Question about the Soundset involved with MTH Locos

You cannot put proto2 sound sets into proto 3 boards, the software and sound files are vastly different. When you get a proto2/3 upgrade the board has a special patch loaded onto it to install proto2 sound sets and get the correct lighting functions. If you load proto3 sound sets into the board it will erase the patch and your lighting will not function properly. Don't get all excited about the PS3 upgrade. All it is is a PS3 board operating ps2 sLund sets and lighting functions. Basically the only difference between the ps2 and PS3 upgrade is there isn't a battery on the PS3 upgrade

Matt, you can put a PS2 sound file into a PS3 locomotive.  The PS2 sound file must be a 3 volt file.  You can not use the PS2 5 volt sound file.  PS3 boards have a series of chain files loaded in.  These are also known as identity files.  Any PS2 3 volt file can be loaded into the PS3 board and the only thing that gets changed is the sound and not the chain files.  If you have the adapter board with the Hirose ( black 5 volt) connectors, you load a 5 volt file.

 

Correct on the proto 2/3 boards.  PS2 3 volt files for the board with the 3 volt connectors on the adapter board and PS2 5 volt files into the set having the adapter board with the 5 volt connectors.  P/n for the adapter board with 5 volt connectors is AE-1005v36. This is the board with the Hirose (black) connectors.  The board with the 3 volt Chyao Shinn (white) connectors is p/n AE-1003v36.

Thanks for the clarification Marty, I haven't been to PS3 school yet to learn all the ins & outs

It is confusing a bit.   I have some PS 3 engines and have put PS2 files in many of them. 

Matt, There is a lot more to the PS-3 and PS-32.  They are not polarity sensitive and can detect DCS signal on either rail.  For this reason 2 Rail guys love them.  Additionally they are DCS and DCC capable.  So there is more to it then the battery/supercap.

 

Marty, your post seems to imply you load PS-2 5V file into the 5V hirose adapter boards.  I know you know that is not correct. Only original PS-2 5V boards can accept 5V sound files.  The PS-2 3V and PS-32 5V when used to replace a PS-2 5V board, use the PS-2 3V Upgrade sound file or any PS-2 3V sound file.  G

Tim, You can choose a Big Boy file if you really want passenger sounds, otherwise all the Cab fwds seem to be freight.  G

Thank you George.  I did not put in the part of the upgrade files.  Please accept my apology.  That is what I get for posting late at night.  Yes I do know the difference and would never want to confuse anyone. 

One problem with using different sound files for the Cab Forwards is they have a unique sound that no other steam locomotive makes.  It will be clear that you don't have the sounds for a Cab Forward if you use any other articulated locomotive sound file.

Marty, You know you don't need to apologize to me.  I just didn't want others to not catch the difference. 

 

You know how some of these threads get legs  G

Tim, I've never done one, but I've heard that upgrading a cab forward has complexities.  You may want to post a request for comments on that particular upgrade.

I've done the RK Cab Forward, it's not that much different than other similar steamers.  I did some extra detailing in the cab and the lighting which took some time, but the basic conversion was pretty normal.

Tim Lewis the ps3 kits are out and have been released, just got mine Saturday so you can order them now.

part number 50-1911 for ps3 kit for Steam ,Diesel is 50-1912

Alan

Thanks!

Those numbers come up with a blank when searched on the MTH website 

I know this a O gauge forum, but are these kits compatible with HO / is there a HO version? Thanks all, the information posted here is great.

If you can figure out a way to get all those components into an HO scale loco im sure it would work but short answer is no.

No.  MTH doesn't sell an HO Upgrade kit.  Would be an interesting addition to the market it they sold a decoder kit.  G

MTH does market HO PS3 locos, but as far as I know only techs can get the boards for replacement.

It is not just the board you would need but also the mounting bracket, and the harness.  G

Thanks everyone for the responses! I already have a ton of MTH HO PS3 engines, just wish my Kato Metra stuff was dcs as well. It's always hit or miss if MTH will make that engine, they did it in PS2/O (which I have and will never give up haha). Maybe down the line I will find a HO PS3 engine with similar chassis dimensions be able to retrofit the Kato shell/detail parts. Sounds would still be an issue. Unless there is some magical way to convert the Metra PS2 sound set to PS3. I think I mostly like the idea of hacking things together! Thanks all, such a great community.