I found the steam on the MTH site, but the diesel instructions are nowhere in sight. That may be one of the things holding them up as they're pretty much all new for the PS/3. The steam instructions were really a rewrite of a sections to highlight the differences, but most of the manual is the same or very similar.
John, the lady at MTH made a comment about waiting for the harnesses.
I know, but the fact that the diesel manual hasn't made it to the site suggests it's not ready either. 
An ASC note went about some that shipped with marked up instructions. The new one are posted. G
I just completed a PS32 upgrade (using the kit) and loaded a 3V sound file. When initially putting voltage to the track, there is a loud beeping tone produced. This happens each time power is applied to the track and after power is removed, I assume this is indication the unit has charged the capacitor enough to run. Is this normal? Is there a way to reduce the volume of the tone?
Once the beeping completes its cycle, the engine can be started in the normal fashion from the remote and runs and responds from the remote like any other PS2 engine.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
This is not normal. There's a recent thread, with video, that addresses this. Boards incorrectly programmed at MTH. Only MTH can fix, apparently, and is aware that it's their fault.
I think this is the thread RJR is referring to: PS-3 Upgrade headache
I just read it the other day and I believe it was a very odd and obscure problem.
Thanks, rtr12.
I must have guessed correctly. 
You are most welcome.
I talked to MTH today and they sent me a steam chain file (very nice on the phone by the way). After loading it, problem gone. I am not sure why the upgrade manual would not mention the need for both the chain file and a sound file. A bit different then the PS2 upgrades I have done in the past.
I am sure there are several threads already addressing this very issue, but I really do not think I should have to read a thread for this, it should be mentioned in the manual. Regardless, really appreciate RJR pointing me in the right direction.
Glad to have helped. Real credit goes to VA Golfer, for posting the issue he encountered.
Over the years, on a few occasions I've spoken to MTH techs, and they have always been great.
Hump Yard Mike posted:I talked to MTH today and they sent me a steam chain file (very nice on the phone by the way). After loading it, problem gone. I am not sure why the upgrade manual would not mention the need for both the chain file and a sound file. A bit different then the PS2 upgrades I have done in the past.
I am sure there are several threads already addressing this very issue, but I really do not think I should have to read a thread for this, it should be mentioned in the manual. Regardless, really appreciate RJR pointing me in the right direction.
Mike, Normally you do not need to do that as the PS-3 Steam kit should have the proper flash code installed before shipping. When loading new code the boards will beep until next power up indicating the processor is being updated. Once the code is installed and sound file loaded, those beeps should not occur anymore. If they do, it means a section of the EIS memory (controls the processor) as been corrupted during the load. Some are recoverable with a new flash code load, others require factory reprogramming with factory fixture. This has been discussed before, but I am sure will continue to occur. G
Can the average person get the steam chain file as i am not an MTH tech?
Yes, just download the PS/3 sound file of your choice, you'll see that it's a ZIP file. Inside you find two files, the sound file and the ZIP file containing the chain files. Don't unpack the second ZIP, the loader will process the chain files from the ZIP file as it is. You upload them as two separate operations to the PS/3 locomotive.
gunrunnerjohn posted:Yes, just download the PS/3 sound file of your choice, you'll see that it's a ZIP file. Inside you find two files, the sound file and the ZIP file containing the chain files. Don't unpack the second ZIP, the loader will process the chain files from the ZIP file as it is. You upload them as two separate operations to the PS/3 locomotive.
Thanks John. I have never done an upgrade yet as i am still researching what i am getting myself into.
feet posted:gunrunnerjohn posted:Yes, just download the PS/3 sound file of your choice, you'll see that it's a ZIP file. Inside you find two files, the sound file and the ZIP file containing the chain files. Don't unpack the second ZIP, the loader will process the chain files from the ZIP file as it is. You upload them as two separate operations to the PS/3 locomotive.
Thanks John. I have never done an upgrade yet as i am still researching what i am getting myself into.
I'm with you Feet! I have never done an upgrade, but have two Premier PS1 diesel sets I would like to upgrade some day. Putting all the new features on a couple of great looking engines is a great opportunity!
gunrunnerjohn posted:Yes, just download the PS/3 sound file of your choice, you'll see that it's a ZIP file. Inside you find two files, the sound file and the ZIP file containing the chain files. Don't unpack the second ZIP, the loader will process the chain files from the ZIP file as it is. You upload them as two separate operations to the PS/3 locomotive.
