NYC Dreyfuss Operating Manual
22
TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND™ PROBLEMS
Although ProtoSounds has been designed and engineered for ease of use, some
questions may arise during initial operation. The following table should answer most
questions. If you find that your problem can’t be resolved with this manual, contact MTH
ProtoSound Electronics (9693-A Gerwig Lane, Columbia, MD 21046) for additional
assistance.
COUPLER PROBLEMS
REMEDY
The ProtoCoupler won't let the
engine uncouple on the "Fly".
WHISTLE PROBLEMS
BELL PROBLEMS
REMEDY
REMEDY
The whistle seems distorted at low
voltages
When I press the whistle button to acti-
vate the bell, the whistle sounds.
When I press the whistle button, the
bell comes on instead.
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 whistle button.
The bell won't work with a separate
bell button.
I can't get the coupler to arm or fire
open when I press the whistle button.
When I press the whistle button to acti-
vate the bell, I arm the coupler
When I press the whistle button to acti-
vate the bell, the bell only rings once.
Your battery may be undercharged or dead. Try recharging the battery as
explained on page 14.
You are trying to ring the bell in Forward or Reverse, the bell only operates in Neutral
unless you have programmed ProtoSounds to recognize a separate bell button
You are trying to operate the whistle in Neutral. The whistle will only operate in
Forward or Reverse unless you program ProtoSounds through Feature 25. See the
programming instructions starting on page 15.
You may be pressing the whistle button too quickly. Most older AC Transformers
contain a two-step whistle button that releases a DC signal onto the track. It is this
DC signal that tells the whistle to blow. However, because the signal is weaker
when the whistle button is depressed fully, the ProtoSound circuit may not recognize
the signal. Try pushing the button slower, taking approximately 1 second to fully
depress the button.
You may be pressing the whistle button too quickly. See the the third remedy in the
horn section above.
ProtoSounds must be programmed in order for a separate bell button to function.
Enter RESET function No. 20 (See the section "Using RESET To Program ProtoSounds"
on page 15) and press the whistle button until the unit sounds two bell dings. Simply
turn the throttle off and then on again to lock in the new setting.
You may be pressing the whistle button too quickly. See the third remedy in the
horn section above. Another possibility is that ProtoSounds has been programmed
to turn the coupler function off. See the section "Programming For Optional
ProtoCoupler Operation" on page 17.
Reduce the voltage on the transformer before pressing the whistle button to
activate the bell. The bell will only come on at 8 volts or less.
You are trying to ring the bell in "Reset" instead of neutral. Interrupt the power twice
to enter Neutral, set the voltage at 8 volts and press the whistle button to ring bell.
The power required to fire the coupler open when the engine is on the "Fly" may be
greater than the ProtoSound system is capable of providing. As a result, you may
experience times when the coupler won't fire open. Unfortunately, the only solution
is to stop the engine and fire the coupler in NEUTRAL rather than in Forward or
Reverse. If that doesn't resolve the problem, try lubricating the coupler knuckle and
rivet with light oil. See the coupler lubrication instructions on Page 13.
ENHANCED STEAM SOUNDS
REMEDY
Sometimes the enhanced sounds
don't play.
The enhanced steam sounds only occur in neutral. You may be in RESET when you
are expecting the sounds to play.
