3rd Rail F7 Ps-3 Conversion

No pictures, but this should be a fairly easy conversion I would imagine.  Basically, a flywheel equipped can motor and space for the boards is the primary requirement.

Thank you!  I was a bit curious as I know this model utilizes a horizontal drive system (or was advised as such).  I figure if they have the Lionel system in there, the model should have enough space for PS3.  I appreciate the input!

Well, with the horizontal drive, you do have to see if the PS/3 board package actually fits.  I was going on your "plenty of space" comment.   I've seen other horizontal drive locomotives where space was very tight and it was a challenge to fit the electronics in.

IMO it is doable. The motor sits front of center, behind the cab interior. The TMCC boards are mounted at the very rear of the locomotive. The smoke unit is mounted to the roof of the body. I think PS3 would fit, mounted where the TMCC pack is currently mounted. PS3 may be a hair longer, so the board would probably sit over the top of the speaker, but you could easily build a bracket to get it to sit at the right height inside the shell. 

Originally posted by vale40:

Good Morning all:

Has anyone successfully (or thought about) converting a 3rd Rail F7 to Ps3 using one of the MTH conversion kits?

I doubt it that many purchasers are thinking of this for it's price point offered.

I'm not sure why you'd want to, the ERR board in them work extremely well and these units sound great. its almost more cost effective to buy a legacy system than to install DCS into them. I w2ouldnt consider it an upgrade, and since the gear ratio will not be part of the MTH file you will run into speed issues as well as prime mover RPMs not ramping properly with the locos speed. I have a couple of non MTH steamers I put PS2 kits into and I have had enough issues with the cuff rate being off and the speed being way off Ive decided to change them out to ERR boards.

Thanks all for the responses.  To be clear - I'd never think of modifying a working unit.  Found one with some issues with the current electronics and wanted to know my options.  Thanks again.

It depends on the "issues" it's having.  It'll be a whole lot easier, and I suspect cheaper, to fix any issues the ERR package has.  The PS/3 upgrade kit costs about what the ERR Cruise Commander and the ERR RailSounds Commander together, and it's very doubtful you need both of them, probably not even one of them.

Replacing one of those components would be a drop-in, doing the PS/3 upgrade will be a complete install right down to the bare chassis!

I cannot speak for the 3rd rail F7, but I can for the 3rd rail SD9.  Its easy and fairly inexpensive.

The motor is a horizontal drive that takes up the second quarter of the chassis.  (IE the inner half of the front half of the chassis) in The drive belt goes into the tank. From there drive shafts go to the trucks (i.e under the floor).  That leaves considerable amount of room on the rear half of the chassis.

I bought a PS3 equipped Railking SD9 (on sale, from a Forum Dealer), took out the PS3, and sold the RK one on eBay. I was surprised how much it went for. I also sold the QSI electronics out of the SD9. As a result my net cost for the whole conversion was about $80.00.   

You can use all the exsiting lights in the 3rd rail unit. That makes wiring very easy.  My guess is you can use the 3rd rail electrocouplers as well (I model in 2 rail so I did not have them).  The only thing I was not able to transfer was the smoke unit.  There isn't one in the 3rd rail SD9 and there is simply no room for it. However an F7 might have the room.  Here are some photos:

I have done a few FL-9 conversions.  They are all not bad to do.