@Craftech posted:Is there a difference with a DCS system set to "conventional" and a conventional setup with a postwar transformer?
If you mean different on the transformer side, then YES in capital letters! By PW I assume you mean the generic design where a roller slides across transformer windings to change the output voltage. The voltage output is a stepped-down version of the AC line voltage so it is "clean" and sinusoidal in shape. By DCS system in conventional I assume you mean the so-called "Variable Channels" where the TIU generates the conventional track voltage. The input to the Variable Channel is a clean 18V AC sinewave. It then uses electronics to chop (mangle) the input to change the output voltage.
If you mean different on the engine side, then MAYBE. You may be referring to the transformer compatibility table in MTH engine manuals. But specific to the matter at hand, for PS2/PS3 engines the speed control behavior should be the same. There are other features such as whistle triggering or smoke volume that may behave differently depending on pure vs. chopped track voltage. Consider that modern MTH PS engines can also operate with DC and DCC track voltage. Those two track voltage types are about as far apart as you can get...with the standard 60 Hz AC (pure or chopped) somewhere in between!
