A question came up from a customer about swapping tenders between similar PS3 steam engines. He wanted to know if it was safe to do so. I told him, It's not something I'm going to recommend but now that the 6 pin wireless tether pinout is standardize is this something he can do?
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Another potential problem is EMI VS non-EMI boards and firmware if I remember correctly.
In other words, if there was a hardware and firmware mismatch there is potential that blows the boiler board in the engine side when both motor directions fire at the same time.
Thanks Vernon, I knew there could be some mismatch problems especially when dealing with early PS3 boards.
@gunrunnerjohn posted this service bulletin info about EMI & non-EMI board compatibility:
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...5#157406523697229905
So I gather that my customer could do this with pretty low risk so long as he is working with later model PS3 engines say anything made after 2017 or so?
So to summarize, I would generally tell the customer swapping tenders- even if the tether pinout is compatible has significant risks. If they attempt to run the engine, there is a chance the boiler board goes up in smoke. It just seems too risky IMO.
BTW, thanks for finding that exact quote.
oops, cross posting there I was typing when you replied.
I still hold my opinion to tell a customer it potentially is risky. Without 100% inspection of what has what, let alone the firmware side of this, to just randomly plug in 2 different tenders and then attempt to run, I would have to err to the side of caution. Especially given replacement boards are darn hard to get.
Bad idea. one of my customers did this with catastrophic results
Agree with Gerald, it’s been a no-no for so long, keep it a no-no,……it’s Russian Roulette….
Pat
Although you're less likely to have an issue with PS/3, it's still not a good idea as there can still be issues. It's a GIANT NO-NO for PS/2!!!
you can probably stick your tongue in an outlet, but I wouldn't stick it in a light socket..... 
So I have yet to see a drawbar, harness for PS-3 steam that is not the same. Later engines would have the higher firmware to not cause issues with emi. But that would be an issue when attempting movement and if the engine did not want to move immediately turn off power or go back to neutral. You would see a current spike.
What can be an issue is a bad board or shorted engine wire that causes you to damage a good board. So not the best way to test unless your chasing a know fault wire continuity problem. Seem to be plenty of those with the some of the later release premier steam. G
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