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Protosound 3 (What's new with MTH's PS3 vs PS2)


Rayman4449
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*Update 12/31/15*  I now have PS3 upgrade boards available for those who want to upgrade their PS2 engines to PS3.  Please visit my website and send me an email if interested.

 

 

Feature/Enhancements list for new MTH Protosound 3 boards:

 

 

PS3: (Factory pre-installed in MTH Engines)

- Can use both original PS2(3v) or new PS3 sound files. 

- Increased memory capacity for sound files (higher quality sound) 

- Higher quality audio amplifier (vs PS2) for crystal clear sound reproduction

- All LED lighting instead of Incandescent.  (saves power and longer bulb life)

        - If power is temporarily lost to engine, LED lights stay lit, powered by on-board capacitors.

- Auto 'Rule 17' lighting of the headlight (auto dims when idle for a period of time and brightens back up when commanded to move)

- Eliminates the need for a polarity switch on the engine 

- Has significantly improved communication signal processor for better track signal. 

        - You will get improved signal strength with all TIU versions.  Best results with Rev L TIU or newer.

- Eliminated the rechargeable battery pack (uses built in capacitors for backup power)

- Can be run and controlled in a DCC environment (DCC power and control) with the flip of a switch on engine/tender.   See the below link for more info on DCC PS3:  

          - www.rayman4449.com/DCS_Overview_Videos.htm#Operating_PS3_Under_DCC

- Engines now no longer take off running if they miss the TIU initial power up signal. (An issue when running under DC power)  If an engine misses the signal it will power up lights and sound but stay put and not move.

          - Because of the improved signal processor, missed TIU startup signals will be eliminated or greatly reduced.

 

PS32: ("PS32" Upgrade board for PS2 to PS3 upgrades)   ** Different from Factory PS3 board

- Can use both original PS2(3v) or new PS3 sound files.

- Increased memory capacity for sound files (higher quality sound) 

- Higher quality audio amplifier (vs PS2) for crystal clear sound reproduction

- **All connectors same as the PS2(3v) board to simplify upgrade.

- **Drives original Incandescent lights to simply upgrade from PS2 to PS3.  

- **Does not currently have Auto 'Rule 17' lighting of the headlight (auto-dimming when idle for a period of time and brightens back up when commanded to move)

       - May be made functional in later PS3 board firmware versions.

- Eliminates the need for a polarity switch on the engine.  

- Has significantly improved communication signal processor for better track signal.

       - You will get improved signal strength with all TIU versions.  Best results with Rev L TIU or newer.

- Eliminated the rechargeable battery pack (uses built in capacitors for backup power)

- Can be run and controlled in a DCC environment (DCC power and control) with the flip of a switch on engine/tender.   See the below link for more info on DCC PS3:  

          - www.rayman4449.com/DCS_Overview_Videos.htm#Operating_PS3_Under_DCC

- Engines now no longer take off running if they miss the TIU initial power up signal. (An issue when running under DC power)  If an engine misses the signal it will power up lights and sound but stay put and not move.

                   - Because of the improved signal processor, missed TIU startup signals will be eliminated or greatly reduced.

 

Other notes:

- PS3 engines are fully backward compatible with all existing TIUs and Remotes.  

- PS3 boards use chips and components that are more easily sourced on the market which will ensure there are never supplier constraints in the future.  (i.e. should never be issues with getting PS3 board / upgrade kits in the future once they start making them)

- All current production MTH engines are being made with PS3 installed. 

- PS3 is available for HO, O, One Gauge and S.  (Boards for HO are different from O/One Gauge and are designed to accommodate the reduced space and amperage requirements of HO.)

- All current production MTH One Gauge engines (2013 Catalog and newer) will come with PS3 pre-installed.  

- The O gauge PS3 and PS32 boards were made with the One Gauge line in mind so no special provisions should be required for One Gauge.

 

 

 

To recap the key benefits for G scale/One Gauge:

 

  - Significantly improved signal processor on the engine board.  (If you have had signal/communication issues in the past on your layout, this should resolve it or significantly reduce any issues.  Best results, run PS3 with Rev L TIU)

        - This is relevant for G scale because of the much larger size of the layouts and conditions faced outdoors.

  - Improved audio amplifier for higher sound quality

  - PS3 sound samples used:  Have greatly enhanced sound quality.

  - No more missed TIU start up signals:  Engines stay put and will not start running/moving unintended in analog mode if they miss the TIU startup signal on initial power up.  (Applies to DC power operation)

         If you had engines missing the signal in the past moving to PS3 should eliminate or greatly reduce this happening.

  - Eliminates the need for the polarity switch on the engine as the PS3 board is no longer polarity sensitive.  

  - Eliminates the need for the on-board rechargeable battery pack (the only maintenance item you had on the engine)

  - Can now run under DCS or DCC.

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Other notes:

  

- PS3 boards use chips and components that are more easily sourced on the market which will ensure there are never supplier constraints in the future.  (i.e. should never be issues with getting PS3 board / upgrade kits in the future once they start making them)

 

Interesting. Any idea of timescale?

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  • 1 year later...

I now have the new PS3 boards to upgrade existing PS2 engines.  Please visit my website and email me if interested.

 

Also wanted to share another benefit of going to the new PS3 (this is for both factory and upgrade PS3 boards)... in the past if an engine (that was being powered by DC power) missed/didn't sense the TIU initial power up signal, it would start up with lights and sound and start up running at full track power speed (thinking it should be running under analog power).  The PS3 boards no longer do that.  If a PS3 engine misses that signal it will power up lights and sound but stay put and not actually move.  This brings the behavior of how engines operated under AC power now to DC (as this is how the PS2 engines operated under AC power).

 

PS3 will be a worth while upgrade for us in G scale.  

 

To recap the key benefits for G scale/One Gauge:

 

  - Significantly improved signal processor on the engine board.  (If you have had signal/communication issues in the past on your layout, this should resolve it or significantly reduce any issues.  Best results, run PS3 with Rev L TIU)

        - This is relevant for G scale because of the much larger size of the layouts and conditions faced outdoors.

  - Improved audio amplifier for higher sound quality

  - PS3 sound files:  Can now load these to your engine which have greatly enhanced sound quality.

  - No more missed TIU start up signals:  Engines stay put and will not move if they miss the TIU startup signal on initial power up.  (Applies to DC power operation)

         If you had engines missing the signal in the past moving to PS3 should eliminate or greatly reduce this happening.

  - Eliminates the need for the polarity switch on the engine as the PS3 board is no longer polarity sensitive.  

  - Eliminates the need for the on-board rechargeable battery pack (the only maintenance item you had on the engine)

  - Can now run under DCS or DCC.

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  • 4 years later...

Rayman, terrific post, thanks.  Just so i’m clear…can an older ps2 engine take either a ps3 or a ps32 board?

Also, do you hear anything about possible availability of ps3 boards?

jim b.  (jwbils@yahoo.com)

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