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16

Premier E8 ABA Diesel Engine

Troubleshooting Proto-Sound

®

 2.0 Problems

Although Proto-Sound 2.0 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 (telephone: 410-381-2580; fax:
410-423-0009; e-mail: service@mth-railking.com; mail: 7020 Columbia
Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).

Starting Up

Horn

Bell

Coupler

Remedy

Remedy

Remedy

Remedy

Remedy

When I first turn the power on, the 
engine will not begin to run.  I have to 
turn the throttle off and then on again 
to get the engine to operate.

When I press the whistle button, the 
bell comes on instead.

I can’t get the horn to blow when I 
press the whistle button.

I can’t get the bell to ring when I press 
the bell button.

The bell won’t work on a separate bell 
button.

When I try to fire the coupler, PSA 
starts.

The Proto-Coupler won’t let the engine 

uncouple on the fly.

When I press the whistle button, the 
bell sounds.

Reverse the transformer leads.

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.

Reverse the transformer leads.

Check the wiring of the separate 

button.

You are waiting too long between 
whistle button presses.

Try lubricating the coupler knuckle 
with a dry graphite lubricant. Do NOT 
use oil.

This is normal behavior.  To prevent 
accidental high-speed start-ups, Proto-
Sound 2.0 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.

Summary of Contents for PREMIER E8 ABA DIESEL ENGINE

Page 1: ...le with most other 3 rail locomotives rolling stock and accessories This locomotive is equipped with Proto Sound 2 0 with Digital Command System DCS This new system will allow you to operate your loco...

Page 2: ...ontrol 8 Lock into a Direction State 9 Reset to Factory Defaults 9 Automatic Sounds 9 Maintenance 10 ProtoSmoke Unit Operation 10 Lubrication and Greasing Instructions 12 Cleaning the Wheels Tires and...

Page 3: ...Add 15 20 drops of smoke fluid through the front smokestack see Fig 3 on pg 10 then gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air bubbles in the fluid 3 If you choose not to prime the unit with flui...

Page 4: ...from the time you turn it on until you press and release the button again to turn it off Direction Your train is programmed to start in neutral The first direction after neutral upon start up is forw...

Page 5: ...ructions thoroughly before using Proto Sound 2 0 features in order to prevent harm to yourself or your equipment Activating Proto Sound 2 0 Conventional Mode Features Proto Sound 2 0 features are acti...

Page 6: ...equence of PSA The reverse unit is temporarily disabled so that the train will not move as you use the Direction button to trigger the sounds and Proto Sound 2 0 has disabled operator control over the...

Page 7: ...e engine to run the PSA Otherwise the engine without PSA will begin vibrating on the track as its motors strain to move the train since they cannot be automatically disabled during the PSA cycle If th...

Page 8: ...ound curves much like an automobile cruise control You can add or drop cars on the run and the engine will maintain the speed you set While the engine is programmed to start with the speed control fea...

Page 9: ...orn 3 bells code to return the engine to its normal state even if the engine is kept without power for extended periods of time Reset to Factory Defaults To override the settings you currently have as...

Page 10: ...rough the front smokestack see Fig 3 We recommend M T H ProtoSmoke Seuthe LGB or LVTS fluids Do not overfill the unit or the fluid may leak out and coat the interior engine components If you choose no...

Page 11: ...he heating element Remove the smoke unit inspection cover from the locomotive s body see Fig 5 After removing the chassis and inspection cover screws lift the inspection plate away and inspect the wic...

Page 12: ...ear box remove the cab from the chassis by unscrewing the chassis screws as seen in Figure 7 and lifting the cab from the chassis 2 Once the cab is removed remove the trucks by unscrewing the black Ph...

Page 13: ...e grooved drive wheel See Fig 7 for which screws you must remove to do this Once the truck sides have been removed 1 Make sure the old tire has been completely removed from the groove in the drive whe...

Page 14: ...are available directly from the M T H Parts Department phone 410 381 2580 e mail parts mth railking com mail 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive Columbia MD 21046 1532 Headlight Replacement Instructions The l...

Page 15: ...he engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 12 volts for 15 minutes If the garbled or distorted sounds are reduced the battery charge has run down and can be recharged Do this by leaving the e...

Page 16: ...ll to ring when I press the bell button The bell won t work on a separate bell button When I try to fire the coupler PSA starts The Proto Coupler won t let the engine uncouple on the fly When I press...

Page 17: ...ked into the neutral position Follow the procedure in the Lock into a Direction section Engine speed must be below 10 scale mph approx 10 volts or less in conventional mode Proto Sound 2 0 volume is s...

Page 18: ...tor cycles through the PSA sequences PSA is programmed to start ringing the bell at that point After approximately 12 rings of the bell it will automatically turn off Because PSA must control various...

Page 19: ...andard Lionel 1043M U A 5 16v 90 Watt Standard Lionel 1044 U A 5 16v 90 Watt Standard Lionel 1053 U A 8 17v 60 Watt Standard Lionel 1063 U A 8 17v 60 Watt Standard All Trol Left Terminal Right Termina...

Page 20: ...h engine outputs and matches smoke to locomotive speed Locomotive Lighting Control Controls locomotive headlights marker and interior lights beacon lights ditch lights and MARS lights Emergency Stop S...

Page 21: ...etermine locomotive values for consist make ups allowing multiple locomotives belonging to a consist to operate together Query Locomotive Information User can query locomotive programming to learn loc...

Page 22: ...ions should be followed including the following Read this manual thoroughly before using this device M T H recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer periodica...

Page 23: ...______________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ _____...

Page 24: ...tacting M T H for your Return Authorization number 3 Please make sure you have followed the instructions carefully before returning any merchandise for service Limited One Year Warranty All M T H prod...

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