PS3 upgrade problem

Did you load the chain files as well as the sound files?  I just got someone's steamer with a replaced board that had the diesel chain files, it was an odd combination.   Are you sure the headlight and taillight aren't reversed?  If not, load the steam chain files, that will at least fix the lights I would expect.

You also need to make sure daughter board is firmly seated into stacker board and plastic holder has it gripped with notches.  If all was fine except coupler at first, I would think you have the correct flash code.  The diesel code would have directional headlight vice steady on and different smoke output.  For what it is worth I have seen issues with couplers.  Do you run conventionally?  G

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Did you load the chain files as well as the sound files?  I just got someone's steamer with a replaced board that had the diesel chain files, it was an odd combination.   Are you sure the headlight and taillight aren't reversed?  If not, load the steam chain files, that will at least fix the lights I would expect.

I have reloaded the chain files a couple of times, and yes it seems like the operation of the headlight and backup light are reversed, but it didn't do that until after I reloaded the chain files.

Barry

GGG posted:

You also need to make sure daughter board is firmly seated into stacker board and plastic holder has it gripped with notches.  If all was fine except coupler at first, I would think you have the correct flash code.  The diesel code would have directional headlight vice steady on and different smoke output.  For what it is worth I have seen issues with couplers.  Do you run conventionally?  G

The boards look like they are together good and tight, but I'll check again. I also done a conventional reset, but that didn't change anything. The coupler won't work in coventional either, just makes the sound.

If you're using a stacker board try using the stacker chain file for steam.

Pull them apart and reseat them.  But what sound file have you loaded.  A PS-32 board needs to have PS-32 Chain file.  Steam for Steam and than a PS-2 or 3 sound file, though a PS-3 can give weird lighting depending on the model.  IF you loaded a PS-3 chain file with a PS-3 sound file, that is your problem.  Won't work lights right.

But I guess I go back, was this working correctly except an occasional coupler issue, and now it is all different?   G

GGG posted:

Pull them apart and reseat them.  But what sound file have you loaded.  A PS-32 board needs to have PS-32 Chain file.  Steam for Steam and than a PS-2 or 3 sound file, though a PS-3 can give weird lighting depending on the model.  IF you loaded a PS-3 chain file with a PS-3 sound file, that is your problem.  Won't work lights right.

But I guess I go back, was this working correctly except an occasional coupler issue, and now it is all different?   G

The only problem I had to begin with was an occasional coupler issue. The light problem didn't start until after I reloaded the chain files the first time. I just took the tender shell off again and pushed gently down on the top board and wiggled some wires and now the coupler is working again. I still have the light issue. This was a ps1 c&o allegheny 20-3017-1 that I bought new in 1996. I purchased a ps3 steam kit, and as far as I can tell there's a bottem board with a smaller board on top for a total of 2 boards. I bought the boards from a local dealer, and he emailed me the sound and chain files for the ps3 allegheny. But out of the package my boards had a diesel sound set already loaded, which suprised me since I bought a steam kit. I'm going to fiddle with it some more and see what happens. I do appreciate everybody that's replied here, as you've already helped........

Barry

that don't make sense a steam kit should come with no sound file until you load it your self unless you asked the dealer to load it for you and maybe he loaded a diesel file instead of your Allegheny steam file , was the boards in there sealed package when you got the ps3 kit? they always come with a warranty seal  see picture below

Alan

repair technician posted:

that don't make sense a steam kit should come with no sound file until you load it your self unless you asked the dealer to load it for you and maybe he loaded a diesel file instead of your Allegheny steam file , was the boards in there sealed package when you got the ps3 kit? they always come with a warranty seal  see picture below

Alan

The kit was unopened when I got it, and the package with the boards in it was sealed. The fellow I bought it from never opened it or done anything to it. I have just loaded the chain file again, and everything works except the backup light stays on all the time, and the headlight comes on in reverse and goes off in forward. Could I have the wrong chain file? I also went to mth's site and downloaded the files again, so I'm going to try it once more. Also, when I put the chain file in, I get a bunch of loud beeps when I power it down the first time after loading, and it beeps again when I power up the second time. After that it works and sounds great, but the lights are reversed.

