background image

F40PH Diesel Operating Manual

6

DCRU™ REVERSE UNIT AND PROTOSOUNDS
OPERATION(All 3-Rail Models)

As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a DCRU™

reverse unit that contains the standard forward-neutral-reverse states found on most
reverse units. However, as described earlier, when power is first applied to the track, the
reverse unit begins in RESET or what seems like a neutral state.

Power must be

interrupted again to get the locomotive to enter the forward state. It is this first RESET state
that gives ProtoSound™ its unique, remote controlled functions. The system will enter
RESET whenever power to the track is off for three or more seconds. NEUTRAL will be
referred to as the state between Forward and Reverse.

ProtoSounds™ is equipped with a microprocessor, that, depending on the amount of

memory it is allotted, allows the user to utilize several remotely activated functions. In the
simplest terms, ProtoSounds™ has its own “Computer" controlling these functions. In fact,
the power of this microprocessor is the same as that of a 286 desktop computer! In order to
access many of these remotely controlled functions, the user must be in the RESET state to
do so. RESET is entered anytime power to the locomotive has been off for more than 3 to 5
seconds. When the engine first enters RESET, the microprocessor initiates a system
check to determine if the system, transformer and engine are operating correctly. This
takes approximately 2.2 seconds during which you will hear the engine’s startup sounds
begin. In order for ProtoSounds to properly initiate the system check, do not advance the
transformer throttle past 10 volts when you first enter RESET, wait for the diesel startup
sounds to begin and then slowly turn the transformer throttle to the off position and then
back on again to enter the forward phase. Interrupting the power too quickly may cause the
system to re-enter RESET (signaled by two dings of the bell). Should this happen, wait
longer before interrupting the power to enter the Forward phase.

ProtoSounds™ comes with several programmable functions, including Turbine Whine

Volume Adjustment, Separate Bell Button Operation (pre-programmed at the factory), Cab
Chatter On/Off Control, ProtoCoupler On/Off Control and Horn-In-Neutral Operation. Each
of these features are described in more detail later. You will notice that when in RESET,
your engine will not respond to the whistle button with a horn blast or continuous bell
ringing. In fact, when in RESET and the whistle button is depressed, only one single bell
chime will be heard each time the whistle button is pressed. If you don’t want to configure or
change your locomotive using any of these programmable features, simply leave RESET
and wait 2.2 seconds before interrupting the power to put the engine in forward. After you
leave RESET, your engine will operate normally in all the direction states of forward, neutral
and reverse.

Summary of Contents for EMD F40PH DIESELLOCOMOTIVE

Page 1: ...ng stock and accessories If you purchased the 2 rail model the engine should negotiate 36 inch radius curves and is completely compatible with any DC power source The locomotive is equipped with sever...

Page 2: ...ING THE ENGINE VOLUME 15 PROGRAMMING FOR A SEPARATE BELL BUTTON CONTROLLER 16 PROGRAMMING FOR SQUEAKING BRAKE OPERATION 16 PROGRAMMING FOR HORN IN NEUTRAL OPERATION 17 TURNING OFF CAB CHATTER SOUNDS 1...

Page 3: ...former direction switch if so equipped The 2 rail model s direction is controlled through the polarity of the DC power source and operate the same as all 2 rail DC engines The reverse unit is designed...

Page 4: ...If you don t choose to add the fluid then the smoke unit switch should be turned off Failure to either add the fluid or turn the switch off could lead to damage to the smoke unit heating element and...

Page 5: ...ble at most hobby shops Replacement smoke unit wicks can be purchased directly from MTH Electric Trains PROTOSOUNDS OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS The MTH ProtoSound digital sound and train control system pro...

Page 6: ...o determine if the system transformer and engine are operating correctly This takes approximately 2 2 seconds during which you will hear the engine s startup sounds begin In order for ProtoSounds to p...

Page 7: ...EUTRAL The bell will never ring continuously in RESET Remember NEUTRAL is the state between Forward and Reverse Once the bell is turned on it will continue to ring when the engine is cycled into forwa...

