PS3 upgrade information.

John, I was just about to post the same thing. The Bantam I did I put in the boiler and it was TIGHT and I had to get creative with the wiring.

John, how did you handle front marker lights on the loco when you put the replacement board into the tender/

If an upgrade has markers, I either leave the CV board they run from, or if that's not there, a resistor and diode to track power.

Yes, these were original 5V with boards in the engine.  That is usually the harder replacement with a non original board.

 

If I go that route RJR, I feed the engine markers off the headlight circuit with a limiting resistor.  Works fine and they don't come on until engine is started up.

 

While there looks to be plenty of room at the base and length, you start running out of real estate at the top.  Narrows and looses height.  Plus you are trying to match up to existing threaded holes.  G

GGG, so you add the 2 markers to the headlight circuit.  What size resiator do you use?  I assume the headlight xircuit can handle the 2 marker bulbs in the PS2 upgrade kit?

No problem adding the load of a couple of LED's to the bulb circuit, I've seen three or four incandescent bulbs on lighting circuits on factory installations.  The bulbs draw more than LED's...  I'd use a 330 or 370 ohm resistor, and maybe even larger.  I don't like the markers to be brighter than the headlights, so I tend to tone them down.

 

john when you add the resisters for lighting led's dov you use 1/4 watt or half watt?

Alan

It has been awhile sinc I dug into an upgrade kit.  Were the markers leds or grain of wheat?

PS2 upgrade kit markers are 2mm ceramic LED's.

 

Alan, I use 1/4w resistors, there's rarely a need for more power dissipation.  I also tend to try to string them in series whenever I can to minimize the power dissipation of the resistor.

 

I use a 150 ohm resistor and convert the markers to series if they are not already series.  150 is what MTH used on PS-1 6V CV boards.  All PS-2 markers are series.

Works fine.  G

Ok, Here is the install in a PS-2 5V FA-2 ABA.  Tight between motor and smoke, so I had to mount board sideways. Used the original PS-2 5V bracket which screws in from the bottom of the chassis (Good).  Bent it up vertical and used it to heat sink the rectifier.   G

Is there any word on when the consumer PS3 upgrade kits will be shipping?

Last I heard was June for the steam kits, but I'm not holding my breath.

 

George, that was a tight one.  Good move.  John, when 

Jeff did the service updates, did you request any kits?

I didn't, are they available?  I still have a couple of the PS/2 kits.

Some were sent to the tech guys who requested them.  My best information is they will be ready for July.  The public can buy them then also.  MTH is still keeping the PS3 2 board to replace 5 and 3 volt boards to tech only.  I will not buy and sell these to people unless I am the person who does the installation.  I still have many 5 volt boards running around the layout.  

 

The kit is the same except no battery or wiring that goes with it.  You can do one in your sleep John.  

Since they're using the "replacement" board, I figured the kits would be very similar.  I've used some of the PS/32 boards for 5V replacements, but I still have a few spare 3V boards that I can use as well.

 

I wonder what is holding up the diesel upgrade, maybe it's the extra stuff like pantographs?

 

the last i heard from mth i had ordered 2 ps2 3 volt steam kits but they did not get as many as they thought they would , so i was called after i placed the original order and they said they would mail me a ps 3 kit in it's place since ps 2 3 volt kits where no longer available. Midge told me that the ps3 kits would be shipped in June 2015!

Alan

What are the MTH part #s for the PS3 upgrade kits?

 

Thanks.

The kits on hand were sent to the tech guys for beta testing.  Part numbers are 50-1911 for steam and 50-1912 for diesel.

 

Diesel harness are the hold up.  G

Here is a DASH-9 Upgrade.  I thought some one stated this did not fit because of body width.  It is very tight and I had to do some precision measurements before attaching the bracket.  Tolerances where about 1mm. It had to be centered along width, but also fore and aft because of the tabs on the body.  You could trim these off as an alternative.

 

Wires must run from front or rear.  Can't have wires coming up the side of the board.

 

G

Nicely done again George. Its obvious you are a perfectionist. The factory jobs are not as well done.

 

Pete

Thats because George can take the time to do it right. The Chinese just slap it together, chop-chop-done-next, since its probably pay by the piece work.  More engines/cars is more Yaun in the pocket.

I want to upgrade my SF Blue Goose with scale wheels from PS-2 to PS-3 so I can run it on DCC.

 

I was told that the PS 2/3 kits would be available in June.  This is June 30.  Are the boards available?  Does anyone know when they will be available if they aren't here yet?

 

Thanks,  NH Joe 

Hi I just talked to Midge yesterday at MTH she told me the ps3 kits might not be out until July or August!

Alan

I suppose that July or August really means September or later.  I guess that I will just have to wait.  It is frustrating.

 

NH Joe

Don't know if this was answered, but will the PS3 upgrade kits be available for conventional locomotives that have can motors and flywheels? Was thinking about switching some Atlas engines over to Proto-3 since they're the older 32-step TMCC.

Yes,  Same requirement as PS-2.  DC motor and flywheel and you can upgrade to PS-32.  G

Thanks.

Marty, do you have to have a PS1 get Upgraded to Proto 2.0 before you upgrade it to Proto 3.0? Or can you just convert a Proto 1.0 to Proto 3.0 right off the bat?

Thanks

Not Marty, but see GGG's reply two messages up.

 

---PCJ

Tim, No. Yes.

 

Once upgraded to ps2, no point in going to ps3.

YES PS 3 can me put in any engine as long as it has dc motors and flywheel for tach board.   all kit's you purchase ps2 ps3 instruction on how to upgrade the steam or diesel engine!Alan

Do we have pricing on these kits?

Spoke to MTHRRC today.  PS3 upgrade kits are shipping, as they are received.  Working now on backorders,  Steam mote available than diesel, for now.  Club price $149 plus shipping.

 

That is great pricing, hope they leave it there for a while.

Further conversation with MTH indicates (1) the MTHRRC website will continure to be unavailable for a month or so (maybe by Yorkday) and I shouldn'ty look for my ship until about then.