Getting my ps3 engine to operate in conventional

That's very interesting that you had to do that. My Railking Amtrak Dash 8 would run just fine on conventional without having to flip any switches. Was switched to DCS when purchased.

You should not have to touch the DCS/DCC switch to go from 3-rail DCS operation to 3-rail conventional. Just put it on the track and turn up the juice. 

If you have to be flipping switches or removing wire jumpers, you've got an issue. 

Resets on early PS3 going from DCS to conventional was common, now it is the "no coast stop" problem that is common. 

SJC is correct.  A properly working PS3 engine should run in conventional just fine without any switches being set to DCC.  The reset was most likely the key. 

For PS-3 that jumper locks it in DCS mode.  Removed, it would be DCC.  As stated, neither effect the conventional operations.  Being able to sequence the bells is the trick.  The MANUAL discusses all of this.  As there are other features you can use like PFA, or firing couplers, or turning on or off a light function.

Once you get the sequence down, it is a piece of cake.  G

Well your probably all correct about the jumper now that I have done some more reading. Funny though the engine never had any life to it until I took the jumper out.

In any event if runs like a charm now. So if it was only the reset then that makes it simple. But when your trying to figure out why you can't get power and then get if in motion I guess you try anything, lol.

Later tonight I'll put the jumper back in place

When you first apply power to a PS3 engine, it takes awhile for it to come to life. One minute seems like forever on the first use. Keep the engine powered and it will come to life. Some people get ancy that it's not working without giving it a chance.

Engineer Joe is correct. Normally, when a PS3 engine is run on a regular basis, it will start up in 4-9 seconds. When it doesn't run often, the capacitors get very low on juice. I ran an engine the other day that hadn't been run in about 6 months or so, and it took about 15-20 seconds to start up. Another engine took longer. It's just a side-effect of not using a battery and replacing it with capacitors.

Ok like I thought after you all told me i put the jumper back in. What can I say I was tired and searching. There was no need to do this step at all.

All that was needed was the engine reset. 

The power part? Still do not know why it took so long to power up. I had it on the track for a good half hour until I realized a ps3 doesn't even have batteries.

In any event it runs fine in conventional just takes maybe 10 secs for the engine to power up.

So all is well and now I can drive the cat nuts.

I am only describing the very first power up takes the longest. After a few months if not used, it will also take longer than if you use an engine say every week.

Whatever happened, it's good to know it works. Some PS3 engines came right from the factory, needing to be reset to run in conventional.

Watch the headlight.  PS-3 headlight comes on while Capacitor chargers. To indicate engine has power.

Many folks do not fully insert the engine drawbar into the tender plug.  That can cause signs that engine is dead.  G