First Time Loading PS3 Sound File...02/12/17 Second time Around, Same Engine... see latest post!

Are you loading with engine or bench tester?  Make sure DCS switch in right position and try again.   Making sure TIU connected right.   G

Test the engine and see if it works in conventional.

I use a Bridgewerks filtered DC pack from my G scale that works great for this. I don't think those switching type DC packs work well? ( I forget the name, pulse something?).

I believe that message is because the TIU is not getting the proper response from the new board?

Ooops, listen to G.

Are you loading with engine or bench tester?    Yes, am using newest version of dealer loader and Rev 5 TIU.

Make sure DCS switch in right position and try again.    We finally found the pictures in the instructions showing us how to determine position of switch.  So we are certain of it's position now.

Making sure TIU connected right.    Computer finds TIU on any com port.  Waiting full 10 seconds for everything to power up and connect upon applying power to engine.  Track signal 10, voltage at track 18 volts.  Have loaded PS2 engines with this setup numerous times, no problem.

Have tried different TIU, 4.3, different power source, bench 45w Lionel, and Z4000.  Have not tried a DC transformer.   The computer I'm using did all my DCS 5.0 upgrades.  Using reccomended USB/9 Pin cable.

I am stumped!!!!

Engineer-Joe posted:

Test the engine and see if it works in conventional.

I use a Bridgewerks filtered DC pack from my G scale that works great for this. I don't think those switching type DC packs work well? ( I forget the name, pulse something?).

I believe that message is because the TIU is not getting the proper response from the new board?

The board had a sound file, key word here is "had", until I try to load one.  It came with an SD70/ES44 type sound file.  Once I started the load that got blown out.  It runs fine, all functions work, as much as they can with out the sound.  It will not factory reset, however. 

the first thing I always try to do is download the engine file to the computer in case of a problem at least then you can put the original file back where it cane from in case of a oopps. I don't know if it matters but you were using loader 2.3.4 and I thought you had to use the new loader 5.0 when you do upgrades now ? I looked at your picture of your loader and it says 2.3.4 not 5.0

Alan

also what rev tiu are you using 13a d g h or rev l  I don't know if it  makes any difference but I have not done any sound file upgrades yet for the ps3 kits  but will soon.

Tried the older loader for S&G, and got the same error.  TiU is last revision before L, and DCS software is all 5.0.  This is an install of a new upgrade kit.  Yes, it had a sound file loaded, but it was not the file needed and there was no point saving it. 

The whole thing seems to have gone south when not sure of the DCS/DCC switch position. 

Is it possible that trying to load with the switch in the wrong position can do irreparable harm?

Charly posted:

Tried the older loader for S&G, and got the same error.  TiU is last revision before L, and DCS software is all 5.0.  This is an install of a new upgrade kit.  Yes, it had a sound file loaded, but it was not the file needed and there was no point saving it. 

The whole thing seems to have gone south when not sure of the DCS/DCC switch position. 

Is it possible that trying to load with the switch in the wrong position can do irreparable harm?

I don't know  but doubt it., The engine has a sound file. can you add it to the remote and run it with the remote? 

Gregg posted:

Charly posted:

Tried the older loader for S&G, and got the same error.  TiU is last revision before L, and DCS software is all 5.0.  This is an install of a new upgrade kit.  Yes, it had a sound file loaded, but it was not the file needed and there was no point saving it. 

The whole thing seems to have gone south when not sure of the DCS/DCC switch position. 

Is it possible that trying to load with the switch in the wrong position can do irreparable harm?

I don't know  but doubt it., The engine has a sound file. can you add it to the remote and run it with the remote? 

Yes.

I might try shutting everything down including the computer and start over. 

 As you know with proto-2 . we had to know  the difference between 5 and 3 volt boards and different file sizes downloading sound files.     I know you'll get it  eventually....  I have no idea why the other thread was closed.  

I don't know if it has anything to due with your issue but what someone mentioned earlier I ran into a issue with a ps2 3 volt board and did not notice the loader thought it was a five volt board but actually  was a 3 volt board and saved the file to my computer the board was working before I changed the sound file when I loaded the new file I   could not get the new file to work I reinstalled the original file back in to the engine but it would not go back into the board, so I know because a tech told me you have t make sure the loader knows its the right voltage board or it screws up the downloader some how never got the old file to work again.! maybe GGG or someone might have a answer I know it sure confused me! should not have been a issue as I have changed many sound filers and never had a problem??? it was a ps2 3volt board with the larger memory!!

