PS3 upgrade kit in PS GP38-2 Sound problem - pulsing

Several questions:

1.  When you uploaded the sound file to the GP38-2, did you upload the flash file?

2.  When did you purchase the upgrade kit?  The reason I asked is the kits shipped in August need a revision to the tach sensor wiring, the revision was emailed to all who purchased the kits.

3.  The smoke unit for ps3 is the same as ps2.

4.  What are the voltage and current readings when running the engine by itself on a test track?

I assume you are running in DCS mode.

bruce

MTH ASC Technician

Bruce, thanks for the reply. 

1 Yes uploaded both the flash and the sound file. although it took me a bit to realize that both needed to be loaded.  I had several issues with errors and several slow retries when loading anything into this board.....  which was caused by magnetic interference.  (Get to that below)

2 Dec 15th 2017

3 I believe that is correct.  and is working beautifully.

4 18V 4Amps AC.

Root Cause:  The Protosound 1 GP38-2  I picked up (on a well known site where people host productions and then others bid on them) for this specific purpose:  To use as a host engine for the PS3 kit.  The PS1 GP38-2  has a shallow Fuel tank and the speaker supplied with the PS3 kit has a deeper magnet then the original PS1 speaker.   I mounted the board laying down flat on the chassis, no spacers so the Rectifier heatsink would have good connection to the chassis.  Turns out, The PS3 speaker magnet was too close to the PS3 board.  I manufactured small spacers for the fuel tank to drop it down about a 10th of an inch from the chassis and the problem went away.  I posted in case anyone has the same issue in future installs.

Again, being new here, I am also looking for specs on both the 1911 & 1912 kits identifying voltage and load rating of all the outputs.  I have several custom projects going involving driving relays and other things from the outputs and want to make sure I stay inside the specs. - Is this something I need to start another thread for?

Thanks again!

Robb

Let's continue:

18VAC - 4 amps is way to HIGH!  Something is probably binding in the motor-truck relationship.   Disconnect the 4 pin connector supplying track power to the board.  Pull the 40pin connector loose from its socket on the board - CAREFULLY!  I hope you have a source of DC power to run each motor/truck assembly separately using DC power.  Increase, then decrease and increase again the power - what do you observe, hear?

I suspect either binding in the motor worm gear or a problem with the powered trucks.  Let us know what the results are.

bruce

Ha ha ha ha!  I should have been more specific in my response sorry.

The power supply is rated 18V 4Amps.

The draw from the loco is about 1.2 Amps with smoke on and 800ma with smoke off.

She is running great!

are you sure it's not the clickity clack? (turned on)