MTHTrains EMD FP-45 Operating Instructions Manual
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MTHTrains EMD FP-45 Operating Instructions Manual

Diesel locomotive
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E L E C T R I C
T R A I N S
R
EMD FP-45 DIESEL
LOCOMOTIVE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains EMD FP-45 diesel engine. This 1/4" scale
reproduction of the famous EMD roadhorse measures more than 18 inches in length and
weighs almost 6 pounds. Despite its scale size and intricate detailing, it can operate for years
on O-31 3-Rail track with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the chart on page 25)
and is completely compatible with most 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and accessories. If you
purchased the 2-rail model, the engine should negotiate 36 inch radius curves and is
completely compatible with any DC power source.
The locomotive is equipped with several deluxe features that are simple and fun to operate.
Each feature is described among the following pages which should be read before the engine is
operated. For those of you who can't wait to get started, the Quick Start Basic Operating
Instructions found on Pages 3 and 4 should be read so that you understand the basics of the
operating system. Those features marked for 2 and 3-rail are found in all model types.
Features not marked as such are only available in the 3-rail ProtoSound equipped models.

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Summary of Contents for MTHTrains EMD FP-45

  • Page 1 LOCOMOTIVE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS Thank you for purchasing the MTH Electric Trains EMD FP-45 diesel engine. This 1/4" scale reproduction of the famous EMD roadhorse measures more than 18 inches in length and weighs almost 6 pounds. Despite its scale size and intricate detailing, it can operate for years on O-31 3-Rail track with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the chart on page 25) and is completely compatible with most 3-rail locomotives, rolling stock and accessories.

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table Of Contents QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION (2 And 3-Rail Models) PROTOSOUNDS™ OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS DCRU™ REVERSE UNIT OPERATION (All 3-Rail Models) HORN OPERATION BELL OPERATION SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE SOUNDS TIPS ON USING THE SQUEAKING BRAKE FEATURE FREIGHT YARD SOUND EFFECTS (FYS) ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS TIPS ON USING THE FYS FEATURES...

  • Page 3: Quick Start - Basic Operation (2 And 3-Rail Models)

    QUICK START - BASIC OPERATION The MTH FP-45 contains state-of-the art electronics with several built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic operation. Despite these advanced features, the 3-rail FP-45 is easy to operate with any compatible standard AC transformer (see the compatibility chart on page 25).
  • Page 4 SMOKE UNIT OPERATION The FP-45 contains a self-powered smoke unit that outputs a steady stream of smoke through the smoke stack on the roof of the engine. The ON/OFF switch located next to the leading drive truck must be in the ON position in order for the smoke unit to function. See Fig.

  • Page 5: Protosounds™ Operating Instructions

    SMOKE UNIT MAINTENANCE CAUTION: Operating the engine without smoke fluid and with the smoke unit switch in the ON position can damage your smoke unit wick, causing the wick to become hard, blackened and unabsorbant around the heating element. When this occurs, it may be difficult for the wick to soak up the smoke fluid resulting in poor or no smoke output.

  • Page 6: Dcru™ Reverse Unit Operation (All 3-Rail Models)

    DCRU™ REVERSE UNIT AND PROTOSOUNDS OPERATION(All 3-Rail Models) 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.

  • Page 7: Horn Operation

    HORN OPERATION Your EMD FP-45 ProtoSound-equipped engine is equipped with a digital recording of a EMD horn. The horn sound can be activated anytime the engine is in forward or reverse by pressing the whistle button on your transformer. The horn will continue to blow as long as the whistle button is depressed.

  • Page 8: Squeaking Brake Sounds

    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.

  • Page 9: Tips On Using The Squeaking Brake Feature

    Once the brake feature is activated and the engine is running, it is possible that the Note: brake sounds may not occur if the transformer throttle setting is not set high enough before 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.

  • Page 10: Activating And Triggering Freight Yard Sounds

    ACTIVATING AND TRIGGERING FREIGHT YARD SOUNDS Before FYS can be heard the feature must be activated first. Activation is accomplished by holding down the bell button for three or more seconds as described in the Activating and Triggering The Squeaking Brake Sounds section found earlier on page 6 Once the squeaking brake feature is activated, FYS will be played the next time the engine enters the neutral position.
  • Page 11 Event 3: (Reverse) The operator now interrupts the transformer throttle again to enter the next reverse unit phase; reverse. In an effort to enhance realism, FYS has disabled the reverse phase so that it doesn’t power the motors causing the engine to move backward. Upon entering reverse, FYS confirms to the operator that it has entered the reverse phase by immediately playing a highlight sound best described as a rumbling sound.

