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A few questions about two ERR conversions that I am planning:

 

The first is an MTH Railking Proto 1 F3 Diesel.  I am planning the cruise commander and the F3 Railsounds.  This unit is from the 1990s so I assume that the lights are incandescent.  They look like grain of wheat bulbs and there are headlights, marker lights and a cab light. Can anyone confirm that the board can handle these?  Also, I assume that I should replace the PS1 speaker with the ERR speaker or is the PS1 speaker usable. 

 

The second engine is a Willams by Bachmann GP9 from a year or two ago.  Cruise Commander and GP9 railsounds.   It has traditional type incandescent lights.  The speaker in this case is newer, with a plastic back box like an ERR speaker (2”diameter).  Can this speaker be used or should it also be replaced?

 

I know I will get suggestions to convert to LED and I may, but would like to know if the existing lights work with the board.  Thanks

 

Bill

 

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On PS-1 locos, you can just leave the lighting system alone. They have their own circuit boards and work just fine as they are.

 

On the Williams loco, ERR sells small light bulbs with long wires attached. A few of those will do you right, or you can hook the original light bulbs to the ERR board.

 

I have done a bunch of these, both types. I tend to go for a simpler installation, not requiring every bell/whistle/light/doo-dad possible.

 

The ERR speakers are better quality, but you can use the original speakers if they are the same impedance/ohms.

Last edited by RoyBoy

PS/1 diesels don't always have self-contained lighting, and many times it's 1.5 volt bulbs driven directly from the PS/1 board.  Very few RailKing locomotives have the CV boards for the lighting.  Truthfully, I'd do the LED lighting, it's very easy, and will look a whole lot better.

 

You can use the speakers from both of those units, they're both 8 ohm speakers.

 

 

Can you send a picture?

 

The F-3s especially AA or ABA had a Constant Voltage board under the interior details.  It powers the interior light, number board lights, and flashes a Mars light if equipped.


They are 6V bulbs and I would leave them as Royboy stated for a TMCC upgrade.

 

The headlight came in 2 variations depending on year.  One used a 1.5V bulb that got power from the PS-1 board, the other used a 6V bulb driven off a relay on the CV board controlled by the PS-1 board.

 

I would change the headlight bulb to a 14-16V GOW and drive it off the ERR R2LC output.

 

If a basic RK model it might have a bayonet style bulb, but they were normally driven off track voltage.

 

Picture and I can tell you the specifics.  Or test the headlight with a 1.5V battery, if bright that is what it is, if dull it is a 6V bulb.   G

Yes.  Leave the CV powered from the track power.  That gives interior and NB Lights.  Unplug the headlight from the board and keep as a spare.   Unplug the red connector that attaches to the PS-1 board.  Now you have a stand alone 6V CV Board.

 

One of those jumpers like J4 may even have a 150 or 300 ohm resistor inline so you could add a set of series markers if you wanted to add them powered from the CV board.

 

That way you have your R2LC outputs for Head L, Rev L, couplers and smoke if you add it.  G

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