Welcome Amtrak,
If you have the box or boxes that it came in, either as a set or an individual item, there will be item specific information. If it was a set this info will be on the side of the set box, if an individually purchased item it will be on the end flap of the box. Such as a desription, part #(30-xxxx-x), as well as the type of sound and/or control system. This part number will enable you to go to the MTH site and find the Owners Manual as stated earlier. In this manual it will tell you how to do a "Reset" using your MTH transformer if your loco has one of the protosound systems installed. If your part number ends in a -0 then your loco has what is called "Loco Sounds". I don't have any knowledge of the locosounds system. If you log on to the MTH site there is a link in the upper right hand corner of the screen, can't remember what it's labeled, but it will allow you to search by item number. Happy hunting.
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ben10ben wrote:A question for you guys who know MTH products.Could the problems which Amtrak describes by chance be caused by a battery that has run down? I know that dead batteries don't cause catastrophic failure in PS-2 engines, but it seems like I have heard of ones that refuse to run until the battery has sufficient charge. Amtrak, if that is indeed the case, you'll need to set up a stretch of track big enough for the engine, and just turn the power on and leave it for several hours. This will recharge the battery and should restore normal operation.
A question for you guys who know MTH products.
Could the problems which Amtrak describes by chance be caused by a battery that has run down? I know that dead batteries don't cause catastrophic failure in PS-2 engines, but it seems like I have heard of ones that refuse to run until the battery has sufficient charge. Amtrak, if that is indeed the case, you'll need to set up a stretch of track big enough for the engine, and just turn the power on and leave it for several hours. This will recharge the battery and should restore normal operation.
DITTO. I leave it on a track at full power for about one hour. Then cut power to the track and try to restart.
Jim H
Hey Amtrak..
Did you get your train to finally work? Give us an update on the status..I'm dying to know what happened. Did you let it charge up for a couple hours? Replace the battery??
I Charged it but that dident work the manual really help though I have to try it we i get home
Sorry fellas just wait a little longer.
Thanks
Amtrak,Anything else on this?Have you tried contacting your local LHS? There is one here that is very good with MTH stuff, but they like for you to bring in the item and set it on their test track. I have taken a number of my postwar Lionel stuff in for serving. Waiting to hear back from them as to when I can go pick up my Trolley, 2020 and 681...
If you have a good MTH dealer near you I would suggest taking the engine there and seeing if they can help you. They may even do the 9-volt replacement for you while you wait/watch.
The problem with your engine is probably that you start it up at a too high voltage. A proto-1 engine (and I guess it is one) needs to be fired up under 8 volts. Otherwise you'll be in reset mode.
Try a different transformer or just slightly tip the voltage lever into the operation area and wait 3 seconds. You should hear 1 bell and then the diesel starts to idle. After it has idled for a few seconds bring the voltage lever back to zero and gently power it up again. Don't hurry with that, proto 1 engines need a bit time for the relais to kick in.
I had exactly the same problem using my märklin transformers and they give 8-16 volts AC. The voltage when starting up was too high and I ended in reset mode. After installing a few rectifiers for the horn/bell to operate and a lighted lockon the problems where over.
Sorry, but was anyone else tickled by this juxtaposition?
Amtrak How to get train to move?
Oh come on..give the guy a break
I for one am interested on the outcome of this situation. It also shows me the folly of MTH products..
IT WORKS! finally! the manual said to reset the train and it works perfeclty!
Thank you all so much!!!
VERY glad to hear it! Good luck in the future, and again, welcome to the forum.
Glad to hear you got the train to work
When all else fails read the instructions Most of us electronic types seem to read as a last resort. I could not figure out why my MTH OSU train was not playing all of the sound bytes then in desperation I read the instructions and all was well after that.
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