Barry

Barry Franklin posted:

repair technician posted:

that don't make sense a steam kit should come with no sound file until you load it your self unless you asked the dealer to load it for you and maybe he loaded a diesel file instead of your Allegheny steam file , was the boards in there sealed package when you got the ps3 kit? they always come with a warranty seal  see picture below

Alan

The kit was unopened when I got it, and the package with the boards in it was sealed. The fellow I bought it from never opened it or done anything to it. I have just loaded the chain file again, and everything works except the backup light stays on all the time, and the headlight comes on in reverse and goes off in forward. Could I have the wrong chain file? I also went to mth's site and downloaded the files again, so I'm going to try it once more. Also, when I put the chain file in, I get a bunch of loud beeps when I power it down the first time after loading, and it beeps again when I power up the second time. After that it works and sounds great, but the lights are reversed.

Barry

I went to the website, downloaded the files again, reloaded the chain files several times 7 times and got errors every time while loading. the 8th time it loaded without any errors, but the headlight and backup light are reversed. Everything else works fine.

Barry

First of all,  all PS-32 boards come loaded with a diesel test sound file (even Steam Upgrade kits).  It is one that has all light features lite.  BUT, production Steam upgrade kits should have the PS-32 Steam flash code installed.  Is the file he e-mailed you a PS-3 file.  If so that is your issue.  The Flash code DID NOT need to be changed on the PS-32 board.  Just load a Sound File.  All this information is posted in some of the Reference threads.

What you need to do, is go back and load JUST the PS-32 Steam Flash code.  That should resolve your issues.  The PS-32 Flash code is not imbedded in a PS-3 file.

PS-3 Steam sound files and flash code are meant to work with PS-3 engines where there is a separate Boiler board and a Tender board that communicate via the data line.  A PS-32 can't replicate that.  So a PS-3 Flash file will not work lights correctly on a PS-32 board.  Outputs are different.   G

GGG posted:

First of all,  all PS-32 boards come loaded with a diesel test sound file (even Steam Upgrade kits).  It is one that has all light features lite.  BUT, production Steam upgrade kits should have the PS-32 Steam flash code installed.  Is the file he e-mailed you a PS-3 file.  If so that is your issue.  The Flash code DID NOT need to be changed on the PS-32 board.  Just load a Sound File.  All this information is posted in some of the Reference threads.

What you need to do, is go back and load JUST the PS-32 Steam Flash code.  That should resolve your issues.  The PS-32 Flash code is not imbedded in a PS-3 file.

PS-3 Steam sound files and flash code are meant to work with PS-3 engines where there is a separate Boiler board and a Tender board that communicate via the data line.  A PS-32 can't replicate that.  So a PS-3 Flash file will not work lights correctly on a PS-32 board.  Outputs are different.   G

I am confused. The only files I have are a sound file and a chain file. I even went to mth's website and downloaded them again. Is the chain file and flash code the same thing? I don't know what a ps32 code is, or where to get one.

Barry

The Chain File is an archive of several files that are used to change the characteristics of PS3 (not PS2) engines. The process of installing these files is known as "flashing" the engine. Hence, this file is sometimes referred to a "flash file".

The flashing process is performed by the Loader Program,

Barry Broskowitz posted:

The Chain File is an archive of several files that are used to change the characteristics of PS3 (not PS2) engines. The process of installing these files is known as "flashing" the engine. Hence, this file is sometimes referred to a "flash file".

The flashing process is performed by the Loader Program,

I have installed and reinstalled the sound files and chain files several times. The backup light in the tender stays on all the time, and the headlight only comes on in reverse.

Barry

George's comment, correct of course, is for the PS/3 upgrade kit, you need the PS32 chain file for steam, it's not the one that comes with the individual sound files.

Here's the PS32 Steam chain file.  Just point the loader at this ZIP file.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Here's the PS32 Steam chain file.  Just point the loader at this ZIP file.

Thanks for the file. I will try this and let you know what happens later this evening.

Barry

Barry,

Just FYI-I had the same symptoms recently on a PS1 to PS3 upgrade-I loaded a PS3 sound file and it's accompanying chain file and got the odd light configurations. Eventually figured it out ,GGG sent me the PS32 chain file, re-flashed the board and all was right with my old UP FEF. Good luck- we are all fortunate to have these fellow forumites to enlighten us!

Vern

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Here's the PS32 Steam chain file.  Just point the loader at this ZIP file.

