Replacing 5V PS2 with 3V PS2 ?

For someone who runs 3 rail what is the advantage of PS3 vs PS2 other than size. I have a few PS3 engines and don't find the sounds or operation any better than my PS2 engines.

Speaker size has more of an impact on sound quality than the electronics behind them.

Pete

Some advantages would be the elimination of the battery, larger memory capacity, and smaller footprint.  Possible negatives would be limited sound-set/personality files that are presently available to download into the PS3 loco.

The battery is hardly a major issue, and the larger memory capacity only makes a difference if you have something useful to use the extra memory. 

FYI, you can load PS/2 3V sound files into the PS/3 boards, that increases the range of sounds you have a bunch.  The control functions are loaded separately in the PS/3 chipset using the chain files.

John, thanks for the clarification.  Wasn't the major selling/marketing feature of PS3 the fact that you would never need to worry about the unit's battery having a full charge or leaking?  It was my understanding that the added memory also provides for higher sound quality (larger memory required) sound files.

Am I understanding correctly your last paragraph that PS3 currently offers users the ability to assemble control and sound features?  Or is your description more intended to describe the PS3 chip's design/setup structure and just PS3 engines can accept and run PS2 sound/personality files?  Do the PS2 personality files need to be of a certain series/era... 5 volt or 3 volt?

I hope the day comes when users can assemble and input custom sound files (even for a reasonable fee).

As I said, you can load 3V PS/2 sound files into the PS/3 boards.  The chain files are separate files that determine the operating characteristics of the locomotive, the PS/2 sound file just changes the sounds.  Since many of the older PS/2 5V locomotives have upgrade 3V sound files, this gives you a pretty wide range of sounds for a PS/3 locomotive.

I think assembling your own sound file is still a ways off.  At least with MTH you can change sound files, so far with Lionel, that's not possible.  The interesting thing about Lionel is there is an interface to program the sound card, but the files to do so are not available, and are very unlikely to be anytime soon.

Marty, when you're able to talk about the PS3 upgrade boards, I'd like to hear your views on how easy it would be to use it to replace a 5-volt board that located in the steamer loco, rather than tender.  I have 3 of these, so it's just a matter of time before I have the issue.

All, FYI:  I didn't realize until I was told by MTH yesterday that when loading files to a PS3 loco, use the "FLASH" menu item in the Loader.  Loader V 2.34 says "This is for the PS3/HO diesel loco only", which I took as meaning only for HO with PS3.  The slash "/" should be read as an ambersand "&".  Also that it only applies to diesels.  Wonder if one can load to computer a file FROM a PS3???

Doh!  I missed that detail of your earlier reply.  Thanks again for the update.

Robert,

One loads sound files into PS3 engines exactly as one would load sound files into PS2 engines. It's the Chain File that loads via the FLASH icon.

Further, all PS3 engines (O, HO, steam, diesel, electric) load chain files via the FLASH icon.

Upgrade done.  Robert, the PS3 kit will have a 2 board system that connects together much like the PS2 board set.  The steam kit will not have a board in the tender and one in the engine.  Everyone will be very happy.  I am.  Hopefully we will hear some information from MTH.

Thanks for the update, Marty.  Don't know whether that will complicate or simplify steamer in-loco board replacement.

An easy job.  MTH will be doing a bit on this very soon.

GRJ< I want to thank you for the tip on bending aluminum:  hitting it with a blowtorch first.  I fabricating a screened frame for a marine de-icer and had to bend aluminum into a half-loop to clamp on a rod.  Was very easy.

Interestingly, drilling residue on the bolt holes doesn't file off the torched aluminum very easily.

Interesting comment about the drilling residue, I hadn't run into that.  I'm not normally drilling near the bend, so it hasn't come up.

Probably not the heat as much as the work of the bending stresses.  One thing I started doing to reduce the roughness of holes is drill a small pilot, and then partially drill on both sides of the metal to get a clean exterior, then complete the drilling from one side.  Greatly reduces the deburring needed.  G

I drill a pilot hole, but I like the idea of partually drilling the proper sized hole from each side, interesting tip.

"Deburring"--that the word I was thinking of by "drilling residue."  These are strips about 2" long.  I torched the 6" strip, then cut it to length bent it into a semi-circle, with a flat portion on each side, drilled on the flat portion.  I couldn't jet a stainless J-bolt small enough (#8 or #10).

Couldn't have done it without the tip I got on the forum.

If drilling from each side, how does one get perfect alignment, unless you wait for the dimple to appear on the reverse?

If I am drilling a 1/4" hole, the pilot is 1/8 or 1/16" all the way through.  Drill part way with 1/4" but before going all the way through stop.  Turn over and then drill all the way through.  Normally the exit is where the deburring is needed.  So drill all the way through from the side that is most critical to a clean finish.  You can also use an oversized bit to debur.  Just pick it large enough not to bit and start a larger hole.   G

 The operation should be the same. Having them match is a true benefit.

Some of the other benefits include advanced lighting features. Having the ground and interior lights shut off and the headlight go bright on the diesels for example. More functions available to be controlled by the board. I bet they could make a advanced soundset to control much more. Maybe a Trackmobile soundset with all the flashing lights too??

Thanks, GGG. I overlooked the fact you have a pilot hole, which of course gives hole location.