  • Page 12: Tips On Using The Fys Features

    TIPS ON USING FYS FEATURES FYS 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 the following tips, you should find solutions or suggestions to the various operating scenarios you might encounter when using FYS.

  • Page 13: Proto-Coupler Operation

    PROTO-COUPLER OPERATION Your EMD FP-45 ProtoSound-equipped locomotive has two coil-wound ProtoCouplers™ for remote uncoupling action. The couplers are mounted on the power trucks. Because the ProtoCoupler is controlled through ProtoSound’s microprocessor, it doesn’t’t require an uncoupling track section or modification to your layout to function. The three simple steps below are required to operate the coupler.

  • Page 14: Protosound™ Volume Adjustment

    transformer is shut off, the battery may be going bad. Before replacing the battery, you should put the engine in NEUTRAL and leave the transformer throttle at about 12 volts for fifteen minutes. This should temporarily recharge the battery. If the garbled or distorted sounds are reduced, then your battery charge has worn down.

  • Page 15: Using "Reset" To Program Protosounds

    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 AC transformer equipped with a whistle button. For a list of compatible transformers, see the chart on page 25.

  • Page 16: Programming For A Separate Bell Button Controller

    Once you have decided on the appropriate volume level, turn the transformer throttle off and on again or press the transformer direction switch to lock in your selection. The volume adjustment will remain set at the level you have chosen until you change it again. Regardless of the engine volume setting, the horn, bell, compressor and Cab Chatter sounds will function normally.

  • Page 17: Programming For Horn In Neutral Operation

    PROGRAMMING FOR HORN IN NEUTRAL OPERATION If you are operating your engine with a separate bell button and want to blow your horn when your engine is in neutral, you will need to program ProtoSounds to do so as the factory setting only allows the horn to blow in forward or reverse.

  • Page 18: Programming For Squeaking Brakes And Fys Operation

    dings (signifying that the ProtoCoupler option has been turned off). Simply turn the transformer throttle off and then on again to lock in the new setting. PROGRAMMING FOR SQUEAKING BRAKES AND FYS OPERATION ProtoSounds™ is equipped with a RESET setting to turn off the Squeaking Brakes and Freight Yard Proto-Effects (FYS) features.

  • Page 19: Reverse Unit Lock-Out Operation

    Program ProtoSounds™ on page 15). Once in Feature 18, press the transformer whistle button and wait for ProtoSounds to sound a garbled bell sound. 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.

  • Page 20: Oil & Lubrication Instructions

    OIL & LUBRICATION INSTRUCTIONS In order for the engine to perform correctly and quietly, it is important that the chassis be lubricated before operation. Lubrication should include all truck block bushings and pickup rollers to prevent them from squeaking. Use light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L"...

  • Page 21: Traction Tire Replacement Instructions

    In addition to the truck block internal gearing, it is a good idea to lubricate the outside truck block “idler" and “drive" gears with grease. Use the diagram shown in Fig. 7. above as a guide and add grease to the points marked with a “G". Periodically, check the locomotive wheels and pickups for dirt buildup as this can significantly affect the engine’s ability to perform properly.

  • Page 22: Trouble Shooting Protosound™ Problems

    TROUBLE SHOOTING PROTOSOUND™ PROBLEMS Although ProtoSound™ 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, 410-381-2580) for additional assistance.
  • Page 23 I can’t get the engine to run after I power up the transformer. It sits still with the diesel The engine is locked out into the Neutral position. Follow the unlocking proceedures in compressor sounds running. the Lockout Section. You are waiting too long to turn the throttle back on after the short horn blast sounds. The power must be turned back on immediately after the short horn blast sounds or the The engine won’t lock out into Forward, Neutral or Reverse even after the short horn engine will go back into RESET.
  • Page 24 BRAKE SOUND PROBLEMS REMEDY The brake features has not been activated. See the section on activating the brake feature for more information.The throttle voltage setting on the transformer is either not starting high enough When the transformer is throttled down, the sounds won’t play. or ending low enough to trigger the brakes sounds.

  • Page 25: Transformer Compatibility And Wiring Chart

    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 or ZW models. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these compatible transformers should be attached to your layout.

  • Page 26: Protosound Reset Feature Chart

    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.

  • Page 27: Service And Warranty Information

    O-27 OPERATION While the MTH GP-30 diesel is more than capable of operating on O-27 curves and switches, you may find that certain light freight cars are prone to derailing when being pulled or pushed by the MTH GP-30 through O-27 switches. Should this occur, we suggest adding weight to the cars making them heavier and less likely to derail.

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