Summary of Contents for MTHTrains PENNSYLVANIA K-4s
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OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS For 2 & 3-Rail Models Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains Pennsylvania K-4s Pacific Die-Cast 4-6-2 steam engine. This 1/4" scale reproduction of the famous Pennsy locomotive measures over 32 inches in length and weighs over 16 pounds. Despite its scale size it still operates on standard O-31 3-rail track with any compatible standard AC transformer, see page 24, and is completely compatible with most 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.
Table Of Contents QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION (2 and 3-Rail Models) SMOKE UNIT OPERATION PROTOSOUNDS™ OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS DCRU™ REVERSE UNIT OPERATION (All 3-Rail Models) WHISTLE OPERATION BELL OPERATION ENHANCED NEUTRAL STEAM SOUNDS SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE PASSENGER STATION ANNOUNCEMENT (PFA) ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING PASSENGER ANNOUNCEMENTS...
QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION The MTH Pennsylvania K-4s contains state-of-the-art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the K- 4s is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer. (See the compatiblity chart on page 25) The 2-rail model will operate with any DC power supply.
SMOKE UNIT OPERATION The K-4s contains a self-powered smoke units that output a steady stream of smoke through the smoke stack. The ON/OFF switch located next to the locomotive trailing truck must be in the ON position in order for the smoke unit to function. See Fig. 2. The smoke unit is essentially a small Smoke Unit heating element and wick which soaks up...
wick to soak up the smoke fluid resulting in poor or no smoke output. If that occurs, we recommend that you inspect and/or replace the wick taking care to not run the engine without fluid in the future. You can inspect the wick to see if it needs replacement by removing the smoke unit inspection cover as seen in Fig.4.
DCRU REVERSE UNIT OPERATION As mentioned in the Basic Operating section, the engine is controlled by a DCRU reverse unit that contains the standard forward-neutral-reverse states found on most reverse units. However, as described earlier, when power is first applied to the track, the reverse unit begins in RESET or what seems like a neutral state.
WHISTLE OPERATION Your K-4s engine is equipped with a digital recording of an articulated steam engine whistle. The whistle sound can be activated anytime the engine is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button on your transformer. The whistle will continue to blow as long as the whistle button is depressed.
SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS ProtoSounds is now equipped with operator controlled squeaking brake sounds. Once activated, this easy to use feature plays the sound of squeaking brakes whenever the transformer throttle is reduced from high voltage to low voltage simulating the application of the brakes as you enter curves or slow down for crossings and passenger stations.
throttling down. We recommend that after activating the brake feature, you run the engine at no less than 14 volts before throttling down to approximately 8 volts or less to ensure that the brake sounds occur. After activating the brake feature, whenever you stop the engine by either turning the Note: transformer throttle off or by entering neutral, the brake feature becomes disabled and must be reactivated using either of the two methods above.
leaving a train station. The sounds include public address arrival and departure messages, passenger disembarking and embarking sounds, conductor voices and general train station ambient sounds. Each is described in more detail in the following sections. ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING PASSENGER STATION ANNOUNCEMENTS Before PFA can be heard the feature must be activated first.
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) The operator now interrupts the transformer throttle again to enter the Event 3 (Reverse next reverse unit phase; reverse. In an effort to enhance realism, PFA has disabled the reverse phase so that it doesn’t power the motors and cause the engine to move backward.
TIPS ON USING THE PFA FEATURES PFA is a unique feature of ProtoSounds that is completely controlled by the operator. You decide how, when or if you want to utilize the feature. By reviewing following tips you should find solutions or suggestions to the various operating scenarios you might encounter when using PFA.
PROTO-COUPLER OPERATION Your K-4s locomotive has a coil-wound ProtoCoupler™ mounted on the tender for remote controlled coupler operation. Because it is controlled through ProtoSound’s microprocessor, it doesn’t require an uncoupling track section or modification to your layout to function. The ProtoCoupler can be activated with any compatible standard AC transformer equipped with a whistle button.
REPLACING THE PROTOSOUND BATTERY The battery, located in the engine’s tender (see the tender disassembly instructions on page 20), is a rechargeable NiCad type which is continually charged from the track when power is applied. NiCad batteries are a dry battery and should not leak or cause any damage to your locomotive and will last up to five years or longer.
USING “RESET” TO PROGRAM PROTOSOUNDS™ As mentioned earlier, there are several programmable options in each ProtoSound- equipped engine that can be remotely set from any compatible standard transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 25.
and pushing it a fourth time will give you no steam chuffing sounds. The microprocessor will immediately play the sound level each time the whistle button is pushed so that you can decide if it is acceptable. You can recycle through the four choices by simply continuing to press the whistle button.
repeat the above procedure but keep pressing the whistle button in Feature 25 until ProtoSounds only dings once instead of twice. Note: If you didn’t set the “Separate Bell Button Operation" in Feature 20 before setting the “Whistle In Neutral" option, then your bell will not function until you set the “Separate Bell Button"...
position, meaning it is not active when you first take the engine out of the box. This is done to prevent novice operators from accidentally locking their engines into forward, neutral or reverse and then mistakingly thinking that the engine’s electronics have failed. To activate the Remote Lockout Control setting, go to RESET Feature 40 (see the section entitled “Entering RESET Options”...
REVERSE UNIT LOCK-OUT OPERATION ProtoSound’s unique design eliminates the need for a lock-out switch on the locomotive by allowing the customer to lock the engine into any directional state (forward, neutral or reverse) from the transformer. This will allow users to run the engine on layouts equipped with block signals or stop stations which would normally cycle the engine back into neutral.
OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS (2 & 3-Rail Versions) In order for the engine to perform correctly and quietly, it is important that both the locomotive and tender be lubricated before operation. Lubrication should include all side- rods and linkage components to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and igure 9: Lubricating The Locomotive Chassis follow the lubrication points marked “L"...
TRACTION TIRE REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS Your K-4s locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires. While these tires are extremely durable and long-lasting there may arise a time where they will need to be replaced. Should this occur, you will need to remove the main side rod on the 6-wheel drive train in order to slip the new tire over the wheel.
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.
TRANSFORMER COMPATIBILITY AND WIRING CHART ProtoSounds™ is designed to work with any “Standard” AC transformer that uses a “Pure Sine-Wave” format. The chart below lists the many Lionel® compatible transformers, such as the Lionel KW and ZW models. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these compatible transformers should be attached to your layout.
PROTOSOUND RESET FEATURE CHART The following chart lists the available features found in your ProtoSound equipped engine. The default settings are listed for each feature as well as the operation of the feature. You can reset all features to their original factory settings by accessing Feature 18 in RESET and pressing and holding the transformer whistle button until you hear a soft, warbled bell sound.
SERVICE AND WARRANTY INFORMATION HOW TO GET SERVICE UNDER THE TERMS OF THE LIMITED ONE YEAR WARRANTY For warranty repair, do not return your product to the place of purchase. Instead, follow the instructions below to obtain warranty service as our dealer network is not prepared to service the product under the terms of this warranty.
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