Hey gunrunnerjohn, I loaded the file you sent me, and it seems to have fixed all the problems! I'm tickled to say the least! If I had the chance to shake your hand, I most certainly would! I had beat my brains out over this. Thanks, and also thanks to everybody that chimed in on this. I appreciate it!

Barry

Are you loading PS3 chain files?  You need to be loading PS32 chain files.  George pointed that out earlier in this post.   I am a very big fan of the PS-32 board sets.

Barry Franklin posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Here's the PS32 Steam chain file.  Just point the loader at this ZIP file.

Hey gunrunnerjohn, I loaded the file you sent me, and it seems to have fixed all the problems! I'm tickled to say the least! If I had the chance to shake your hand, I most certainly would! I had beat my brains out over this. Thanks, and also thanks to everybody that chimed in on this. I appreciate it!

Barry

Well, you should probably shake George's hand first.   I initially recommended the chain file with the sound file, totally forgot about the fact that this was an upgrade kit.

I'll remember it in the future.

Your Welcome:-)  I was getting ready to offer to e-mail it.  I did not want to post it just in case a revision occurs and we have an old file floating on the net.  MTH needs to get this file posted on the Web to help when errors in loading occur like this,

Diesel upgrades are not an issue because they are true PS-3 upgrades.  PS-32 is unique in how it uses the sound file for some of the info, and when used in the Steam upgrade it is more PS-2 3V than PS-3.  So you HAVE to use the PS-32 Steam Flash code otherwise no light function.   G

GGG posted:

Your Welcome:-)  I was getting ready to offer to e-mail it.  I did not want to post it just in case a revision occurs and we have an old file floating on the net.  MTH needs to get this file posted on the Web to help when errors in loading occur like this,

Diesel upgrades are not an issue because they are true PS-3 upgrades.  PS-32 is unique in how it uses the sound file for some of the info, and when used in the Steam upgrade it is more PS-2 3V than PS-3.  So you HAVE to use the PS-32 Steam Flash code otherwise no light function.   G

I do appreciate the help from everybody here. I don't think I would have figured this out on my own. Would this same particular file be used in all steam locomotive kits?

Barry

The file should already be loaded in PS/3 steam upgrade kits.  If it's not loaded, as in this case where something else got loaded, then this is the file to "fix" them.

On my first PS3 upgrade (steam) I had the same thing where there was a sound set loaded already in the boards from the factory. It was also a diesel sound set. The thing was the sounds were so clear and real sounding (especially the bell) I was kind of bummed that I had to erase them but just in case I needed them again someday I first copied them to my computer.

I dodged a real bullet on this one. What happened was: First I copied the program to my computer. That took 2 hours. I then tried to load the new files. I had a lot of trouble as I kept getting errors and the MTH Loader Program kept locking up. Finally, I thought it has to be something with my computer. I then decided to disconnect the Wi-Fi and turn off any programs that might be running in the background and might be interfering with the MTH Loader Program. All regular applications were already off but now I shut down everything that has to do with my Anti-virus software. I still had a few errors but the software loaded. The problem was when I copied the original software to my computer the MTH Loader program gave me an estimate of 2 hours and it took about 1 hour and 55 minutes. When I went to load the new software to the locomotive I got an estimate of something like 20 minutes. I had to pick up my wife from the car repair shop she goes to 2 hours later so I thought I had plenty of time. Nope, 2 hours later it was still going but almost done. I couldn't keep her waiting so I left. I had the switch for the smoke off. I came back about another 2 hours later and the software had loaded properly but when it was completed the locomotive turned the smoke unit on. This smoke unit hadn't been run in like 12 years. It had no fluid in it. I then surmised that the smoke on/off switch doesn't turn on the power to the smoke unit. It tells the electronics that the user wants the smoke unit on and the electronics turn on the smoke unit. Or at least this is my guess. If I am wrong please correct me. Anyway, I got real lucky that I didn't ruin the electronics. However, after that the smoke unit was making a real loud squeaky noise like the bearing in it wore out or needed grease. It sounded just like an old HO AF/X car that needed oil. I was going to fix it right away but then decided to wait and see. So far the noise has been getting quieter so I am hoping that one day it will go away entirely. If not I will replace it then.

Lesson learned. If you have to leave the room while downloading the software to the locomotive make sure the smoke unit is disconnected!