PS 3.0 Enhancements
®
Here are some of the exciting changes incorporated into your new MTH Proto-Sound
3.0 Locomotives. More advanced features such as Custom Speed Tables and Advanced
Consisting can be found in the DCC section of this manual.
Conventional (Analog) AC/DC Start-up/Shut-down
Your new MTH PS3.0-equipped locomotive no longer has batteries. It uses Super
Capacitors to hold the engine board alive for a short time when you shut off or
interrupt track power. Because of this, when you first apply track power to your PS3.0-
equipped O Gauge engine, you will notice the headlight comes on but nothing else. This
is perfectly normal. The capacitors are charging up during this time. The wait time
depends upon how long it’s been since you last applied power to the engine. Typically it
will take 1-15 seconds to fully charge.
NOTE: The 1-15 second charging wait time
ONLY applies to conventional AC track power.
Once the headlight shuts off, the engine will play its start-up sounds and all the lights
will come back on, simultaneously. Smoke too if you have it turned on.
The capacitors hold enough charge to play the full shut-down sounds. Also, the
capacitors allow you to operate your engine in conventional mode just like you would
any other conventionally-controlled engine. Finally, because there are no batteries, you
will notice there is no external charge jack on the engine.
DCS/DCC Switch
Your MTH PS3.0-equipped engine has a DCS/DCC selector switch (located on the
underside of the tender in steam engines). To operate the engine in DCS mode, ensure
the switch is set to DCS. If you wish to run the engine in DCC mode, ensure the switch
is set to DCC.
If you inadvertently leave the switch in DCC it won’t hurt anything, you just won’t be
able to communicate with your engine with your DCS system. Likewise, if you leave the
switch in DCS and try to operate the engine under DCC you may notice a humming
coming from your engine and you will likely notice that your DCC system’s overload
light will be on.
Premier SD50 Diesel Engine
5
Figure 6: Changing from DCS to DCC Mode
DCS/DCC Switch