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I am cutting my teeth on my first PS2 conversion.  I acquired a 5v PS2 board from a Rugged Rails F unit.   I am installing it in a Williams scale GG1.  I will not be using the electocouplers (I use Kadees).  There is no smoke unit (I wasn't planning to use one anyway).  I would like to use LEDs for the headlights and Classification Lights. I'm using the pinout diagram that GRJ posted a few years ago.  So here are the questions:

1.  I read somewhere that I need to put a resistor in place of the electocouplers (since I am not using them) to prevent burning out the board.  If this is true, what size?

2.  Can I just remove the smoke switch?

3.  What voltage are the headlight and interior light circuits?  They are DC, correct?  I believe the purple PV wire is positive, correct?  Resistor size for the LED?

4.  It appears that the Marker Light pins are DC and already have a current limiting resistor.  If not, what voltage do they provide?

5.  Will a GG1 5v PS2 file allow control of all of these lights?

Thanks 

Bob

 

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Just a comment on the couplers.  I don't recall how the Williams couplers are wired up.  If they are like the old Lionel coil couplers, they CANNOT be used, because they are grounded to the track.  MTH DCS couplers are grounded back to the board.  You'd have to use a relay or buy and try to mount MTH couplers.

You'd be ahead of the game buying an upgrade kit, which will have everything you'll need, lights, couplers, etc.

Personally, I wouldn't waste time installing a 5-volt board in anything, because they have passed their expected life and you could be wasting your time.

 

Thank you to the guys that responded with answers to my questions.   The upgrade went fine.   There was a 5v GG1 file available (in the RailKing line) and the engine runs great.   Once I got over the intimidating bird's nest of wires and identified them one by one, it wasn't difficult to do.

Bob

MTH electro couplers fit in the Williams G no issue.  I have converted many Williams scale G motors to PS2.    I would not waste my time putting in a 5 volt board.  Go for the PS3 upgrade and you will be in good shape.  Those 5 V boards are like time bombs.  I know you will not like what I said but if you go with the upgrade kit you will have the correct length couplers and all the lighting you may need.  

John, I also have spare 5 V for that reason.  I will not sell any as  they could bite me.   I recently took a new (old stock) never run D&H Alco PA out of my glass case.  Put in a new MTH fully charged green battery and it went 5 feet and died.   I was waiting for my next load of PS-3/2 boards so I put in a rebuilt PS-2  3V board that George did for me.  Done and over.   As I stated many times, MTH did a great service to all by making the PS-3/2 board.  I am a huge fan.

The poster can do what he intends to do and he should keep the 3/2 board in the back of his head.

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