background image

Page 4 

 

OPERATION 

 

1.  Plug in hand controller and turned control knob to off (fully 

anticlockwise). 

2.  Turn the battery isolator switch key clockwise to turn the power on. 
3.  Flip the top toggle switch on (below the battery isolator). This is the 

ignition switch. 

4.  The Truecharge Meter should flash as it checks the system before 

displaying the battery condition. 

5.  The engine has been fitted with a speed governor (lower toggle switch) 

which restricts the loco to 50% power/top speed. It is recommended 
that you leave the governor on until you are familiar with the 
performance of the engine. 

 

 

6.  To drive, click in the deadmans button and slowly turn the control knob clockwise. The faster 

you turn it down the harder the regenerative braking will be applied. There is no coast setting 
just keep the power applied. 

7.  Avoid driving by clicking the deadmans on and off (favourite with small children). 
8.  If in doubt let go of the deadmans button. 
9.  If towing the loco please ensure the power is turned off by the battery isolator switch and do 

not tow faster than 5mph. 
 

 

 

TO AVOID RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND EQUIPMENT DAMAGE: 

 

o

  Do not speed. These locos are capable of speeds of over 10mph. Serious injury can occur 

from inappropriate speeding. 

o

 

Ensure any coupling pin passes through the coupling by at least ¾” - 1” (18 – 25mm). If 

coupling to rolling stock with an excessively different height coupling use a pin which has a 

system in place to stop it being lifted out. An “R” clip or a bolt with a nyloc nut are two 

methods. 

o

  Regenerative braking is very effective but does not work when the engine is stationary or on 

wet/greasy track. It cannot replace the need for train brakes especially if you intend to pull 

large loads.  

o

  Drivers should be familiar with the locomotive and its performance before carrying 

passengers. Drivers should be judged by their skill and ability rather than age. Insurance and 

club policies will have their own criteria which should be followed. 

o

  DO NOT disable the deadmans switch without first finding a safe alternative. A run away 

uncontrolled engine is incredibly dangerous. Just imagine if the engine comes uncoupled. 

How would you stop the train? 

 

 

Summary of Contents for Hercules Loco

Page 1: ...Page 1 HERCULES LOCO Battery Electric Locomotive for 5 Gauge INSTRUCTIONS ...

Page 2: ...rouble free running Suggestions like make sure the nuts are on the bogies before lifting the chassis is not just waffle I know from experience because if they aren t on and you lift the chassis the bogies drop off and on to your foot which is why I wear toe cap boots Now you know I hope you won t make that mistake If you are unsure of any advice given in this leaflet please get in touch with Ride ...

Page 3: ...Do not roll the engine on concrete or other hard surfaces Damage to the flanges can severely affect the performance and may damage track Always buy batteries with lifting handles Type 063 round post terminals are recommended A Traveller Hercules has been designed to help with handling issues by allowing the engine to be broken down in to packages weighing less than 12kg Before Use please check The...

Page 4: ...s turned off by the battery isolator switch and do not tow faster than 5mph TO AVOID RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY AND EQUIPMENT DAMAGE o Do not speed These locos are capable of speeds of over 10mph Serious injury can occur from inappropriate speeding o Ensure any coupling pin passes through the coupling by at least 1 18 25mm If coupling to rolling stock with an excessively different height coupling use...

Page 5: ...al spur gear should be able to move very slightly without moving the delrin gear A thin piece of paper wound between the gears should see the gears lock together Adjust the meshing if the gears are too loose Every 20 30 Outings or yearly Grease the rubbing plates between the bogies and chassis This requires taking the bogie bolts off and lifting the chassis to allow access underneath All electrica...

Page 6: ... difference in stopping distance Always drive with an emergency stop option deadmans switch train brakes if available 3 Electrical Make sure batteries can only be connected the right way round Wash any wet liquid from batteries with plenty of water Acid burns are painful but don t appear immediately If in doubt wash Keep metal tools away from battery terminals Do not make electric connections to t...

Page 7: ...ld be a motor slipping out of mesh Check and reset meshing o Check to see if Truecharge Meter drops when power applied if yes failing batteries o Grease on track This will affect acceleration and regenerative braking This is more common than you may think Clean track and wheels to cure Strange whirring sounds coming from under loco o STOP IMMEDIATELY Check for meshed gears and trapped debris o Oil...

Page 8: ...s the deadmans switch is on the yellow control wire This was done as to avoid potential issues with sound systems that need to tap in to the potentiometer wires We would not recommend using sound systems that tap in to the control wires unless you can guarantee there will be no interference with the function of the iDrive unit Stray voltage from sound systems have been known to cause controllers t...

Page 9: ...ff the ignition switch If the unit fails to reset please contact Ride on Railways Do not worry if you do not get all the green lights lit up on the meter It meter is only a basic guide to battery condition and works on the assumption that when batteries are running low the voltage drops Some batteries can give out a slightly lower voltage yet still have good capacity If in doubt check batteries wi...

Page 10: ... lights are lighting up and down in sequence it means the controller has been switched on with control knob left with power on safety lock out to avoid runaways Return control knob to zero for the controller to unlock P Middleton January 2013 ...

Reviews: