PS3 Upgrade Boards

By chance are the new boards plug and play with ps-2 wiring?

Rod

No it is not. The PS3 boards support led lighting for one so all lights have to be changed when converting from P1 or 2.

The retro 3V boards are direct plug in with the 5V plugs.  You do need a battery, speaker and mounting bracket.  Guys this is the way to go.  The boards are two part.  They also have double the memory for newer sound files.  Price wise, about the same.  I upgraded my GG-1 fleet with these.  I know we have put the part numbers out many times but if you want them again, let us know.

I thought that only the new engines with PS3 contained the DCC receivers.

PS3 Boards are available to the public?

Correct, only PS3 is DCC ready.  If you go online and set up an account you should be able to buy retro boards.

David,

PS3 Boards are available to the public?

No, they are not.

Further, MTH policy is, I believe, that only MTH authorized service centers/personnel can purchase PS2 boards as parts at all. The exceptions are the PS2 boards in upgrade kits.

If I'm mistaken, I'm sure that someone will correct me.

Marty,

I think Barry is correct on this.  MTH will not even sell dealers those parts without being an authorized service center.

Dave

Marty, any idea if the PS3 boards will fit into a Docksider?

Dave, special situations exist for everything.  Contact MTH.  I would never go against Barry but do know people who have purchased them. 

I do not have a Docksider but would doubt it. 

Darn!  That's a loco I'd like to use again.  I'd love to get my hands on a PS3 upgrade board and check it against a Docksider.

What loco is it that you want done?   I have a friend who has one and if yours is the same I can open his up for you and get you an accurate answer.

Ok, so the PS3 retro boards are or aren't available? If so, what is the P/N

Mike,

Ok, so the PS3 retro boards are or aren't available? If so, what is the P/N

There are no PS3 "Retro Boards". There are 3 volt PS2 boards with 5 volt PS2 board headers.

Hi Mike,

We can get PS3 boards for replacement for engines that are out already. As far as them being available for upgrade kits won't be till the end of the year or sometime next year. They do expect HO upgrade kits by the end of the year.

They are far from being plug n play. There are seperate boards for the boiler and tender and a couple of different boards for diesels. And the drawbars have 6 pins instead of 10 as a result of the two seperate boards in steam.

As for a docksider a diesel one might work beacuse of not having a tether. But I'm not even sure about that we will have to wait and see.

I'm also waiting for PS3 because of it being able to run 2rail without having the polarity issue.

All good things to those who wait. And it looks likes it's going to be great.

Ralph

Marty, I assume the above was addressed to me.  The MTH Docksider is either 30-1339-0 or 30-1290-0.  I recognize that there isn't enough room to get much more than the basic uncoupling, reversing, and speed features (probably no place for a speaker, but that would enable running under PS2 with other locos.  I had through about an HO board, but I understand that is liumited to 1 amp motor & on occasion mine may draw more than that.

RJR, I would say no on your question.  One crazy thought would be to put the boards in a car behind the engine and treat it as any other steam upgrade.  This way the boards, speaker, battery and volume (optional) pot could reside in the trailing car. 

Marty,

That's a neat idea. You could still make the rear coupler work. I'll have to keep that in mind.

Ralph

I'd thought of that, Marty, and even boought a Cumberland & Pennsylvania bobber caboose to use.  But couldn't bear to gut the interior.  I hate the thought of having to run that runt with a car attached all the time.