Skip to main content

@IRON HORSE posted:

Why do you dislike PS3 boards?  And why would you prefer a PS2 3V with a battery replacement instead of a PS3?  I appreciate your insight.

Also, can you clarify PS2 3V versus the earlier PS2?  Wasn't the earlier version a 5V BCR1?  But the actual earlier version used a NiCad 8.4 volt battery, right?  Why is the battery replacement a 5V but the battery was an 8.4 volt?  And to make it even more confusing, MTH said in its engine manuals that you can temporarily use a 9 volt battery instead of an 8.4 V?

I have had more failures and problems with PS/3 boards per capita than with the 3V PS/2 boards.  Also a simple flaw on a PS/3  board frequently is non-repairable.  I refer to the lighting circuits for instance.  If you pinch a wire and kill the a lighting output on the PS/2 board, you can frequently replace the driver FET, for the PS/3 board it's usually fatal to the lighting circuit.  The list goes on...

With the demise of any meaningful support from MTH, if you "brick" a PS/3 board, you're likely out of luck.  Several years back, I ran into a situation where a bad sound file was actually bricking the PS/3 steam tender board.  The only way to recover them was to send them back to MTH, I'm not sure where I'd send them now.

@IRON HORSE posted:

Also, can you clarify PS2 3V versus the earlier PS2?  Wasn't the earlier version a 5V BCR1?  But the actual earlier version used a NiCad 8.4 volt battery, right?  Why is the battery replacement a 5V but the battery was an 8.4 volt?  And to make it even more confusing, MTH said in its engine manuals that you can temporarily use a 9 volt battery instead of an 8.4 V?

There are two major rungs in the PS/2 board family tree, the 5V board used a 9V rechargeable battery, the 3V board used a 2.4V battery stack. The 3V or 5V refers to the type of logic and it's operating voltage used on the board.

Some more I thought of:

  • Premier version of a PRR C630 or C628
  • Premier version of a PRR RSD-4
  • Premier PRR EMD E7/8 A-B-A in Tuscan Red
  • Premier PRR ALCo PA A-B-A in Tuscan Red

All with no blind axles or with blind center axles (#s 2 and 5), NOT the inner axles near the fuel tank.

Also:

  • Premier PRR GG1 #4800 “Old Rivets” in DLGE with Futura lettering

I have had more failures and problems with PS/3 boards per capita than with the 3V PS/2 boards.  Also a simple flaw on a PS/3  board frequently is non-repairable.  I refer to the lighting circuits for instance.  If you pinch a wire and kill the a lighting output on the PS/2 board, you can frequently replace the driver FET, for the PS/3 board it's usually fatal to the lighting circuit.  The list goes on...

With the demise of any meaningful support from MTH, if you "brick" a PS/3 board, you're likely out of luck.  Several years back, I ran into a situation where a bad sound file was actually bricking the PS/3 steam tender board.  The only way to recover them was to send them back to MTH, I'm not sure where I'd send them now.

@IRON HORSE posted:

There are two major rungs in the PS/2 board family tree, the 5V board used a 9V rechargeable battery, the 3V board used a 2.4V battery stack. The 3V or 5V refers to the type of logic and it's operating voltage used on the board.



Here is an M.T.H. location to contact about the boards.

https://www.google.com/maps/pl...424925!4d-86.4361194



Andrew

I have had more failures and problems with PS/3 boards per capita than with the 3V PS/2 boards.  Also a simple flaw on a PS/3  board frequently is non-repairable.  I refer to the lighting circuits for instance.  If you pinch a wire and kill the a lighting output on the PS/2 board, you can frequently replace the driver FET, for the PS/3 board it's usually fatal to the lighting circuit.  The list goes on...

With the demise of any meaningful support from MTH, if you "brick" a PS/3 board, you're likely out of luck.  Several years back, I ran into a situation where a bad sound file was actually bricking the PS/3 steam tender board.  The only way to recover them was to send them back to MTH, I'm not sure where I'd send them now.



Pretty sobering observation of issues with MTH engines. Obviously noone wants to spend a boatload of money for an engine that can't be repaired. Is Atlas O going to be a service option for at least those ex-MTH engines they're now marketing in case of issues with PS/3 boards?

Last edited by breezinup
@PRRronbh posted:

What I would like is for the current  "MTH" to live up to it's build commitments!    I have a special build item on order that MTH's web site still shows a" October 22" shipping commitment date!

Today I contacted the dealer for update info.  Apparently MTH is now saying late Winter!

What can I say!



Ron

That seems to be the norm. The new Premier Pacifics were announced in early 2021 with a delivery of October 2021 (according to the dealer I bought one of mine from); that didn't happen, so it then became a 2022 delivery, and we finally got them in July 2022.

Personally, I have no problem with delays like this as long as I haven't put down a deposit.

Add Reply

Post
This forum is sponsored by MTH Electric Trains

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×