Premier Dash 8 Diesel Engine OPERATOR’S MANUAL (3V PS-2) (Proto-Scale 3-2) Compatibility This engine will operate on any traditional O-36 Gauge track system, including M.T.H.’s RealTrax® or ScaleTrax™ or traditional tubular track. It is also compatible with most standard AC transformers. (See page 24 for a complete list of compatible transformers and wiring instructions.
Table of Contents Set Up Checklist........................................................................................................... Lubrication....................................................................................................... Checking the Battery....................................................................................... Priming the Smoke Unit.................................................................................
Set Up Checklist - Lubricate the locomotive - Check to see whether the battery needs to be charged for full sound effects - Prime the smoke unit - Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual Lubrication You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” shown below. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Priming the Smoke Unit When preparing to run this engine, add 15-20 drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack (shown below). We recommend M.T.H. ProtoSmoke™ fluid. Do not overfill the unit or the fluid may leak out and coat the interior engine components. If you choose not to add smoke fluid (or have already added fluid but choose to run smoke-free), turn off the smoke unit by turning the smoke unit control to the “OFF” position, fully Counter Clockwise position.
Configuring Locomotive for 2-Rail or 3-Rail Operation Your locomotive can be configured to operate on 2-Rail or 3-Rail track. From the factory the locomotive is configured to operate on 3-Rail Track. To configure the locomotive for 2-Rail track operation, please do the following: 1. Remove the center rail pickup roller assemblies 2. Change the power input from 3-Rail to 2-Rail as seen in the figure below.
Ensuring Proper Power to Track Polarity For 2-rail DCS operation, it is important that the polarity from the transformer to the engine is properly configured. Correct polarity can be accomplished by ensuring that the wiring from the TIU to the track and orientation of the locomotive when sitting on the track follows the illustration below.
Basic Operation The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel. Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine and caboose lights shine bright. Put the engine into motion by pressing the Direction button on your transformer once. (hold it for approximately 1 second) If the engine does not begin to move as soon as you firmly press the Direction button, you may not have sent enough voltage to the track to make the train move. Turn the throttle up a bit higher until the train begins to move.
Manual Volume Control To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the manual volume control (shown below) clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Proto-Sound® 2.0 Operating Instructions This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Soun0®d 2.0 in conventional mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompany the DCS Remote Control System equipment. Activating Proto-Sound® 2.0 Conventional Mode Features: Proto-Sound® 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Horn/Whistle button pushes described below. Please read the full descriptions of each feature before using it.
! The FYS/PSA will continue, and within a few seconds, the engine will start and move out on its own at the current throttle setting, in the same direction it was traveling when you began the sequence. Once the bell turns off, the operator regains control of the transformer's Bell and Horn/Whistle buttons and can ring the bell or blow the horn/whistle as usual.
Front Coupler: To fire the front coupler (if your engine has one), quickly tap the Bell button once followed by four quick taps of the Hor n/Whistle button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion will play, and the knuckle will be released. = Speed Control: M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.
Reset to Factory Defaults: To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its factory defaults, while in Neutral tap the Horn/Whistle button quickly once, followed by five quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. Two horn/whistle blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change.
Maintenance Lubricating and Greasing Instructions The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly. Regularly lubricate all axles and pickup rollers to prevent squeaking. Use light household oil, such as that found in M.T.H.'s maintenance kit. Do not over oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
It is recommended to lubricate the outside truck block idler and drive gears with grease. Use the diagram shown below as a guide and add grease to the points marked. Greasing The Idler Gears Grease Idler Gear (G) Cleaning The Wheels, Tires, and Track Periodically check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt and buildup, which can cause poor electrical contact and traction and prematurely wear out the neoprene traction tires.
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions Your locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires on each powered truck block. While these tires are extremely durable, you may need to replace them at some point. Please use the following instructions to replace the traction tires. 1. Turn your engine upside down. 2. Remove the two Phillips screws that attach each truck side to the truck block. 3.
