Erratic reversing in MTH Protosound 1 loco

[4kitties]

Hi all,

Sorry if this has come up before, but I searched and didn't find anything.  Has anyone experienced erratic reversing in MTH PS1 locos?  I have the N&W Class A 1218 from around 2000.  It powers up normally, goes through the reset sequence, and runs OK in both directions, but sometimes when I try to cycle it to neutral the sound goes dead immediately, then comes back on without the reset sounds as the engine continues moving in the direction it was before.  If I cycle the throttle again, sometimes it takes 2 tries, it goes to neutral and the sounds stay active.  Coming out of neutral is not a problem.  It doesn't seem to matter how quickly or slowly I move the throttle to zero and back up when I do this.  I don't believe this is one of the PS1 engines that has the chip scrambling problem, and the battery has a full charge.

Hopefully this will be moot soon because I plan to have the engine converted to PS2.  For me that's more cost-effective than selling this one and buying the re-issue that has PS2.  But for now, if there is anything I could do to fix this behavior, I'd like to do it.

Thanks for any thoughts,

Joel 

[wrmcclellan]

Could be a couple of things,

1. MTH conventional operation requires you to allow about a second or two before you reapply power. You cannot cycle the power as fast as with other manufacturers.

2. How well is the battery holding the charge? Can you let it sit for a couple of hours and immediately start it up, then shut it down, and then have it go through the 8 -10 sec shutdown sequence? If not your battery may be charging enough to run, but not strong enough to operate properly. If the battery is weak - be careful - you could end up with a scrambled chip.

[phillyreading]

Is the battery fully charged and holding the charge?  If not try a new battery before using the locomotive again!!  The battery must be fully charged or it can give you problems. The battery seems to be the bad guy this time and will help fry your circuit board if not replaced NOW!!

Another word of advice on PS1 and PS2: DON'T interchange units or circuit boards from PS1 & PS2 as this can lead to electronic failure, batteries you may be safe.  I recomend a separate charging device and not track power to charge the battery.

From what I have read or watched on DVD about MTH's Proto Sound System you must replace the entire electronic system to use PS2 as it is totally differant than PS1, the motors and lights and wire connectors or wire harnesses are about the only things re-useable to upgrade to PS2 from PS1.

Lee F.

[4kitties]

Thanks for your replies. I do have a full charge on the battery and it is holding it. The shutdown sounds always go through their entire sequence and the battery voltage reads in the 8-plus range.  The startup sequence is always OK with the 2 bell sounds, then the air compressor sounds, and the loco is always ready and willing to move out when I cycle the throttle.  It's only sometimes when I go from forward or reverse to neutral, that the sounds cut out entirely until I bring the track voltage back up.  That happens no matter how slowly I move the throttle to zero.  Other times the loco behaves exactly as it is supposed to.

Don't worry, I have no plans to try mixing and matching PS1 and PS2 components. I intend to have a complete PS2 conversion done as I did with another engine in '04.

Thanks again,

Joel

[phillyreading]

Are you powering the TIU from track power or separately from a jumper like cable? Try using a separate power source toi the TIU and see what happens.  It's an idea!

Off topic question Joel, Do you really have four kitties?

Lee F.