Question regarding the testing of a MTH PS3 Conversion.....

No problem at all running without lights or couplers connected.  Remember, with PS/2 or PS/3, any grounds to the frame is very bad for the board, just keep that in mind.

Hello GRJ!

Always good to hear from you. Thanks for the "no grounding to the frame" tip and Thanks for confirming its okay to test without lights/couplers.

I'm attaching 2 pics to show where the wiring's at (sorry about the "rats nest" of wires....that's next to organize). As you can see.....the black wires are grounded to brackets mounted under each of the DC motors (I only showed one motor). I'm guess that's an acceptable ground point?

BTW.....as you can see I'm working on a "static safe" work area using a mat grounded to an outlet and a wrist strap grounded to the mat. I read several places that PS3 boards are very sensitive to static electricity and are easily damaged.

The grounds are fine, that's what those tabs are there for.  Yes, the PS/3 boards are a bit touchier than the 3V PS/2 boards, though neither of them were all that fond of static.

FWIW, with the PS/3 diesel kits, the first thing I do is decide what lighting and coupler outputs I'm going to use and remove all the other wires from the connector.  It's still a rat's nest, but less than if you keep all the wires.

Got it......Thanks GRJ! Your input is always appreciated.

The best way to determine motors, is run them on a battery to determine which terminal when positive goes in forward.  Test both motors.  Then attach the yellow motor lead to that terminal.  G

Hey G3! Good tip.....didn't even think of that. I already have the motor wires soldered into the 8 pin wire loom with the connections covered with heat shrink tubing. So I will definitely keep that in mind on my next conversion!

Thanks!