Locomotive Light Bulb Replacement To replace the burned out light bulbs on this locomotive, remove the body from the chassis by removing the body mount screws shown below. Once the body is removed, locate the burned out light bulb(s). Carefully remove bulb(s) from mounting. Disconnect light bulb harness from main harness wire. Replacement bulb harnesses are available directly from the M.T.H. Parts department. (Order online: www.mth-railking.com, e-mail: parts@mthrailking.
Self Charging Battery Back-up The special rechargeable 2.4v self-charging battery recharges continuously during train operation and should last for up to five years. The battery is a dry battery that should not leak or cause any damage to your engine. Depending upon when your engine was built, it may need to be charged right out of the box.
ProtoSmoke™ Unit Operation This diesel locomotive contains a Proto-Sound® 2.0 controlled smoke unit that outputs smoke through the smokestack on the roof of the engine. The smoke unit is essentially a small heating element and wick that soaks up and then heats a mineral oil-based fluid that emits smoke. The smoke is then forced out of the stack by a small electric fan. Smoke volume is controlled by the Proto-Sound® 2.0 system.
After removing the engine from storage, add another 25 drops of fluid, letting the wick soak up the fluid for 15 minutes prior to operation. If you experience poor or no smoke output when the smoke unit is on and has fluid, check the wick to see if it has become hard, blackened, and unabsorbent around the heating element. After removing the locomotive body from its chassis, remove the smoke unit inspection cover (see below).
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems Although Proto-Sound®2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of use, you may have some questions during initial operation. The following table should answer most questions. If your problem cannot be resolved with this table, contact M.T.H. for assistance (www.mth-railking.com, e-mail: parts@mthrailking.com,Fax: 410-423-0009, Phone: 410-381-2580, Mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532,).
Cab Chatter Remedy Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds don’t play. Cab Chatter plays only in neutral at random intervals. Lock-out Remedy I can’t get the engine to run after I power up the transformer. It sits still with the engine sounds running. The engine is locked into the neutral position. Follow the procedure in the “Lock into a Direction” section. Engine speed must be below 10 scale mph (approx. 10 volts or less in conventional mode). The engine won’t lock into forward, neutral, or reverse.
FYS/PSA Remedy Once in FYS/PSA, the engine doesn’t go into reverse. So that FYS/PSA effects can be as realistic as possible, ProtoSound® 2.0 disables the reversing unit whenever FYS/PSA is enabled. This way the engine remains still at its stop as the operator cycles through the FYS/PSA sequences. When the FYS/PSA enters its last FYS/PSA is programmed to start ringing the bell at that point. After sequence the bell automatically approximately 12 seconds it will comes on. automatically turn off.
Additional Features Accessible With The DCS Remote Control System (Additional equipment required) While conventional mode operation of a Proto-Sound 2.0 engine yields wonderfully realistic sound and several train control features, command mode operation allows the user to access a world of command functions never before accessible to O Gauge railroaders.
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart Proto-Sound® 2.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart below lists the many compatible transformers. Note that many of the operational commands described in these instructions require a bell button, so if your transformer does not have its own bell button, you should consider adding one to get the full benefit of the system. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these transformers should be attached to your layout.
Recommended DC Power Supplies Proto-Sound® 2.0 is designed to work with most standard DC power supplies and AC transformers. The following charts lists the recommended DC and AC transformers. Note that many of the AC operational commands described in these instructions require a bell button, so if your AC transformer does not have its own bell button, you should consider adding one to get the full benefit of the system.
Service & Warranty Information How to Get Service Under the Terms of the Limited One-Year Warranty When you suspect an item is defective, please check the operator's manual for standard operation and troubleshooting techniques that may correct the problem. Additional information may be found on the M.T.H. Website. Should you still require service, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service. First, e-mail, write, call or fax M.T.H. Electric Trains or a M.T.H.
