MTH 20-3044-1 UP FEF 4-8-4 conversion from PS2 to PS3

Heat sink is IC-0000026

Why are you converting to PS/3 if the PS/2 is running?  The PS/3 upgrade path will offer very little extra functionality.

Thanks for the reply.  The PS2 board was not working.

I would’ve tracked down a PS3/2 board set and upgraded the boards unless the are 3 volt boards, then I would’ve just replaced them since they’re still available. It’s just way too much work to rewire all that 

I'd drop the PS32 board in, it's mostly PnP for a majority of installations.  You have to swap out the speaker and change the heatsink mount, that's pretty much it.  Occasionally, you'll have an issue with the harness being too short, then you have to splice a few wires.

The PS32 board is available with both 5V and 3V connectors.

hello i bought that exact engine minus the ps2 board for $100  do anyone have a picture of the board in boiler i have a replacement ps2 3volt board

What do you mean by PS-3?  Some one sell you a boiler and tender board, or do you mean PS-32 from a PS-3 steam kit?  The correct way to do the FEF is to use either a PS-32 or the PS-2 3V with 5V connectors.  Mechanically fitting it into the boiler.  It requires some custom modifications to the heat sink.

You than change speaker and battery in the tender for PS-2 3V or just speaker and remove battery for PS-32.  G

The 20-3044-1 is a 5V equipped unit, it came out in 2000.  You could retrofit the 3V board, but it will be some work.  You'll need to replace the speaker and the charging harness & battery.  Next, you'd have to carefully remove the white connector shells off the 3V board, take the black shells of the 5V board, and press those onto the 3V board.  Finally, you have to mount the 3V board, and make sure the harnesses reach the connectors as they're in different locations on the two types of boards.

I see George was typing the same time I was.

thanks every one for your help i also have a spare 5 volt board 

That one would obviously be the easiest to install, should be a drop-in and load the sound file.

Hi everyone:  Thank you for the replies.  The engine had a PS2 board which was not functional.  I ordered a new PS3 board as a replacement.  My understanding of the MTH board progression is QSI or PS1, PS2 5 volt, PS2 3 volt and finally PS3.  I  am not certain what PS32 refers to.  The board appears to be plug compatible with the PS2 board.  The only decision will be how much heat sink is required.  According to the data sheet for the GBU8D bridge rectifier, when mounted to a 2"x1.6"x0.3" Al plate, the thermal resistance is 3 deg c /watt.   Anything I can imagine using will be larger area.  The dissipation in the GBU8d should be less than 5 watts so I think all will be well.  I will use a IR thermometer after running just to make certain the temperature stays in control.  Thanks again for your input.  Comment is always welcome.  Best Regards,

Phranzdan

I have the same exact engine and just replaced the ps 2 5 volt board with a ps 2 3 volt board changed the battery to 2.4 volt and changed the speaker to a 4 ohm speaker works perfectly! you do not want to plug a ps3 volt board into the ps 2 harness they are NOT compatible you will destroy your new ps 3 board!

Alan

p.s my engine works great and especially love the great loud sounds you get from ps 2 3 volt boards!

PS-32 is a PS-3 diesel board with a modified header that has a separate plug in daughter board that converts the LED outputs to control Bulbs of the PS-2 type engines.  Daughter connectors can be either the 3V or 5V variation.

The hardware kit for the PS-32 has the correct heat sink to use, but may need to be modified.

Since you order this what did you order?  Separate board or a PS-3 Steam kit?  The PS-3 steam kit is a PS-32 with 3V connectors.  G

The PS32 heatsink is intended to be bolted to the chassis for heat dissipation.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

The PS32 heatsink is intended to be bolted to the chassis for heat dissipation.

Courageous FEF upgrade if he does not know that. Since he looked up the data sheet for the rectifier I think he has a basic understanding.  G