Upgrading Possibilities of F3 ABA PS1 to PS2/3. (Swap shells? Electronics?)

Yes to all of your questions except swapping PS-3 shell on.  Might be possible, but MTH changed location of switches and such on the PS-3 engines. 

Buying a older PS-2 3V and swapping can work.  Just remember to modify smoke unit and replace couplers.  You also need to follow the PS-2 3V Diesel instructions wrt wiring.  G

Mike, Welcome back!  I was glad to see your name and photograph!  

I see George posted while I was typing.  I'm glad he jumped in.

There are others more versed in this project than me, but I do have some experience at it.  I upgraded a nice, but not outstanding PS1 Western Maryland BL2 to PS3 because I didn't think MTH would produce another any time soon.  Well, MTH must have been watching, because as soon as I did the upgrade, they came out with a PS3 BL2 and one of the paint schemes was Western Maryland Fireball.  Well, at least I gained the experience. 

One problem with the idea of just replacing the electronics from another PS3 engine is that the PS3 also requires it's own couplers, LED lights, speaker, basically the whole works.  They all come in the upgrade kit.

The idea of swapping shells may or may not work.  One thing I saw on my BL2 and the F3 ABA is that on the PS1, for shell lights they used a connector with springs that make contact with copper plates when the shell is placed on.  With the PS3 engines, they used wires and connectors.  There may be other things that need adjusted for a shell swap.

Also keep in mind if you have two powered A units in the PS1 F3 set, you need 2 PS3 kits, so you will get rid of the tethers, but you will then run the ABA as a two engine lashup.

I have two PS3 kits I bought for a PS1 ABA set I later sold.  Now I have a PS1 F3 ABA set that I paid someone to custom paint who didn't do that great a job.  It is better than I can do, but not the quality I hoped for.  So I am thinking I should quit before I incur any more losses, and see if I can find someone who can use the two PS3 upgrade kits on better engines than mine.

I know, this probably opens up for more questions, but I just thought I would share my experiences.  

Thanks, guys.

G, question... What did you mean by " follow the PS-2 3V Diesel instructions wrt wiring"?

Mark, nice to hear from you too.  I saw that you sold that ABA set.  Where did you get your upgrade kits?  I figured swapping the whole electrical system would be easier than upgrading (cheaper maybe, too?).  

Also, if I were to pull the electronics from another type of diesel engine, can I change the correct audio files (overwrite the donor information) and information myself?

Thanks!

Mike, Yes I sold several items. I needed the money to build the layout to run them.  LOL

I bought the kits direct from MTH.  If you are a MTH Railroader Club member they were $175 each.  Non member cost was about $200 each.  I don’t know if you would find a donor engine for that cost.

You can download and install different sound files from the MTH website, so it wouldn’t matter what was in use originally 

Mike, as to whether it is worthwhile to upgrade from PS1 (apart from sentimental value), I would guess a lot depends upon whether the loco is an expensive Premier or not. 

Mike, I know you are up to the task of updating an engine mechanically and painting, since I remember that sharp job you did on the GP20.  If you are comfortable with soldering a few little wires, know how to use a static mat and wrist band, and can follow instructions, you could upgrade them yourself.  The instructions that come with the kits are very well done!!!

mjrodg3n88 posted:

Thanks, guys.

G, question... What did you mean by " follow the PS-2 3V Diesel instructions wrt wiring"?

Mark, nice to hear from you too.  I saw that you sold that ABA set.  Where did you get your upgrade kits?  I figured swapping the whole electrical system would be easier than upgrading (cheaper maybe, too?).  

Also, if I were to pull the electronics from another type of diesel engine, can I change the correct audio files (overwrite the donor information) and information myself?

Thanks!

If your going to take on a scratch build from a different engine, the harnesses will be different depending on lighting etc..  The PS-2 instructions have the wiring diagrams that tell you what pin out on what connector does what.  Plus a lot of other useful information.  IF this is your first upgrade, probably not the way to go.   Get a kit and keep it simple.  G

RJR,
This is a Premier F3 ABA PS1

Mark,
Thanks for that.  I'm sure I could, just thought it would be easier to swap.  Also, I'm not an MTH RR Club member.

G, 
This one will not be a scratch build.  It is a Protosound 1 unit.  This is the actual F3, I took this picture when I was swapping out the battery for the BCR.

Mike, Check your e-mail for a message I sent you yesterday.  Since we live relatively near each other, maybe I can help out. 

By scratch build, I thought you were going to buy a PS-2 engine and swap guts into the PS-1.  Your scratch building a PS-2/3 upgrade kit that way.  G

Thanks Mark, got it.

G,
Ah, okay that makes sense.  I got confused because I was thinking a scratch build from the ground up, basically starting with nothing.

Thanks for the clarification.