™
Troubleshooting Loco-Sound Problems
Although Loco-Sound 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 (e-mail: [email protected]; telephone: 410-381-2580;
fax: 410-423-0009; mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
16
Starting Up
Whistle
Bell
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
When I first turn the power on, the
engine will not begin to run.
The engine will not start after I press
the Direction button.
I can't get the whistle to blow when I
press the whistle button.
I can't get the bell to ring when I press
the bell button.
You may be pressing the button too quickly. Try pressing
the whistle button more slowly, taking approximately one
full second to fully depress the button.
You may be pressing the button too quickly. Try pressing
the bell button more slowly, taking approximately one full
second to fully depress the button.
This is normal behavior. To prevent accidental high-speed
start-ups, Loco-Sound is programmed to start up in neutral
anytime track power has been turned off for several seconds.
See the "Basic Operation" section for more details.
You may not be sending enough power to the track to power
the engine. Press the throttle up for a few more seconds to
increase track power.
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 won't lock into forward,
neutral, or reverse.
The engine may be locked into the neutral position. Follow
the procedure in the "Lock into a Direction" section to
unlock the engine's direction.
Engine speed must be below 10 scale mph (approx. 10 volts
or less in conventional mode).
Volume
Remedy
The sounds seem distorted,
especially when the Horn or bell is
activated.
No sound.
Loco-Sound volume is set too high. Turn the volume
control knob on the bottom of the chassis counter-clockwise
to reduce the volume.
Volume is set too low, adjust volume control knob on the
bottom of the chassis clockwise to increase the volume or
check connector to speaker.
Proto-Cast and -Dispatch
Remedy
When I try to play music or my
voice through my engine's speakers,
there is popping and interference.
My Proto-Cast sounds play too
quietly or unclearly.
When I try to play Proto-Cast, the
engine's sounds keep breaking in on
my recording.
When I run two Loco-Sound
engines on tracks near each other,
the Proto-Cast and Dispatch sounds
play from both engines, not just
from the one connected to the audio
source or microphone.
Clean the track with denatured alcohol, as described in the
"Cleaning the Wheels, Tires, and Track" section of this
book.
Unplug the cable between the audio source and the remote
lock-on. Re-plug it into the audio source first, then into the
lock-on, pushing firmly to make sure it is fully installed.
Your recording may be playing too quietly to trigger the
engine to stop playing its own sound set. Turn up the
volume of the audio source you are using.
This is normal behavior. Because Loco-Sound uses radio
waves to transmit the sound to the engine, other Loco-
Sound engines in the same range will also pick up the
sound. Try moving one of the sets.
RailKing 6-8-6 Bantam Turbine Steam Passenger Set with Loco-Sound™
