Advanced Analog Features
Starting the Locomotive
Most HO DC power packs with a standard reversing switch
5
are suitable for Analog operation. Generally, modern electronic type power
packs will provide better performance.
When operated with a standard DC power pack, your Quantum equipped Electric locomotive behaves quite differently from other
locomotives you may have operated. Unlike standard HO locomotives that start at very low track voltages, Quantum equipped locomotives
require a minimum amount of voltage to operate the electronics. Also, the response to the throttle is realistically much slower and more like
a prototype locomotive.
Turn the throttle up slowly until you hear the Quantum System™ come on with a Long Air Let-off sound. The Number Board Lights,
Cab Lights
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and colored Marker Lights (if so equipped) will turn on
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. The Directional Headlight will come on dim or, if your Electric
locomotive has a Mars Light, it will be dim and the Headlight will be off. Cab Lights will turn on after 10 seconds. See a table
summary of Directional Lighting Operation in the DCC section of this manual. You will hear the motor start up followed by the Air
Pumps.
Continue
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to turn up the throttle voltage until the locomotive starts to move in Forward (this voltage is called V-Start
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). The Electric
Traction Motor(s) sounds will increase in proportion to the engine’s speed and with labored sounds proportional to the locomotive’s
acceleration and Load setting (see QSI Sound of Power™ on page
5) and the locomotive will slowly start to move. The Headlight will
switch on bright and the optional Ditch Lights will turn on or the optional Mars Light will begin to pulse. After 10 seconds in Forward or
Reverse, the Cooling Fans will come on stay on. After 15 seconds in Forward or Reverse, the Cab Lights (if so equipped) will
automatically shut off.
Locomotive Inertia Effects
Your new locomotive is pre-programmed at the factory to use Regulated Throttle Control (RTC) in Analog (DC
powered) operation. RTC makes your locomotive operate as though it has the mass and inertia of a
prototype locomotive. As a result, your locomotive will resist starting up too quickly if at rest and will resist
changes in speed once moving (see
Standard Throttle Control™ (STC™) and Regulated Throttle Control™
(RTC™) on page 5). It takes a little practice to learn to move the throttle slowly and wait until the locomotive
responds. If you prefer that your locomotive respond almost immediately to throttle movements on your DC
power pack, it may be reprogrammed to use Standard Throttle Control (STC). Under STC there is no Inertial
Control. The Example at the bottom of page 7-8 in the Owners Manual explains how to program your
locomotive to use STC.
As you slow the locomotive down by gradually reducing the throttle to a little below V-start, the Electric Traction Motor(s) rev and
labored sounds volume decreases, while Squealing Brake sounds occur as the Electric locomotive comes to a slow stop
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.
Note:
If you need to turn your throttle up quite high to start your Electric locomotive, V-Start can be adjusted for operation with your particular DC power
pack (see Analog Programming on pages 7-9). For recommended power packs, consult the
Quantum Analog Reference Manual
(Version 3) available at
http://www.qsindustries.com
.
Doppler Effect
This sound effect changes the pitch and volume of the Horn, Bell or other Electric engine sounds as the locomotive passes.
While the locomotive is moving toward the observer, flip the direction switch to turn on the Horn.
Wait at least one second while the Horn is blowing.
Just before the locomotive passes in front of the observer, flip the direction switch back and forth quickly so the Horn does not shut
off. You will hear the Doppler Effect as the locomotive passes by.
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Some electronic power packs do not have a reverse switch. Instead they have a reverse button, which does not cause a rapid change in track polarity to the track and is not
suitable for Quantum operation. See the list of suitable power packs in the
Quantum Analog Reference Manual
(Version 3) at http://www.qsindustries.com
.
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Your Electric locomotive may not have all lights described here, depending on the model.
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Side Marker Lights are red; end Marker lights are green approaching and red receding. See Page 11 in the DCC section for complete description of automatic Directional
Lighting for both DCC and Analog.
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It is not necessary to wait for the locomotive Start Up to finish before entering Forward. If you turn up the throttle, the Start Up sounds terminate and the electric locomotive will
immediately go into normal Forward operation.
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V-Start is set at 8.5 volts. It is important to note where V-Start is located on your conventional DC throttle control knob to know where you will enter and leave Neutral
(see
Neutral
on Page 4).
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Squealing Brakes occur if the locomotive exceeds 40 scale-miles per hour (smph) (64.4 scale kilometers/hour) and then slows down to below 20 smph (32skph).
Electric Loco Q1 w/Volume Pot Operation Manual, Version 2.8
3/21
8 March 2006
