RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
INSTALLING LM-3S in PROTO 2-000
Tom:
I am just getting started at installing LMs into locomotives (steam seemed better to start with because of ample room in tenders) after having them installed for me. I started with one Proto 2000 Berkshire which went well, except that the lights blew out. That got fixed by buying 12V bulbs (incandescent I believe) which did not need resisters.
I am now faced with something a little more complicated and would like some insight if anyone is willing to provide it. The problem is a Proto 2000 with something called QSI Quantum System, which I had not seen before. The cleaver thing about it is that one can run it on DC and do about all the things that can be done using DCC – whistle, bells and more.
The problems (see picture attached):
1) I would like to preserve the original wiring connections so as to allow easy reinstallation of the original decoder. And more importantly, it will also make it much less likely that I will ruin the whole thing. This means I need two 2 pin, one 4 pin and one 8 pin receptacles with wires protruding. I have seen something on internet called JST-2 which looks like it might work, but do not know for sure. Are there 2, 4 and 8 pin receptacles that can be attached from which to run the wires to an LM-3S?
2) If you look at the picture there are 13 wires that need to be attached to an LM-3S. The photo attached identifies all the wires. I understand how the 2 going to the speakers will attach, but that leaves 11 wires to attach to a 9 pin LM-3S. Which 2 are not needed, or where do they get attached to the LM-3S, the 6 pin side?
3) The locomotive has a MARS light. There is one white wire and two yellow wires going to the locomotive, which seems to be one extra wire, except that does there not have to be two wires running to each of these bulbs – in that case there is one wire short? Does anyone know which wires are what so they can be connected correctly to an LM-3S correctly?
4) Any idea if the light bulbs in this locomotive need to be replaced with 12V bulbs?
Any comment even if not addressing all the questions will be appreciated.
nodcc4me:
I'm not familiar with the Quantum system, and I'm not sure the LM-3s is compatible with the existing boards. If the locomotive has both a headlight and a separate Mars light then I believe the yellow wires would go to those bulbs and the white wire would go to the tender light. I have found that in most cases it is just easier to remove the existing board and hard wire the module.
G8B4Life:
--- Quote from: Tom on January 10, 2021, 09:58:38 AM ---Are there 2, 4 and 8 pin receptacles that can be attached from which to run the wires to an LM-3S?
--- End quote ---
Without knowing exactly which JST series is used on the quantum board I'm going to go out on a limb and say no. As far as I know all the JST connectors that look like what's in your picture are wire-to-board connectors (plug with wires, socket on a circuit board). There are no sockets with wires that I know of.
The only way to keep the existing wiring and plugs in that case would be to make your own motherboard with the correct JST sockets on it, to which you'd solder a standard 9 pin harness to in the correct spots etc.
--- Quote ---2) If you look at the picture there are 13 wires that need to be attached to an LM-3S. The photo attached identifies all the wires. I understand how the 2 going to the speakers will attach, but that leaves 11 wires to attach to a 9 pin LM-3S. Which 2 are not needed, or where do they get attached to the LM-3S, the 6 pin side?
--- End quote ---
You have to trace out which wire does what on the model. On the board that the 8 pin connector is on there are letters above (and numbers below) where the 8 pin connector wires are soldered onto the board. The letters might give you a clue.
It also appears that a blue wire has been cut off from the 8 pin connector. I wonder why?
--- Quote ---3) The locomotive has a MARS light. There is one white wire and two yellow wires going to the locomotive, which seems to be one extra wire, except that does there not have to be two wires running to each of these bulbs – in that case there is one wire short? Does anyone know which wires are what so they can be connected correctly to an LM-3S correctly?
--- End quote ---
Don't make the mistake of thinking that the wire colours on that board in any way complies with the NMRA wire colour standard, QSI or Life-Like (or whoever they are owned by now) would not be the first manufacturer to totally ignore it. My first guess is that the white wire is the common and the yellow wires are the switched outputs (one each for the headlight and MARS light). Again, that is a guess, you need to try and trace where they go.
--- Quote ---4) Any idea if the light bulbs in this locomotive need to be replaced with 12V bulbs?
--- End quote ---
Absolutely no idea on that one.
- Tim
Tom:
Tim,
Thank you for comments, always comprehensive as usual. Looks like I have some plowing to do on this one. I was hoping those connectors were somewhat common things, but have not been able to find on internet (except JST-2 pin) let alone confirm they are compatible. Your comments about the letters close by the 8 pin connector may prove helpful. Thanks again.
atsfguy:
Tom,
Check micromark.com. They may have miniature connectors. I saw some on a site a few months ago but didn ‘t mark the site. I will do some digging and try to find it. If successful, I will PM you.
Cecil
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