Ps3 steam board transplant

I would guess that you loaded a corrupt file, or for some reason, the file didn't load properly?

There could be other reasons like some type of short or something. I'd bet on the file.

Did you think of loading both the chain file and the sound file for the Premier version?  Mixing the RK sound file with the Premier chain file could certainly be your problem.

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

What was the item number for the RK steam locomotive you removed the boards from and also the item number of the Premier locomotive the sound/chain files are from? There is an issue with older PS3 chain files not working with some later EMI boards. That might be the case here, so the item numbers will help us determine that.

The issue with EMI and non-EMI boards was the motor drive, I don't recall it ever affecting the sound.

@NYCBuffalo posted:

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

WHAAAAT?

@NYCBuffalo posted:

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

Baloney, I do that all the time.  If loading matching sound and chain files causes issues, we're all in big trouble!  Please recheck your facts.

Yeah I was surprised too. I definitely put the railking chain back on followed by premier sound to make it work. If the premier chain file is corrupt that would explain it. I will get both loco product numbers when I have a chance.

Something is clearly amiss with either the files, the equipment being used to load them, or the technique used for loading.

Not to say there haven't been a one or two corrupt sound files posted, a few months ago we ran across one that corrupted the boards so bad we had to send them back to MTH for reprogramming the boot loader!  A friend that's also an ASC initially bricked several boards, so he came over and we bricked one of mine.  That's when we knew it wasn't the equipment, the load procedure, but really the file.  That's the only time I've encountered that, and I hope not to see it again!

Premier 20-3666-1 b&o camelback

railking 30-4227-1 (set loco)

Don't know of anything wrong with that model's files.

@NYCBuffalo posted:

The mix of rk chain and premier sound works. Using premier chain and premier sound cause big sound issues

@NYCBuffalo posted:

Yeah I was surprised too. I definitely put the railking chain back on followed by premier sound to make it work. If the premier chain file is corrupt that would explain it. I will get both loco product numbers when I have a chance.

so your blanket statement that people might read as a problem with all MTH files is based on one sound file?

It would be nice in the future if you posted that with your statement.

Since this is a sound file that doesn't brick the board, you might convince someone to load it into a different locomotive or take your locomotive to another location and load it there with different equipment.

I've found that loading PS/3 files using pure DC to power the TIU and also including 25-30 feet of lead between the TIU and your locomotive or testset with the boards makes for more reliable loading.  For mine I use a bench DC supply to power the TIU.  This is also how MTH configures their test benches at the factory, or at least they did when I was there.

This is my only ps3 steamer. I never ment to make a blanket statement about all ps3 steam when reporting my issue. Sorry

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I've found that loading PS/3 files using pure DC to power the TIU and also including 25-30 feet of lead between the TIU and your locomotive or testset with the boards makes for more reliable loading.  For mine I use a bench DC supply to power the TIU.  This is also how MTH configures their test benches at the factory, or at least they did when I was there.

Not sure it actually helps, but I twist my leads too.  Since it’s carrying a signal I figure it might help reduce noise.  

My wires were a twisted pair anyway, and I suspect it may be beneficial since the DCS signal is RF and the wire is acting like a transmission line.

After a load you need to cycle the board power on and off to get the chain and SF in sync.  Many times a board will emit weird sounds after a load, until the full power cycle.  I have never seen any issue or warning about RK versus PR chain files.  Most of the code is the same, it is the engine specific Hardware that is different.

Now there is always a possibility of difference between years possibly.  But MTH has continually been upgrading/refining the flash codes on these.  G

Hi all. I had time tonight to work on it again. I did a new program setup with a 3ft piece of track, tiu and a dc transformer feeding fixed in 1. I loaded the premier chain which loaded ok but warned a few times about writing a code block. I hit retry a couple times at the prompt and it seemed like it was ok and said finished successfully. I powered off for 2 min then on. Ran fine and sound was fine but no markers, no firebox lights and no smoke but headlight ok. I reloaded the premier sound file and that was fine no warnings. Shut off all power again 2 min. Ran and sounded fine but still only headlight worked no markers, firebox light or smoke.
smoke and markers did work originally with the initial railking chain and premier sound but since I started messing with chain files I can’t get them back.
I might have my Mth repair tech look next as I feel stuck.

You say "DC Transformer", but what you really need is pure DC from a real DC supply.  If you're using something like an HO transformer, some of them are pretty noisy electrically, and would likely be worse than AC.  Second best is a pure sine wave AC transformer, they seem to work as well as my DC bench supply.

If you're getting errors and retries on writing the FLASH or sound files, I'd adjust the setup and load them again.