fine. It was really frustrating because of the lack of proper documentation (in my mind).  For example one Diesel manual says use 3.0 files. The steam says use 2.0. Hence my confusion.

If you've read through all the posts then you can tell my frustration. But all is well now.

I have retained the chain files for future issues. I also provided Gunrunnerjohn with copies to compare with what he has.

That's about it in the nutshell. If I've made any gross errors, someone will respond. on this topic.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Thanks for the clear explanation, Mike. I just don't understand why MTH doesn't provide a link on their website for these chain files. I guess one lesson we can all learn from this, is that it pays to upload all files out of the board to our computer and save them before downloading over them in the engine. That way you can always go back to square one when something like this happens.

The default chain files will not be uploaded. Mth also told me that some upgrade kits got out with no chain files loaded. Which may explain why I had no head light when I first started the engine before loading the sound software. 

MTH assumes that the user will not be messing with the chain files. The techs check to see if the chain file is loaded and proper. If not the put in the proper chain file. This is for a factory authorized upgrade center. They use a test station to determine this.

If you're interested I can provide the chain files Mth gave me. Hope this help more.

Regards,

Mike

Thanks MIKE.  RJR, I never tried uploading chain files from an engine, but thought it should be possible, unless the loader program doesn't have that feature. As far as speed goes, my TIU downloads and uploads much faster through fixed channel 2, then 1. Don't understand why, though.  I never tried it but I also read here on the forum that using DC to do downloads is faster too.

Dave think of the Chain files as Firmware. They can only be placed into the memory chips using a special program called a Flash program. Its only function it to send the files to the memory chips in the proper sequence usually with a  checksum returned to the program do indicate success.

I've never had or seen a Flash reader program although I imagine they exist somewhere especially in the MTH train environment.

Where as the sound files are software which can be read and rewritten as needed. For lack of better terms (less secure from meddling). This is my best understanding of the process if I'm off base someone here will correct me. That's what great about this forum.

P.S. the DCS loader program will open and load the zipped files without any intervention from operator.

Like my old boss used to say; "If you're not doing anything wrong , you're not doing anything!"

Regards,

Mike

Last edited by Winger

Thank You MIKE. I just noticed the Loader program does have the ability to download a flash file into the chip, but does not have the ability to take a flash file (upload) from the chip into our computers. So in short, sound files and flash files are two totally different animals that take two totally different programs to handle them. I do have a few early PS3 upgrade kits on the shelf that may not have the flash files installed, so thank you for sending the files to me, because I may need them.

When I said upload I was speaking of the direction the file would be going in reference to the computer. Download going to engine .

Upload coming from engine. Just to clarify my mindset.  FYI.

Thanks for bringing the up so I can say what's going on in my head.

Regards,

Mike

P.S. GunrunnerJohn did you compare the chain files I sent you with what you already had?

I just noticed more flash icons on your screen shot.

 

Last edited by Winger

GRJ, I interpret that icon, with the arrow pointing down, as sending down to the engine or to download. I interpret the term download as a movement down hill from a larger, greater, or higher source to a smaller, lesser,  or lower source. Example: a movement from the worldwide web to my laptop. The web being higher and greater, moving info down hill to something lower and lesser, my laptop. My laptop is higher, greater, and smarter then the engine. So the movement would be down hill, arrow pointing down, to the engine. The other icons have an arrow pointing up, so Upload to me would be the opposite or an up hill movement to a higher greater source from a smaller, lesser, or lower source. So all along I've been wrong and so is MTH with their arrows. What I take your saying is the correct way to view the wording would be to look at my laptop as the very bottom or lowest point. I guess I should have bought one of those "for dummies" books back when computers became a household tool.

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