Page 8: ...nsformer throttle to enter either forward or reverse to allow the engine to begin running Note the brake sound will only be activated in the first direction state you enter after triggering the featur...

Page 9: ...once your engine comes to a stop or that the sounds stop prematurely before the engine comes to a complete halt For example if you simply run the engine and turn the throttle off quickly the brake sou...

Page 10: ...gine and put it into neutral If the throttle setting was at 14 volts or higher ProtoSounds will play the sound of squealing brakes as the engine comes to a stop I Upon stopping of the engine the opera...

Page 11: ...e Aboard and Tickets Please In addition to the two conductor highlights the station ambient sounds continue and still include passenger footsteps muffled voices baggage being moved about crashing soun...

Page 12: ...ith ProtoSounds or PFA If the engine isn t equipped with PFA the only thing to remember is that you not turn up the transformer throttle very high when entering the reverse state found in Event 3 If t...

Page 13: ...g the coupler If the coupler continues to open erratically try lubricating the knuckle with light oil as indicated in Fig 5 For multiple heading purposes only one of the two Proto Couplers will functi...

Page 14: ...while you wait for your replacement ProtoSound battery to arrive REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND BATTERY If you notice that the sounds seem distorted or garbled at low voltages or become silent when power fr...

Page 15: ...nd you will hear three clinks for Feature 3 Advance it two more times and you will hear a clank indicating that you are now in Feature 5 Advance the throttle two more times and you will hear a clank a...

Page 16: ...rogrammed for a bell button Simply turn the throttle off and then on again to Lock In the new setting To reset the computer to its original factory default setting no separate bell button operation re...

Page 17: ...eliminate repetitive and boring messages While the sounds are selected to play randomly by the unit s computer there is no guarantee that you won t hear the same message repeated twice or more times I...

Page 18: ...lockout feature comes from the factory in the OFF position meaning it is not active when you first take the engine out of the box This is done to prevent novice operators from accidentally locking th...

Page 19: ...PRESS THE WHISTLE BUTTON WHILE THE HORN IS BLOWING TURN THE THROTTLE OFF AND THEN LET GO OF THE WHISTLE BUTTON After three seconds without power you will hear one chime of the RESET bell TURN ON THE P...

Page 20: ...located on each end of the chassis as seen in Fig 8 above After removing the screws lift the body away from the chassis and lay the body next to the chassis Next remove the truck blocks from the chas...

Page 21: ...wdriver pry away any remains left from the old tire that may still be in the drive wheel groove Once the old tire has been completely removed slip the new tire onto the wheel You may find it useful to...

Page 22: ...e power twice to enter Neutral set the voltage at 8 volts or less and press the whistle button to activate the bell I can t get the bell to ring when I press the whistle button You may be pressing the...

Page 23: ...olume level BATTERY PROBLEMS REMEDY I get no sounds when the engine shifts between the direction states The battery may be dead or needs charging See the Battery Backup section for more information Af...

Page 24: ...t to hear the passenger station sounds after entering neutral turn the power off for three seconds to disable the passenger station sound effects FYS PROBLEMS REMEDY The FYS feature does not begin eve...

Page 25: ...will play Transformer Type Outside Rail Center Rail Min Max Voltage Power Rating Lionel 1032 A U 5 16v 90 Watt Lionel 1032M A U 5 16v 90 Watt Lionel 1033 A U 5 16v 90 Watt Lionel 1043 A U 5 16v 90 Wa...

Page 26: ...er whistle button until you hear a soft warbled bell sound RESET OPERATION DEFAULT SETTING CLINKS CLANKS 6 Diesel Volume Full Volume 5 Clinks 1 Clank 10 Coupler On Off Coupler On 0 Clinks 2 Clanks 18...

Page 27: ...ter including your name address daytime phone number Return Authorization number and a full description of the problem must be included to facilitate the repairs Please include the description regardl...

Reviews: