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Installed a PS2 upgrade kit in an MTH MT-3020LP  Hudson (20-3020-1 modern terms) and loaded software using AC power.  Loaded a 1meg, 3v file for a PS2 Hudson. The engine would not let me upload using DC power.  Used the Technician Loader, upon checking operation, the speed increases in both directions wildly in DCS mode.  In conventional mode speed is ok.  No abnormal high current, no pinched wires.  Performed both feature and factory reset.  I THINK a component on the board is defective.    Have performed many upgrades, both ps2 and 3 and this is the first time for this to occur.  Could this also possibly be a software problem?

This problem is mainly for John Will or George.  If a board component is defective, can it be replaced?  I do not have a PS2 Test Assembly, only have PS3 test assembly.

bruce

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DC power source is a dual DC transformer that was used for HO trains many years ago.  Gap on the Tach reader is fine, black stripes are clear and sharp.  Thought about it, and changed the tach reader - it definitely was a defective tach reader.  Why I did not think of that in the first place is beyond me.  First time for everything, a defective tach reader in a new upgrade kit, first time for me.  I keep numerous spare, new tach readers.

Thanks, Joe

Bruce

Sounds like the tach sensor.  If you're in conventional, it'll run somewhat normally.  If you've shorted a wire, there's the amplifier on the top board of the PS32 stack that it pretty fragile and could be cooked.

I'd verify the wiring from the tach sensor and make SURE nothing is grounded or open.  If not, I'd replace the tach sensor first, and swap out the PS32 top board next.

Obviously, I'm assuming the tach sensor spacing is correct and you have a good tach tape.

Last edited by gunrunnerjohn

on the tach gap, I had a couple of G scale engines now that the gap appeared to be within spec. Yet the engine ran way too fast. I simply made the gap smaller, and those engines ran correctly.

 Again I'll state that I'm not sure what makes certain ones seem weaker. Maybe it's the sensor or maybe the circuitry? I had to get the gap tighter and they then worked. The G scale diesel motor blocks on Dash 8s are plastic and the gap is fixed. I had thought about some type of warping condition that throws the spacing off?

 On the newest PS3 Dash 8 models, I feel that the gap is on the outer limits to start with. So any greater gap variation makes it out of spec. Either that or I had the only one version that was like this? The last PS2 version that arrived right before the PS3 also had this condition. Both were brand new and ran the exact same speeds too fast. I also had a third used one, that all 3 I modified to a smaller gap. I think they would do like 54MPH when set to 30MPH? I can't remember exactly.

 Years ago I had a PS2 install from a donor that ran too fast. I swapped out the tach reader and it was fine. Later I installed that reader into a different engine, and that also worked. So I was left wondering about some weaker condition with the boards? I had no way to ever narrow down the exact causes. Same with a BCR that one board did not work with. Put that into a different engine and it worked. Put the receiving engine's batteries into that donor bcr donor and that also worked??

Last edited by Engineer-Joe
gunrunnerjohn posted:

George, everyone doesn't have the MTH test set.   I also fire them up on the test set and load the sound and chain files.  I also use DC to power them as I've found that usually makes the loads go a bit faster and also I have less retries.

I realize that , but Bruce is a tech.  You ultimately will waste a lot of time chasing issues especially speed control issues with out it.  G

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