User Guide

Because of size considerations a single 1.5 volt bulb may have
been used for a headlight or backup light. In this case, again
dependent on current draw of the bulb, you can generally use
about a 220 ohm 1/4 watt resistor in series with a single bulb for
satisfactory function with this sound / control system.
Each of the lighting outputs is designed for a 60 milliamp load
and should not exceed 120 milliamps or damage will occur to
the lighting output. The cumulative output should be less than the
total current capacity of the lighting regulator which is 1/2 Amp.
Should this 1/2 Amp capacity be exceeded the lamps may
become somewhat dimmed or the regulator itself may shut down.
If this situation occurs, it may be necessary to turn "off" one or
more of the lighting functions so the total current is less than the
1/2 Amp capacity.
MANUAL ADJUSTMENTS:
There are six switches and a volume
control on the small circuit board which should be mounted as
space permits and is still accessible. It is suggested that the
volume control be set at about the 10 o'clock position for
comfortable listening. High volume settings may prematurely
damage the speaker. This is especially true for EMD type prime
mover sound systems. The six switches are normally set to the
"off" position and select the following operations:
OFF ON
Switch 1 ---------- start in
forward .................... neutral
Switch 2 ---------- sequencing
normal .................. lock in start position
Switch 3 ---------- horn & bell
can sound ................. do not sound
Switch 4 ---------- forward coupler
operational .............. deactivated
Switch 5 ---------- rear coupler
operational .............. deactivated
Switch 6 ---------- forward direction is to locomotive
front .......................... rear
Switches 3 thru 6 are used primarily when two or more
locomotives are operated together. You can turn off the horn and
bell in the trailing locomotives and deactivate the couplers
between locomotives so that only the couplers at the front and
rear are operational. If any of the locomotives are actually facing
to the rear, Switch 6 on such locomotives allows operation in
concert with other locomotives facing forward. When Switch 6
changes forward to rear all directional functions such as
headlights, marker lights and couplers are switched also. If you
are not using the coupler functions, switches 5 and 6 should be
set ON to turn off the coupler sound and activation.
OPERATION USING A TRANSFORMER:
With this sound /
control system installed, your locomotive will operate in the same
manner as other locomotives when using a transformer to vary
speed. When power is applied the locomotive will come "on" in
either the forward or neutral position as you have selected.
Momentary interuptions of power will allow the locomotive to
sequence through the usual direction positions. Sequencing can
be accomplished either by a direction switch or by turning the
speed control to "off" and then back "on".
Power interuptions for direction sequencing should be
momentary only. If power remains "off" for more than a short time
it is possible that the stored energy will be used up and the sound
/ control system will shut down. When power then returns the
system will come "on" in its initial start position. If you prefer to
employ a battery back up to maintain sound during more
extended power "off" situations, provisions are there to connect a
rechargable 9 volt (8.4 volt actual) battery (item 647).
If your transformer includes whistle or bell controls, or if you have
provided sound activation buttons, you will be able to sound the
horn or the bell with these controls whenever there is power to
the track. The horn will sound as long as you hold the control
"on". The bell control is a push "on", push "off".
An added feature of this sound / control system involves the way
the motor is driven. If track power is set high while in neutral and
you sequence to a direction, the locomotive will gradually
increase its speed rather than jump directly to the high speed.
This type of operation not only looks better but also results in less
strain on the entire motor / gear drive system and is less likely to
cause derailments of the locomotive or its train.
The LocoMatic™ controller contains ten operating buttons and is
usable either in conjunction with your regular transformer or as an
independent control with a fixed voltage applied to the track. The
LocoMatic™ controller is a pass through type of device which is
wired between your transformer and the track. It will not interfere
with track power passing through it when not in use (you do not
have to disconnect it for operating standard type trains). Some of
the buttons cause activation as long as they are held "on" while
others work in a push-on, push-off mode. A pause of a few
seconds is required between pushes. The lower right hand
button, labled 'ALT', is the alternate button which provides a
second function to each of the other nine buttons. When using an
alternate function it is suggested that the ALT button be held
depressed and then another button be pressed. For example;
pressing the COUPLER button will operate the trailing coupler
while pressing ALT / COUPLER will operate the leading coupler.
Not all of the buttons will have alternate functions on all
locomotives.
The ten LocoMatic™ controller buttons perform the following:
BELL .............................. turns bell "on" or "off"
ALT / BELL ..................... restores automatic directional lighting
Note: lighting is directional until a request is
made via the LocoMatic™ controller for a
manual activation. Lighting functions will then
remain manual via the LocoMatic™ controller.
Pressing ALT / BELL will allow all lighting
functions to return to directional operation at
the next direction request.
HEADLIGHT ................... turns front headlight "on" or "off"
ALT / HEADLIGHT ......... turns rear headlight "on" or "off"
MARKERS ..................... turns front marker lights "on" or "off"
ALT / MARKERS ............ turns rear marker lights "on" or "off"
AUX ............................... turns front aux lights "on" or "off"
ALT / AUX ...................... turns rear aux lights "on" or "off"
COUPLER ...................... activates the locomotive's trailing
coupler
ALT / COUPLER ............ activates the locomotive's leading
coupler
HORN ............................. activates the horn
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