Alan

We have tried with a DC power supply and the loader gets to sector 8 and stalls.  Gave up last night around 11:00pm.  Will give it another go today using different power sources and see how it goes.  Beginning to think the board may be wonky.

Charly, When you first apply power to the board.  And wait.  What are you seeing on the lighting on the board tester.  Do you see LED 0 or 1 flashing like morse code?  Do you hear sounds? 

There are cases where the load goes bad and the board goes into recovery mode.  The only way to repair this is send to MTH were they can try to reload firmware to save the board.  Otherwise you need to seek a warranty replacement.

I would say, go back this morning, and just try to load the flash code again.  If you get the flash code installed.  Cycle power and wait a few minutes.  Repower and wait a few minutes while it installs the new code.  Then try loading the sound file.   If that doesn't work at any step, time to go to MTH.  G

I had the exact problem. Solution was a Rev L TIU and 5.0 software.  

When I was having problems with a Rev I TIU, I saw addresses that were above the 16 megabyte line (2 to the 24th) .  The Rev L handled those. Jason Wenzel  or someone at MTH can verify or refute my findings.    

Ok guys, thanks for the replies.  Just an FYI with my efforts this morning, without applying your suggestions I can get to this point...

 What does a chain file "file name" look like...

In sifting through threads regarding this topic I've come across a couple items I'm wondering about.

1)  Why is using fixed one as the channel so important?

2)  Does the TIU have to be address one?

Thanks.

Cheryl,

1) Why is using fixed one as the channel so important?

It isn't, however, using Fixed #1 ensures that the TIU is powered.

2) Does the TIU have to be address one?

No, it does not. It only has to be TIU #1 when attempting to "Recover an Engine".

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Cheryl,

1) Why is using fixed one as the channel so important?

It isn't, however, using Fixed #1 ensures that the TIU is powered.

2) Does the TIU have to be address one?

No, it does not. It only has to be TIU #1 when attempting to "Recover an Engine".

Thanks Barry, that's what I suspected, but it's always nice to have your hunches confirmed.

Hello All,

I have this same engine back again as the customer wants a quillable whistle.  At the time the PS3 install was done a suitable file was not available, and to be honest is still not.  Jason has sent me a file and I have pulled a file out of the same engine (PS3) from the store, no joy.  So... I went to a Premier file for a J1e, got the whistle, lost speed control.  Now none of the previous files are restoring speed control.  I am believe the reader is still working as the chuff rate goes off the chart while the engine goes off the tracks.

Engine:  RK CnO Hudson, Yellow Belly with PS3 Upgrade

Computer:  W10 using DCS 5.0 Dealer Loader.

TIU/Remote:  Version 5.0

Power:  Z1000 Brick.

Anyone...  Please Help!!!!!!   This customer is driving me nuts!!!!

Cheryl,

PS3 engines use the speed control parameters in the Chain File rather than those in the Sound File. You should make sure that the original PS32 steam Chain File is in the engine. However, the PS32 Chain File will not, I believe, support a playable whistle.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Cheryl,

PS3 engines use the speed control parameters in the Chain File rather than those in the Sound File. You should make sure that the original PS32 steam Chain File is in the engine. However, the PS32 Chain File will not, I believe, support a playable whistle.

Barry,

This board came originally with a diesel file.  We put it in the steamer.  When I considered the install complete I loaded a PS2 file.  I've never loaded a "chain" file and am unsure of what is to be done.  If I do (successfully) load a chain file, can it be from a Premier loco?  Is it impossible to get quilling in a RK engine?  I do not know if this board is an upgrade or true PS3 board, how do you figure that out?

Cheryl,

If the board has a 40-pin connector, it's a standard PS3 board. If it has the same connectors as a PS2 board, I expect that it's a PS32 board.

Where did you get the board? Was it part of a PS3 upgrade kit? If so, was it a steam or diesel kit?

Regardless, every PS3 or PS32 board has a Chain File as well as a Sound File.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Cheryl,

If the board has a 40-pin connector, it's a standard PS3 board. If it has the same connectors as a PS2 board, I expect that it's a PS32 board.

Where did you get the board? Was it part of a PS3 upgrade kit? If so, was it a steam or diesel kit?

Regardless, every PS3 or PS32 board has a Chain File as well as a Sound File.

Ordered the board from MTH in April of last year.  I believe it came as an upgrade kit and it had a diesel file loaded, we didn't order it, I believe it was customer supplied.  I understand the chain file controls speed, lights, etc..  When we put this board in it last spring I put a PS2 sound file in it to keep it in line with what the engine was, pass. pfa, etc..  I'm rambling , how do you put a chain file in?

