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Post by josef on Apr 21, 2020 11:02:55 GMT
Originally I started with 8 PS-2 engine. My last one, the board died this morning after 5 years running. Some of my PS-2s lasted several years. I've upgraded the failures to PS 3-2 board without a problem. I knew sooner or later my 2-8-0 would die and need upgrading. Question, how many of your PS-2s are still running and have you had to upgrade any? Over the years I wouldn't touch PS-2s because knowing sooner or later they would need upgrades to new boards from my experience.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Apr 21, 2020 11:21:46 GMT
PS2s - I have a few and I’ve been careful to recharge batteries after any length of time on the shelf. But I think all of mine are 3 volt boards judging by the battery charging terminal and not the earlier 5 volt boards, which I believe are the source of most problems. So overall they have proved reliable despite not getting a lot of run time.
The oldest one I have is a PS-PS2 conversion, which must have been done like 10 years ago. That also must have been right around the time the board voltage was changed. It was on display only for something like 4 years, I gave it the charger treatment and it runs like a top.
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Post by laz57 on Apr 21, 2020 11:49:39 GMT
I have about 14 PS2 engines. Only one burnt board 5 volt NYC Premier Dreyfus. Had redone by GGG from other forum runs good now. All others I replaced MTH batteries with BCRs and only purchased 3volt engines. No problems and all runs good. Every 3 volt board now gets replace with BCR upon purchase and before it goes on the tracks.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2020 11:52:19 GMT
I have about 14 PS2 engines. Only one burnt board 5 volt NYC Premier Dreyfus. Had redone by GGG from other forum runs good now. All others I replaced MTH batteries with BCRs and only purchased 3volt engines. No problems and all runs good. Every 3 volt board now gets replace with BCR upon purchase and before it goes on the tracks. From what I've heard and read the three volt boards are bullet proof. It's all the 5volt boards that are junk and will fail. I've have also replaced all batteries with super capacitors. I have three PS2 engines, never have had a lick of trouble.
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Post by josef on Apr 21, 2020 12:06:51 GMT
I have about 14 PS2 engines. Only one burnt board 5 volt NYC Premier Dreyfus. Had redone by GGG from other forum runs good now. All others I replaced MTH batteries with BCRs and only purchased 3volt engines. No problems and all runs good. Every 3 volt board now gets replace with BCR upon purchase and before it goes on the tracks. From what I've heard and read the three volt boards are bullet proof. It's all the 5volt boards that are junk and will fail. I've have also replaced all batteries with super capacitors. I have three PS2 engines, never have had a lick of trouble. My PS-2 with the 3 volt boards are trouble free. Its those with the 5 volt boards that I have failures with and when they go, they go without a warning. Some I had suddenly stop, some won't start up the next session. I never been able to see or understand what caused the failures in the 5 volt boards. I should add, all my PS2, 5 volt boards had BCRs rather then batteries and still failed over time.
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Post by Spice7 on Apr 21, 2020 13:09:19 GMT
I have mostly PS2 engines. My very first engine, which is at least 10 plus years, is the only one that died.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2020 13:35:49 GMT
I only have one PS2 engine, but it has the 3v board. It is slated for a PS3 upgrade in the next year (which is pretty easy for units with 3v boards).
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Post by Yellowstone Special on Apr 21, 2020 14:20:34 GMT
I have 1 PS-2 diesel which I picked up used over a year ago. It has the 3 volt board with a BCR. Since I’m a Lionel TMCC/Legacy guy, it runs conventional on my layout, but I’ve never had any trouble with it.
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Post by Country Joe on Apr 21, 2020 14:45:38 GMT
I only have 1 PS2 engine, my Railking NYC Alco Pa AA set. It's a 3 volt model but stopped running last week. The front truck is running but the back truck is frozen. I bought this engine at a train show about 6 months ago and have run it a lot. I don't think the board is the problem but I haven't opened it up yet to have a look. If I can't fix it myself I'll take it to Roundhouse South when this virus is over. They are an MTH repair station.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2020 16:22:39 GMT
I only have 1 PS2 engine, my Railking NYC Alco Pa AA set. It's a 3 volt model but stopped running last week. The front truck is running but the back truck is frozen. I bought this engine at a train show about 6 months ago and have run it a lot. I don't think the board is the problem but I haven't opened it up yet to have a look. If I can't fix it myself I'll take it to Roundhouse South when this virus is over. They are an MTH repair station. Those motors should be wired in Parallel so it shouldn't be a board problem. Jammed gear or a broken wire off the motor.
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Post by Country Joe on Apr 21, 2020 16:35:00 GMT
I only have 1 PS2 engine, my Railking NYC Alco Pa AA set. It's a 3 volt model but stopped running last week. The front truck is running but the back truck is frozen. I bought this engine at a train show about 6 months ago and have run it a lot. I don't think the board is the problem but I haven't opened it up yet to have a look. If I can't fix it myself I'll take it to Roundhouse South when this virus is over. They are an MTH repair station. Those motors should be wired in Parallel so it shouldn't be a board problem. Jammed gear or a broken wire off the motor. Thanks Gary. Now I have an idea of what to look for.
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Post by Sir James on Apr 21, 2020 16:44:37 GMT
The MTH I do have, All have BCRs. They don't get much run time but are OK so far. An unnamed friend has many MTH that have sat a long time. A number of them have had board failures. PS1, PS2, not sure the count.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2020 19:47:46 GMT
I have one PS2 locomotive mostly a carpet runner around the Christmas tree. Couple years back a capacitor exploded  smoke included!! I picked up a new one at a local electronics supplier and replaced. Still runs good after that one problem, but the 3 year old grandaughter will be running Christmas trains this year so who knows what I will have left by 1/1/2021?? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2020 13:34:59 GMT
I only own one PS-2 loco, the Premier Dreyfuss Hudson with the 5-volt board. Based on what I've heard from other forum members and MTH experts, the board on that loco could bite the dust any time, but for now, it's running great and I will continue to run it until it dies.
John
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smoke included!! I picked up a new one at a local electronics supplier and replaced. Still runs good after that one problem, but the 3 year old grandaughter will be running Christmas trains this year so who knows what I will have left by 1/1/2021??