John, This is not correct for a PS-32 Upgrade Steam file. MTH is suppose to post the chain file on their web for PS-32 steam and diesel. It is different than a Pure PS-3 chain file in a PS-3 engine. The good news is the PS-32 Steam upgrade kits come preloaded with PS-32 Steam flash code.
For the customers, if you want to learn more start at the beginning of this thread and read the differences. When upgrading a steam engine with a PS-32 steam kit you are suppose to load a PS-2 3V file. You maybe able to load a PS-3 Sound file only, but performance may vary. YOU CAN NOT LOAD A PS-3 STEAM Chain FILE into a PS-32 board set. It won't work and you will loose all light function. G
Good point, I wasn't thinking of the upgrade kit, but rather standard PS/3 boards. I've yet to deal with the PS/3 upgrade.
Ignore my previous message folks! 
I hope Jim Barret makes a dvd for the PS-32 upgrade kits. Sure liked the one he did on PS-2 upgrade kits.
It really is the same for PS-3 Steam upgrade. The harness and hardware are all the same, less the battery and battery harness. Follow the video and just stick to loading a PS-2 3V upgrade or PS-2 3V factory file for the engine you are upgrading and you should not have any problems.
People get into trouble trying to load PS-3 files. It wasn't really meant for that. It has been explained above. What works and what doesn't, and even why. G.
That's what i was thinking GGG, thanks for that info.
Anyone have these answers???
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-1 diesel A-unit to PS-2?
(Using PS-2 upgrade kit or PS-3 upgrade kit.)
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-1 diesel A-unit to PS-3?
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-2 (5v) diesel to PS-3?
Will a matching powered PS-1 B-unit operate with an A-unit upgrade without any modifications?
What is the cost for the upgrade from PS-2 (3V) to PS-3?
What parts (upgrade kits) are (or will be) available directly to the consumer (not just MTH techs)?
Ps3 upgrade kits are available from mth. $199 msrp; cheaper thru mthrr club
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-1 diesel A-unit to PS-2?
(Using PS-2 upgrade kit or PS-3 upgrade kit.)
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-1 diesel A-unit to PS-3?
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-2 (5v) diesel to PS-3?
Al the same price. $199 for a PS3 upgrade kit, a bit less if you belong to MTH's RR Club. PS2 kits are no longer available.
Will a matching powered PS-1 B-unit operate with an A-unit upgrade without any modifications?
No, absolutely not.
What is the cost for the upgrade from PS-2 (3V) to PS-3?
Same kit, same cost.
What parts (upgrade kits) are (or will be) available directly to the consumer (not just MTH techs)?
Most things except the boards. Only a tech can purchase a PS3 board of any type.
Barry,
i was not aware the boards are only available to MTH certified technicians. However, I think that is best. Having worked as an electronics technician since 1976, and now in engineering, I take the warnings on the manual about using a static pad and wrist strap and the warranty being voided once the static bag is opened very seriously. I had toyed with the idea of upgrading my PS1 B&O E8 ABA set myself, but will take it to Dave Minarik's Mercer Junction instead.
Thank you for the answers!
Barry Broskowitz posted:What is the cost to upgrade a PS-1 diesel A-unit to PS-2?
(Using PS-2 upgrade kit or PS-3 upgrade kit.)
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-1 diesel A-unit to PS-3?
What is the cost to upgrade a PS-2 (5v) diesel to PS-3?
Al the same price. $199 for a PS3 upgrade kit, a bit less if you belong to MTH's RR Club. PS2 kits are no longer available.
Will a matching powered PS-1 B-unit operate with an A-unit upgrade without any modifications?
No, absolutely not.
What is the cost for the upgrade from PS-2 (3V) to PS-3?
Same kit, same cost.
What parts (upgrade kits) are (or will be) available directly to the consumer (not just MTH techs)?
Most things except the boards. Only a tech can purchase a PS3 board of any type.
Thanks for the information.
What modifications are needed to convert a PS-1 powered B-Unit to PS-2 or PS-3 so that it could operate with an already modified A-unit?
What modifications are needed to convert a PS-1 powered B-Unit to PS-2 or PS-3 so that it could operate with an already modified A-unit?
You would have to either acquire a PS3 slave board or install an upgrade kit in the B unit. If the latter, you would then use the B unit as a member of a lashup.
