MTH protosound

[DMUinCT]

Ten years ago "PS-1" was a Sound & Reverse system designed by vendor "QSI".   It used a rechargable battery to retain the Progam Information.   As the battery was recharged from the track, if you ran the locomotive all was OK.    If it was a long time between runnings, it was best to recharge the battery BEFORE STARTUP.    The best cure was to replace the battery with a charged condenser device sold as a "BCR".

"PS-2" is a complete Digitial Command System ("DCS") combined with a high wattage sound system. You can run the locomotive in Conventional Transformer Mode or, with a "DCS" transmitter, in full remote Command Mode.  A rechageable battery is still used but failure to keep it charge will not result in loss of information, just erratic operation until charged.   MTH uses "PS-2" in "HO", "O", and "G Gauge" and market an "Upgrade Kit".

"PS-3" was introduced last year and is now becoming a standard MTH system.  It is smaller in size, does not use a battery, and includes a third mode of operation.  In addition to "Conventional" and "DCS" they added "DCC" control, widely used in "HO" and "G" gauges.  

 

[Seayakbill]

I have around 50 or so PS-2 locos going back to the very first ones, never have had any problems with the electronics in them. I also have a bunch of PS-1 locos, replaced the batteries at the 5 year mark with BCR's and have never had any start-up problems with them.

Now this is not to say they all have been issue free, I and my 3 grandsons run the heck out of these locos and parts wear out. No different than my TMCC locos. I will say this, I have more Lionel locos with problems than MTH locos.

Just last week one of my favorite Atlas F-units with Lionel TMCC & RS, running on the main and all of a sudden the sounds went dead, so you never know.

 

 

[emk]

What has been the experience with PS-1 versus PS-2?  I've heard conflicting stories about earlier battery problems, but also that PS-2 tends to have reliability issues.  I am considering purchasing an RTR set (O-27) with F3 diesels that have PS-2.  Should I worry about PS-2?