Special Limitations for Diesel upgrades to Protosounds 2.0
Unfortunately there are some limitations to what can be done with certain diesel locomotives in regards to Protosounds 2.0 conversions. The list below illustrates these issues and offers alternatives to circumvent these issues.
MTH Protosounds 1 Diesels
- Diesel sets that have a total of 4 motors such as F-3, Alco PA-1, C-Liners, Alco FA-1, UP turbines, etc. The addition of powered B units and the sort. The Protosounds 2.0 electronics will only operate 2 can motors, so in instances such as these you have three choices.
- First, upgrade each powered unit with a Protosounds 2.0 board ($290.00 per powered unit, approximately $580.00 for 2 powered units or $860.00 for three powered units).
- Secondly, you can install TMCC with Railsounds 4.0 using our 15 Amp DC SAW Board, which will effectively handle up to 6 motors and provide Railsounds 4.0, directional lighting and coil coupler control (approximately $335.00 for the whole set).
- Third, you can add EOB speed control, Railsounds 4.0, directional lighting and coil coupler control as EOB will effectively handle up to 6 motors. (for approximately $370.00 for the whole set).
Weaver E-8 locomotives
- These earlier Weaver locomotives were shipped with 2 powered A units for a total of 4 DC can motors. None of these diesel sets came equipped with flyhweels. Because the motors do not have flywheels you have three options in upgrading them.
- First, you can have the motors equipped with Flywheels through Timkos Train Repair (approximately $110.00 for all 4 motors plus shipping). Once the flywheels are installed you can add Protosounds 2.0 for $580.00 for the 2 powered units.
- Secondly, you can add EOB speed control, Railsounds 4.0, directional lighting and coil coupler control as EOB will effectively handle up to 6 motors. (Approximately $370.00 for the whole set, providing you convert the motors to have flywheels for $110.00.)
- Third, you can install TMCC with Railsounds 4.0 using our 15 Amp DC SAW Board, which will effectively handle up to 6 motors and provide Railsounds 4.0, directional lighting and coil coupler control (approximately $335.00 for the whole set) No need to equip the motors with flywheels for this option.
The Protosounds 2.0 circuit boards will only handle 2 DC can motors. In order to upgrade a locomotive with 4 or more can motors, for DCS control, you have to either use the Protosounds 2.0 boards for each dual motored locomotive, use a Protosounds 2.0 board for the lead A unit along with a slave board for the trialing powered units or convert the engine using one of our TMCC upgrades (which we have the capability of upgrading locos with or without flywheels).
There may be some instances where we have forgotten a locomotive or two, the best bet is to contact us directly and let us know which specific locomotive(s) you have and what control system you prefer to use. We can then advise the least expensive route to take along with part numbers, pricing, etc.