I was going to sell my MTH railking camelback and had some remorse last night. Pulled out the manual for the item trying to learn what has to be removed in order to convert this to TMCC. Maybe it was the hour, maybe it was the beer, either way I could not make heads or tales on needed to be done. Can anyone point me to the correct component I assume is in the tender that needs to be replaced?
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All the boards (There are 2) needed to be replaced to convert to TMCC. Here is a video on installing the boards. Here is a forum post on someone that did it on one of his PS-1 locomotives. gunrunnerjohn has one that he did the upgrade on, and I have one that I will be doing the upgrade on as soon as I get a motor for it as mine has a bent shaft.
From the Electric Railroad website there is a Products Selection Guide. You can contact them via phone or E-mail with your specific upgrade requirements.
We recommend you call us at (408) 454-4127 or email us at SUPPORT to best determine your requirements. We will be glad to help you to decide what product works best for your budget!
Once you determine the product you want, Review the online installation to determine the intensity of the install.
Example: Cruise Commander Instruction Manual. Click to access.
All the work is done in the tender. You can re-use the original tether.
I add an additional single wire to control the smoke unit, but you can leave that off and just use the original switch under the cab.
So, if you want to do a simple installation, you do not even have to touch the locomotive. Just do the tender.
Get a cruise commander, rather than a DC commander. The extra cost of the cruise commander will be forgotten once you experience the pleasure of cruise control.
Truthfully, I'd replace the tether with a 10-pin tether and have control of the smoke unit and headlight at a minimum. With the original tether, all you have is basic motor control.
with only buying the cruise commander, Proto-sound will be lost, correct?
Correct, you don't get any sound with the Cruise Commander and the PS/1 module is not compatible.
(A start material list for your project) You would probably need.
(1.) ERR Cruise Commander kit.
(2.) Sound board??? compatible with the Cruise Commander kit.
(3.) Speaker, PS1 speakers most likely are not 8 ohm speaker(s). Correction note, see John's post.
(4.) Electro-coupler(s) ?? There are different lengths. MTH electro-couplers are usually a different voltage, which requires the electro-couplers to be replaced. Correction note, see John's post.
(5.) Tender/Loco Tether assembly male/female Usually more pins than the standard (4 pin) tether with most steam locomotives. (8 and 10 pin) seem to allow for additional options.
(6.) LED's and lamps if required. A lot of the 12 volt lamps may need upgraded to a higher voltage when operated in a Command mode.
(7.) Chuff sensor, if that is required. ERR seems to get most of this done without sensors. Correction note, see John's post. Chuff sensor required.
(8.) Additional wiring, shrink tube, electrical supplies.
(9.) The smoke unit, most likely should work as it. If you have requirements related to the smoke unit and syncro... with the system, that could change.
(10.) The project quickly becomes a numbers game, depending on the upgrade you wish. A PS1 Railking Camel back on the secondary market has a certain value, that the upgrade could quickly exceed.
I could be wrong and often. Make the phone call. (408) 454-4127 or Email ERR Support.
Mike CT
Actually, the PS/1 speaker is an 8 ohm speaker, and the PS/1 electrocouplers work fine with Lionel stuff, including the ERR stuff.
ERR will provide no chuff at all without a chuff switch, they have no provision for generating it internally.
I use the MTH 10-pin tethers, they seem to be the best available for upgrades.
I converted by MTH Hiawatha 4-6-4 from PS1 to ERR command and sound. I do not regret it at all. Was easy, sound and control are 100% better. I also converted my MTH F3 from PS1 to ERR and did the same on a KLine F3 as well.
I then took my Atlas SW1200 and installed the ERR Cruise Lite and sound.
I am sold on ERR after market products and great support, not only the command and sound, but also upgraded my post war Milk car with their mod kit.
No longer do I need to locate the car on a the Lionel accessory track to operate the car. I can dump the milk cans anywhere I want.
Like Mike CT said, call them and talk to Ken, he can get you all set up.
RAY
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