Barry Broskowitz posted:What modifications are needed to convert a PS-1 powered B-Unit to PS-2 or PS-3 so that it could operate with an already modified A-unit?
You would have to either acquire a PS3 slave board or install an upgrade kit in the B unit. If the latter, you would then use the B unit as a member of a lashup.
Thanks for the info.
Looking for an authorized MTH tech to upgrade MTH PS1 F3 diesel A-B sets.
Also looking for board upgrades for PS-2 diesels having 5V batteries.
My location is Kansas City, MO.
Need to clarify a little here. First PS-2 boards are not sold in the Upgrade kits anymore. You may find a PS-2 upgrade kit from a retail store that has one still in stock, but all new Upgrade kits are of the PS-3 variant,
The PS-2 Slave kit was only sold to ASC Techs, because of the extra level of difficulty in the install. Not saying an experienced hobbyist couldn't to it, but that was MTH policy.
There is no PS-3 Slave upgrade kit. If you have an ABA, or Turbine unit with powered B MTH recommends using 2 PS-3 upgrade kits to make both independent units and then run as MU/Lashup.
A PS-2 Slave board will not work with PS-3 A unit and vice versa.
Back to earlier post in this thread, a PS-32 board (which is what is in the Steam Upgrade kit); is a PS-3 Diesel board with modified flash code to work with PS-2 3V files and an adapter board to run bulbs and such. It uses PS-2 3V harnesses. This board can work with a PS-2 slave board. This board with 5V connectors is also the replacement board to repair a PS-2 5V engine. The warning is that this board is slightly wider and taller, and with all the wires at the top. Does not fit in all applications.
Examples are back into Bantam and some RK engines, where original 5V boards were. Engines with small tenders like Climax, PR Atlantics, and some RK engines where speaker is in the front or middle of tender. G
Not true, you can install a tether, and one comes with the steam kit. Also, that locomotive has a tether, it has to. The board is in the tender, and the motor and power pickups are in the locomotive. Here's a picture from the parts breakdown. You replace this 4-wire tether with the one from the PS/3 kit.
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gunrunnerjohn posted:Not true, you can install a tether, and one comes with the steam kit. Also, that locomotive has a tether, it has to. The board is in the tender, and the motor and power pickups are in the locomotive. Here's a picture from the parts breakdown. You replace this 4-wire tether with the one from the PS/3 kit.
Thanks for the info John, I was looking at the pix on the website and did not see the tether, so I thought it didn't have one.
So am I to assume you believe it can be done, theoretically?
I believe it can be done quite simply, certainly as easy as most other upgrades. There's nothing I see about that set that poses any unique challenge, looks pretty generic. Plenty of room in the tender for the boards and speaker, Easy Peasy.
gunrunnerjohn posted:I believe it can be done quite simply, certainly as easy as most other upgrades. There's nothing I see about that set that poses any unique challenge, looks pretty generic. Plenty of room in the tender for the boards and speaker, Easy Peasy.
Thanks John. 
Charly, That one can be done. It is a larger RK engine. So plenty of room. G
Must be an echo in here.
You "believed", I confirmed it "can" be done. 
Two weeks ago I successfully completed my first PS3 upgrade. It had been 11 years since I did an upgrade so I took my time with it. There was a lot I didn't remember so it paid off to go slowly and follow the directions.
I just re-read this entire thread and I am still unsure about my next one so here goes. It is a PS2 with scale wheels. I believe it is a 3 volt board but won't know for sure until I take it apart. I need DCC compatibility which is why I want to upgrade it.
Can I just swap the boards or is there more to it than that?
If the answer is yes I would like to then install PS2 using the PS2 board from the scale wheels locomotive, which has low miles and hours on it into a PS1 Rail King locomotive using the rest of the upgrade kit. Will this work too?
Phil
Yes It will. Just remove the PS-2 3V board, board bracket and heat sink. Remove battery, battery harness and holder. You probably can mount the PS-32 board in the existing holes without the metal bracket. At that point you only need to drill and tap one hole to mount the new PS-32 heat sink.
Use remove parts from PS-2 3V in your new engine. Harness are the same, sans battery harness.
PS Is this 2R-3R? If so you should redo switch wiring as polarity switch no longer required. Also if you run 2 wheels there are mods you can do to improve AC Ground transfer. G
Thank you very much for the help GGG. I sincerely appreciate it.
