Questions about transplanting a 5v PS2 board in a Williams scale GG1

Just a comment on the couplers.  I don't recall how the Williams couplers are wired up.  If they are like the old Lionel coil couplers, they CANNOT be used, because they are grounded to the track.  MTH DCS couplers are grounded back to the board.  You'd have to use a relay or buy and try to mount MTH couplers.

You'd be ahead of the game buying an upgrade kit, which will have everything you'll need, lights, couplers, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't waste time installing a 5-volt board in anything, because they have passed their expected life and you could be wasting your time.

Thanks.

The Williams GG1 has manual couplers.  I will be converting to Kadees.

I am aware of the limitations of and potential failure with 5v boards.  This conversion is to learn on.  I'd rather do my screw-ups on this board than a $200 PS3 board.

Bob

THat resistor thing is for PS-3 not PS-2.  If your using LED for lights you need to put a current limiting resistor on the line to the LEDs.  Typically around 150 to 470 ohms depending on brightness you want.  220 works.  G

Thanks, George.

Is pin 2 (PV, purple wire) the positive lead?

Are 5 volt sound files still available?????

Gregg posted:

Are 5 volt sound files still available?????

I think most are converted to 3v files these days. 

Gregg, I'm sure there are persons who would be glad to remove 5-volt boards from locos and sell them, using the money to replace them, if they could find a *****.

"There's one born every minute."--P.T.Barnum

Yes sound file are still posted.  Purple is Positive (PV). G

Thank you to the guys that responded with answers to my questions.   The upgrade went fine.   There was a 5v GG1 file available (in the RailKing line) and the engine runs great.   Once I got over the intimidating bird's nest of wires and identified them one by one, it wasn't difficult to do.

Bob

A substantial percentage of people are scared off from doing a job (on model RR or elsewhere) because they are intimidated.  But you identified each, and then went on successfully.  That's the trick to tackling an intimidating problem--track each component down.

MTH electro couplers fit in the Williams G no issue.  I have converted many Williams scale G motors to PS2.    I would not waste my time putting in a 5 volt board.  Go for the PS3 upgrade and you will be in good shape.  Those 5 V boards are like time bombs.  I know you will not like what I said but if you go with the upgrade kit you will have the correct length couplers and all the lighting you may need.  

I agree with your advice, Marty, but it seems to be too late.  On the other hand, having done an upgrade, when the 5-volt board does fail, he'll have to confidence to install a latest-version upgrade kit.  Nothing like success to build confidence for future efforts.

Bob, the PS3/2 board can be used.  It would be easier to do it the right way from the get go.   The 5 V board is a thing of the past.

You're right, Marty, but the only way to get the 3/2 board would be to be a tech or a good friend to a tech.  And he still wouldn't have all the features, since the loco is a Williams.

Smoke and operating pans would be missing.  That is a very small trade off for a scale GG-1 that will run on 0-42.   I would dump the 5 volt board and buy an upgrade kit.  If the poster has a 5 volt board that is still alive, someone will buy it and that would be good money towards a PS3 upgrade kit.

Wonder what makes the williams unit need 0-42 and the MTH premier unit need 0-72, since there both scale and models of the same engine. Also could the williams do 0-36? If so, I might get one and do this. 

The design of the side frames make it happen.  0-42 is the stretch.

I know the Lionel JLC GG-1 doesn't like O42 curves.

One thing about installing the 5V board.  If it later dies, you can obtain the PS32 replacement and just "drop it in" to replace it, no additional wiring involved.  If you already have the 5V board and wiring harness, you don't risk a lot of extra work if it croaks.  I keep several spare 5V boards in case one dies in one of my locomotives.

John, I also have spare 5 V for that reason.  I will not sell any as  they could bite me.   I recently took a new (old stock) never run D&H Alco PA out of my glass case.  Put in a new MTH fully charged green battery and it went 5 feet and died.   I was waiting for my next load of PS-3/2 boards so I put in a rebuilt PS-2  3V board that George did for me.  Done and over.   As I stated many times, MTH did a great service to all by making the PS-3/2 board.  I am a huge fan.

The poster can do what he intends to do and he should keep the 3/2 board in the back of his head.