How do you run a modern ( MTH ps3.0) in conventional mode without hurting the electronics inside the engine? Can you still sound the whistle/horn? What about the smoke, other sounds, etc.
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It will not hurt the electronics one bit. The whistle and bell operate with your transformer buttons. If you are using a Z4000, you can even trigger other station sound announcements.
I will run conventionally using a post war Lionel ZW transformer.
Just read the engine's instruction manual to learn what features work under conventional control.
I will run conventionally using a post war Lionel ZW transformer.
Make absolutely certain that you insert a 10 amp fast blow fuse or circuit breaker in the hot wire between the ZW and the track!!
Mlewski,
Barry is absolutely correct in advising you to install a fast blow fuse or circuit breaker. In other words, the mechanical circuit breaker in a post war transformer will NOT shut the power down fast enough if you happen to derail or suffer a short to your engine. If that happens, you may fry the electronic boards inside the engine. These repairs do not come cheap. Another alternative is to buy a modern transformer with an electronic circuit breaker such as an MTH Z1000 (about $100) or MTH Z4000 (about $425).
On the smoke/sounds issue, MTH PS2 engines had screws to adjust the smoke output and volume of the sounds on the bottom or inside an opening in the top of the engine. I do not clearly recall if PS3 engines have these adjustment screws (but I think they do) as I run command via DCS and Legacy for Lionel engines. I'm sure that Barry would know the answer to this question.
As others have said, you will have no problem running MTH proto 3 engines in conventional mode. Although you did not raise the issue, I recommend you consider purchasing a DCS remote commander (around $50) to run MTH engines in command mode. That set up has all the basic DCS features (direction, horn/whistle bell, sound, smoke etc). The DCS remote commander is sometimes called DCS Lite.
Erol Gurcan
I did build the TVS & breaker board as per Dale H posting for added protection, I also have the MTH Z1000 transformer with a Z Controller ( variable voltage). I am running the MTH ps 3.0s in command mode now with a TIU, but was just curious, if I would like to run the modern trains in the conventional mode, do I just put them on a track with variable voltage?
Originally Posted by mlewski:
if I would like to run the modern trains in the conventional mode, do I just put them on a track with variable voltage?
Absolutely. When there's no command signal present, command-equipped engines will come up in conventional mode, where speed of the locomotives will be dependent on track voltage. Attempting to run command-equipped engines with 18v of fixed voltage to the track will give you very dicey and unpleasant results real quick! 
Like John said, just bring up the voltage. When you power up a TUI it sends out a watch dog signal to tell locomotives that they are in DCS mode. If they don't see it the locomotives assume they are in conventional mode unless they receive another DCS command and will sit there in neutral - before - forward until the voltage is lowered and raised to cycle to forward like an E unit.
Proto 2 and Proto 3 locomotives use track voltage as a speed "command" when running in conventional. They will start moving at 8 volts, increase speed slowly up to 12 volts and gain speed more quickly between 12 and 16 volts at the locomotive. The cruise control feature works in conventional and will try and maintain speed up or down hill and through curves as "commanded" by track voltage up to the limits of the motor control electronics. If you are trying to pull a very heavy train or heavy grade at slow speed in conventional you may bump into the limits. Other than that one situation the quality of your wiring will be the only limit on locomotive speed performance.
Volphin posted:It will not hurt the electronics one bit. The whistle and bell operate with your transformer buttons. If you are using a Z4000, you can even trigger other station sound announcements.
Hi Volphin
I did know you could run MTH 3.0 engines using the Z4000 transformer. The only reading I'm contacting you is when I contacted MTH I did not mention your name, they said I could burnout the boards on the engine using the Z4000 and that I could not pick up any annnoucements or operate the couplers or do anything with using there system. I assume they are saying the complete truth. Can you pick or anything with the Z4000 that the MTH electronics system can do?..........................JOE
Volphin posted:It will not hurt the electronics one bit. The whistle and bell operate with your transformer buttons. If you are using a Z4000, you can even trigger other station sound announcements.
Hi Volphin
My name is Joe. I did not know you could use the Z4000 to run and pick up sounds and announcements using the Z4000 on MTH 3.0 emgines. Will the Z4000 pickup everything the MTH electronics system is capable of doing. I contacted MTH I did not use your name and I was told I could burnout all the boards on the MTH 3.0 engine using the Z4000. I believe this is is an untruth. I would appreciate any further information you are will to give. THANKS......................JOE
The only reading I'm contacting you is when I contacted MTH I did not mention your name, they said I could burnout the boards on the engine using the Z4000 and that I could not pick up any annnoucements or operate the couplers or do anything with using there system.
That's so absurd as to be ridiculous.
