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If you have an MTH loco (PS1, 2, or 3) that has software troubles, a glitchy sound system, or just shuts down after you power it up, feel free to post a video of it here! Kinda stupid I know, but I'm doing this for a couple reasons.

1. To visually/audibly document software conflicts and data corruptions within these engines

2. To create an inventory of possible remedies for the problems being shown (this will probably be a community effort, as I my self don't have much experience with engine troubleshooting)

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Well Lou, I really don't know as they come to me dead, my mission is just to fix them.  I also have better luck with the 3V boards.

Maybe I should show you the box of dead PS/3 boards, that's an eye opener.

I've yet to fry a PS2 3V or PS3 board on my layout but some other local acquaintances have, lets say, "interesting" wiring/circuit protection on their layouts. They've killed a few PS3 boards. They don't seem to hold up to their abuse as well as the PS2 3V stuff. Surprisingly they've yet to kill a PS1 board. Go figure.  

I believe you on the PS3 boards. Any short and they are dead. 

What a shame that many train enthusiasts have had to have their engines repaired in order to run again.  Out of curiosity, what operating system to you replace them with?   Also what does it cost typically to upgrade (rough range) as I image it depends on the type of engine that needs the work?   

I really admire you gentlemen that understand the electronics these engines are produced with.

I have two MTH PS/1's that work just fine, but I've taken the extra precaution of removing the battery when in long term storage.  I also purchased the BCM(?) a few years back to replace the MTH batteries and I always have a 10A fuse between the transformer and track.  I'm not sure if this amperage is too high or low for the application as I'm electronically challenged? 

To be honest, my PS-1 box is extremely small.  The top boards have been very robust with only an occasional failure.  The bottom boards do have failures, but they are usually fixable.  Diodes, resistors, transistor for motor function, occasional capacitor, and the voltage regulators.  Rare but occasionally I get one that I can not repair.  Pretty robust design they modified to improve by 96/97.  Well charged battery or a BCR used properly and they do extremely well.  G

I'm not quite sure of the purpose of this thread. I have numerous PS-1 engines some of which I still run regularly. Have never had a board failure. Run with BCRs. My experience is similar to GGG's. If you can make yourself content with the sound set and lack of speed control, which I can, I think they are quite satisfactory. When well broken-in and the internal friction is reduced, they even run nicely at slow speeds. Just my opinion.

MELGAR

I mainly created this thread because I find audio glitches and software failures in PS locomotives to be quite interesting. I thought I'd make this so that people could post video documentation of things like garbled/distorted sounds, clanks of death startup, etc.

The problem with THAT is that these things happen quickly, without warning and aren’t repeatable. 

 

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