Replacement Proto 2.0 Boards?

Contact MTH- they do repair the boards and they do charge a fee, cheaper than buying a upgrade kit.

Trains41

My friend did, and they haven't gotten back to him for his boards for months.

I have had the same problem 5 months on the last one, but it is worth the wait.

Quaere why so many boards are being blown?  Someone's doing something wrong.

Check your wiring.  Check speaker wires and fan motor wiring also.  before plugging the 7 pin connection  (tach/power/ground) into the board, put your continuity meter on power and ground and hope you do not see a connection.  Start there and get back to us.

One question, what engine are we talking about?  Has your friend done many of these in the past?  MTH boards do not just blow themself for no reason. 

Martye I have been waiting a new board to fix a mth dash -9 since spring supposed to be a 3v board with 5v connections.  Are these ever gonna show up?  Is it just me but it seems mth is not as good as they used to be about parts.  chief

Great info from GGG.  Anyone new to upgrades should print his post and heep it in the workshop as a checklist.  Mikado, it does not take that long to get boards.  They are in stock.  Do not let anyone tell you they are not.  Chief, I order those 5V-3V boards often and have no problem getting them.  I know they are in stock.  Who ordered them for you???

I would still like to know what engine Mikado is talking about that was converted.  This forum has many people that have done conversions and something might jump out at them for something for you to look for.

Marty,

The engine that I updated is the Blue Comet Pacific that MTH made in 1998. The upgrade was fine after putting everything in it. It turns out that the board actually seemed to go bad after downloading the upgrade file from MTH's website. I'm not sure if some files are for 5 volt systems and some are for 3 volt systems. I'm sure mine was the 3 volt system. The sound file I downloaded was from the 2006 Premier Blue Comet (though I wanted to download one from one of MTH's berkshires or from the older RailKing Blue Comet from 2001 since I prefer those whistles over the one MTH puts in their newer Blue Comets, but the older Comet file wouldn't work since it said it was an HO engine file weirdly) and after the download was complete, I'm sure the lower board in the PS2 system started smoking and the train wouldn't work.

~Thomas

You seem to be doing things correct.  Your upgrade boards are 3V and your sound file is a 3V file.  My money would be on one of the situations GGG outlined.  Like I stated before, the MTH boards do not blow for no reason.  I have done 3 Comet engines like yours and they are no problem.  Is your friend positive of the cuts he made on the smoke unit PCB?  I always like to hit the board with the continuity meter after making the cuts to be positive no connection exists. 

I love the Blue Comet and always look for PS-1 Comets at York.  I have two of my own.  A recent one and a converted one that I picked up at York with bad boards for $250.00.

Marty I ordered one from chuck he has a train shop in denver , it has been at least four months ago. I would get a couple from you if they are available.

Chief, Chuck is a man with a great reputation.  He should be able to help you.  I do more repairs than I want to and use those boards up.

Marty just talked to chuck, no boards Mizzell trains is now out of business.  Sorry to hear that.  chief

GGG no I am not an asc just a model rr guy I have have done repairs on my own engines before.

The thing is the engine ran as should completely before the sound file was downloaded. I don't see why adding a sound file would suddenly cause a short or another glitch...