I am having a MTH Authorized Service Center install a PS 2-3 board in both of the powered A-units on a 20-80002A DAP Santa Fe Clear Body F-3 ABA Diesel Set that now has PS 1. I also wanted to add colored LED lights inside the clear shell and I was told that there may be warranty issues with the new boards because of various factors related to adding those lights. Would adding colored LED lights void the warranty on the PS 2-3 boards?
Replies sorted oldest to newest
GAD, I can't see why! The only thing I can see is they're worried about you damaging the board in the installation process. Surely, anyone that has any understanding of electronics and these boards in particular, wouldn't think that having some LED lights around would affect them.
PS2/3 board can drive lot's of lights. Heck I have a loco that has 10 incandescent bulbs running off the interior circuit....not Led's mainly because I haven't swapped them over yet. If I burn up the lighting board, well it's cheap enough to replace.
Those clear body F units are definately a good candidate for some interior disco lights!
No need to drive the lights from the board, you can power them from track power. The comment about it damaging the electronics is pretty bogus IMO.
They are probably concerned about quality of workmanship. You as an owner are most likely an unknown quantity to them (MTH).
First, MTH is not doing this they do not do upgrades. As stated an ASC is doing the upgrade. SO the question is who is doing the LED install? I see no issues with this.
Either going track power for lights which has no impact on PS-3 board. Or powering them off the harness. I would limit LEDs to about 4 per connector. We do not have any info on capacity of the light circuit on PS-3 and I do know the buffer or limiting resistor can go bad and you can loose a light output (not repairable) so I would not tax the board.
Of course it is the ASC prerogative to say they do not want to do it. In which case you need to find an installer that will. G
I'd do them from track power, no chance of having an issue with the boards.