PS 3.0 Enhancements
Here are some of the exciting changes incorporated into your new MTH Proto-
®
Sound 3.0 Locomotives. More advanced features such as Custom Speed Tables
and Advanced Consisting can be found in the DCC section of this manual.
Conventional (Analog) AC/DC Start-up/Shut-down
Your new MTH PS3.0-equipped locomotive no longer has batteries. It uses Super
Capacitors to hold the engine board alive for a short time when you shut off or
interrupt track power. Because of this, when you first apply track power to your
PS3.0-equipped O Gauge engine, you will notice the headlight comes on but
nothing else. This is perfectly normal. The capacitors are charging up during this
time. The wait time depends upon how long it’s been since you last applied
power to the engine. Typically it will take 1-15 seconds to fully charge. NOTE:
The 1-15 second charging wait time ONLY applies to conventional AC track
power.
Once the headlight shuts off, the engine will play its start-up sounds and all the
lights will come back on, simultaneously. Smoke too if you have it turned on.
The capacitors hold enough charge to play the full shut-down sounds. Also, the
capacitors allow you to operate your engine in conventional mode just like you
would any other conventionally-controlled engine. Finally, because there are no
batteries, you will notice there is no external charge jack on the engine.
DCS/DCC Switch
Your MTH PS3.0-equipped engine has a DCS/DCC selector switch (located on
the underside of the tender in steam engines). To operate the engine in DCS
mode, ensure the switch is set to DCS. If you wish to run the engine in DCC
mode, ensure the switch is set to DCC.
If you inadvertently leave the switch in DCC it won’t hurt anything, you just
won’t be able to communicate with your engine with your DCS system. Likewise,
if you leave the switch in DCS and try to operate the engine under DCC you
may notice a humming coming from your engine and you will likely notice that
your DCC system’s overload light will be on.
Programming Track (for DCC operation)
Your MTH PS3.0-equipped O Gauge engine can function on Programming Track
outputs from DCC systems. Most DCC systems can support the current
requirements of the engine as long as it’s not started up. If you plan on powering
up the MTH engine on your programming track, you may want to consider a
DCC Programming Track Booster.
Loading Engine Firmware
Lionel Corporation No. 255, 260 & 263 Steam Engines with Proto-Sound® 3.0
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