 P.S. Pix of board...

gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's the PS32 board stack, like Barry says, no playable whistle.  However, you need to load the PS32 Steam chain file to restore normal operation I suspect.

How do I do that?

I screwed  a 32 board up, big time... attempting to load it!!  Spent many hours on an unsuccessfully  "fix".

Took it to my local shop, it was put on his test equipment, and was promptly pronounced "DOA".

Ordered a new board and let my local tech do the sound installation... that worked out much better.

I've  learned an expensive lesson.

Hope you have a better outcome.

This engine has put my last 3 good brain cells on a red block!  Holy Moly!  Figured out how to flash.  Got the engine back to initial status, PS2 sound file, PS3 chain file. 

Riddle me this...  could I flash a premier chain file and load the PS3 premier sound file to get the whistle?

Secondly...  are all upgrade kits PS32 boards?

john in western pa posted:

I screwed  a 32 board up, big time... attempting to load it!!  Spent many hours on an unsuccessfully  "fix".

Took it to my local shop, it was put on his test equipment, and was promptly pronounced "DOA".

Ordered a new board and let my local tech do the sound installation... that worked out much better.

I've  learned an expensive lesson.

Hope you have a better outcome.

I think we have all learned a thing or two or three like this. I haven't done a PS3 board, but I have 'learned' with more other stuff than I would like to admit to. 

Fortunately, it looks like Charly has had a good outcome here, except for the whistle part that is.

When these PS32 boards came out, they were made available to the public at some point. Trouble is there wasn't a lot of info for street people to be poking around messing with these different versions. The info has trickled out over time. Now we are better informed.

The MTH instructions should be followed to the T. If the instructions were messed up, that would be a whole different problem.

 Why this board would come with a diesel file already loaded, isn't the issue. As long as it operated correctly. Messing with the files, we have to know what to do exactly.

Making this post public, has helped us non MTH certified installers who follow along.

I am sorry you had difficulty. I have to thank you for sharing though. It helps.

Weeeeelllllll, just FYI, I started out by putting a premier sound file on this board and got the SPW key and the whistle worked.  That was when the control went south.  I did not change the chain file.  Go figure.  I think...  my customer is sol on the whistle.  I have spent two of my days off on this, (and not getting paid) and I believe that it's time to work on my own stuff.

Thank you guys for being my sounding board, your help is always greatly appreciated.  Hope everyone has a pleasant evening. 

LOTS OF WRONG INFO posted above.  First, a PS-32 Board does support QW, you just need to load a PS-2 or PS-3 Sound file that has QW.  I have done plenty that way.

YOU DO NOT Want to Load a PS-3 Steam Chain File.  You will loose Light functions on the engine and maybe tender.

You want to load the PS-32 STEAM Chain file.  This give you steam smoke and proper Head Light on when in reverse.  Then pick any PS-3 Sound file you want and loaded it.  Just remember a Premier PS-3 Sound File may have different speed control parameters then a RK Steam engine.  So you won't have Scale MPH depending on how much difference in wheel size and gear ratio, etc...  G

Learned something today George, I didn't realize you could get the quillable whistle with the PS32 board.

The Quillable whistle is exclusive to the MTH file. If the MTH soundfile you are loading is not a premier steam file, there will be no quillable whistle, as this is a feature exclusive the premier steamers.

The "filename-chain.zip" (or, newer named, "filename-CPF.zip" [CodePackageFile]) contains:

• DSP code
• Hardware table (which controls lighting, gear ratio/gear diameter [for correct speed of model], smoke output, and coupler drive levels)
• Boiler code (if it's steam, like this case)
• CV-data (for DCC controls),  and
• FPGA code

 You can load the whole file to the engine or each file, individually with the consumer loader.

I believe the PS3/2 steam chain file is labelled "PS32_Steam.zip"

PS32_Steam.zip

If there is a speed issue after loading the MTH soundfile, it sounds like George is right, you need to load/re-load the appropriate PS3/2 chainfile (or, just the hardware table file).

In PS2, the MTH file dictated the Wheel Diameter/Gear Ratio, which ultimately affected the speed of the engine. With the advent of PS3, the hardware table now controls that information.

Make sure you power cycle after loading.

MTHRailFan posted:

The Quillable whistle is exclusive to the MTH file. If the MTH soundfile you are loading is not a premier steam file, there will be no quillable whistle, as this is a feature exclusive the premier steamers.

The "filename-chain.zip" (or, newer named, "filename-CPF.zip" [CodePackageFile]) contains:

• DSP code
• Hardware table (which controls lighting, gear ratio/gear diameter [for correct speed of model], smoke output, and coupler drive levels)
• Boiler code (if it's steam, like this case)
• CV-data (for DCC controls),  and
• FPGA code

 You can load the whole file to the engine or each file, individually with the consumer loader.

I believe the PS3/2 steam chain file is labelled "PS32_Steam.zip"

PS32_Steam.zip

If there is a speed issue after loading the MTH soundfile, it sounds like George is right, you need to load/re-load the appropriate PS3/2 chainfile (or, just the hardware table file).

In PS2, the MTH file dictated the Wheel Diameter/Gear Ratio, which ultimately affected the speed of the engine. With the advent of PS3, the hardware table now controls that information.

Make sure you power cycle after loading.

We need to be careful here.  It is not a PS-3 Steam system. She is using a PS-3 Steam upgrade kit which means PS-32 board.  So the Pure PS-3 Steam Flash code won't work since there is no Boiler board for the processor to communicate with.

Also, the Flash code matter too for QW, not just the Sound file.  You need both.  For PS-2 3V, you need the special AE-0000014 Flash Board with the QW flash code to allow the Sound file to work.  Otherwise the QW would show up on remote softkey but not be functional.

Since PS-32 boards have that code, we just need to load the sound file that has QW.  Either the limited PS-2 3V files, or any of the Premier PS-3 files.  G

guide us G!! Thanks....AGAIN!

After reading this post with lots of great info, I'm gathering that wheel diameter and gearing no longer has an ill effect on the locomotive? So I could install a larger diameter locomotive into my WM 2-8-0, say a Reading T1 4-8-4 or Southern 4-6-2 and have no issues? Correct me if I'm wrong, but from a past experience adding a Southern 4-6-2 to my PS-2 Chessie T1 4-8-4 it ran ok for a while but then went haywire. I suspected the gear ratio might have caused the issue. After reloading the correct file she was fine. Just curious if I can change to a better file for the 2-8-0 (PS-3) as I can't stand that whistle. Also planning for a future conversion of a Lionel 2-6-6-2 as MTH doesn't make a locomotive with that wheel arrangement, so I was thinking maybe using a 2-8-8-2 file.  Thanks in advance for any help. 

Ben Snyder posted:

After reading this post with lots of great info, I'm gathering that wheel diameter and gearing no longer has an ill effect on the locomotive? So I could install a larger diameter locomotive into my WM 2-8-0, say a Reading T1 4-8-4 or Southern 4-6-2 and have no issues? Correct me if I'm wrong, but from a past experience adding a Southern 4-6-2 to my PS-2 Chessie T1 4-8-4 it ran ok for a while but then went haywire. I suspected the gear ratio might have caused the issue. After reloading the correct file she was fine. Just curious if I can change to a better file for the 2-8-0 (PS-3) as I can't stand that whistle. Also planning for a future conversion of a Lionel 2-6-6-2 as MTH doesn't make a locomotive with that wheel arrangement, so I was thinking maybe using a 2-8-8-2 file.  Thanks in advance for any help. 

No, I do not think anyone said that, or certainly did not mean it.  The flash code or sound file do still matter.  So loading a premier Hudson into a bantam J would still cause speed control issues.  G

George,

The flash code or sound file do still matter.  So loading a premier Hudson into a bantam J would still cause speed control issues.

Although I haven't attempted to place a Premier PS3 sound file in a RK PS3 engine, my understanding is that PS3 engines look to their chain files for their speed control parameters. As long as the chain files are intact and original, I don't why putting a PS3 Premier sound file in a PS3 RK engine would cause any issues with speed control.

Have you encountered problems in this regard? If so, what were the problems?

Thanks!

Barry,  Because this is a PS-32 board, which is a PS-3 Diesel board base.  YOU must use the PS-32 Steam flash code.  You can not load any PS-3 Steam flash codes, because you will loose lighting control and possibly other control such as smoke.

The PS-32 flash code looks at the sound file to get the parameters.  By procedure the PS-3 sound file has that data in it that the PS-3 chain file would have.  There are some exceptions with early PS-3 file and also some quirks with the new PS-32 code, but otherwise that is how it works.

Now for a Pure PS-3 Steam engine like a RK 2-8-0, you are correct.  You could leave the 2-8-0 flash code in and just load a new sound file and the engine should retain speed characteristic, but I would not swear this works for every file.

So far for all the Steam Premier upgrades and PS-2 repairs I do with PS-32 boards.  I load the latest PS-3 Sound file for steam and leave the PS-32 Steam chain file alone.  This works and you gain QW.  G