DALLEE ELECTRONICS HOSTLER 2100 User manual

HOSTLER 2100
Operating Instructions with
remote inputs
Caution - Electrically operated product. Please read and follow
instructions to insure safe operation and handling.
Refer all service to Dallee Electronics, Inc.
246 W. Main St., Leola, PA 17540
[phone]
www.dallee.com

OVERVIEW
The HOSTLER 2100, an AC THROTTLE, is a
solid state, full feature design, momentum throttle
with conventional Whistle/Horn, Bell, and
Direction controls. The standard HOSTLER 2100
produces a variable AC output proportional to it's
input voltage. It is available with a maximum
currents of 3, 6, and 12 amperes. The HOSTLER
2100 is meant for a more deluxe operation of
your trains. It's designed to be panel mounted
utilizing either the fixed voltage from an existing
power transformer or from any other appropriate
power transformer. Dallee offers power
transformers to suit this need as well but they
need to be mounted and wired appropriately.
DESCRIPTION & LOCATION OF
COMPONENTS AND CONTROLS
On the face of the HOSTLER 2100 you will find
the main SPEED control in the center. Just above
that are 3 LED's. The left one is Green and
labeled "THROTTLE" to indicate power to the
HOSTLER 2100 unit. The top center LED is
Yellow and is labeled "TRACK". This LED will
illuminate from dim to brighter based upon the
amount of track voltage that is present set by the
"SPEED" control. To the right is the Red LED
labeled "OVERLOAD". This LED will only
illuminate when the unit has sensed an excess
current condition.
To the lower left is the "Direction" push button
followed by the "W", Whistle/Horn, push button
and last the Bell push button.
Moving to the rear of the HOSTLER 2100 PC
board you will find the power input/output barrier
strip (lower left hand corner) with four terminals.
The left two terminals are for the output to the
track. The right two are for the transformer input
power. These are labeled appropriately on the PC
board. The "HOT" input connects to the high of
the power transformer and the "C" connects to
the common. The output "HOT" is the main
power output and the "C" is the common output.
The output common is connected to the input
common on the board to ease wiring!
PANEL MOUNTING
The HOSTLER 2100 face also contains 4
mounting locations. One in each corner. These
are set for clearance of a #6 screw. The control
panel needs to be cut out to allow for the main
PC board to clear while allowing a lip for the rest
of the face plate to catch on the edge. There is a
template provided on the last sheet to provide for
simple mounting. The black objects are heat
sinks and will get warm during normal operation.
Care must be taken to allow for adequate
ventilation and electrically so that nothing comes
into contact with them or the main PC board or it's
components. When mounting, no power should
be present on the board or nearby to prevent
shorts from accidentally happening!
THROTTLE OPERATION
Operating the HOSTLER 2100 is quite unique in
that it's meant to give you a more realistic control
of your conventional AC train. To get started with
a wired and powered up unit, you can experiment
with how things work but first, read the full
explanation of things. The "SPEED" control is
quite obvious. If it is set full CCW, the output will
go to "0". When advanced, the output will
increase but at a delayed rate. This allows you to
set the throttle to a speed that you want your train
to achieve without gradually turning up the output
manually. It also prevents jack rabbit starts and
stops when using the "SPEED" control to do that!
Now here comes the more interesting part. When
you set the "SPEED" control to say 55 or so and
you want to sequence your engine (change the
direction to Neutral or Reverse), you can just
depress the Direction button for a moment. Upon
depressing it two things happen, first the output
voltage is immediately turned off for the duration
of the button press but secondly, the output
voltage is also reduced. This way you do not get
an instant jolt to your engine. The longer you hold
down the direction button, the further the output
voltage will be when the button is no longer
depressed. This makes for a very realistic
reversing of your train for not only series motors
but can motors as well! The key is you have to be
patient since the voltage can become too low to
start the engine up instantly but it will increase
steadily to your set voltage / "SPEED". It may
take a slight bit to get use to this but when you
do, you'll see how nice and easy it is to reverse
without moving the "SPEED" setting. Of course,
you don't want to be at a very high speed when
doing this since the output voltage is
instantaneously turned off upon depressing the
direction button (if your engine coasts, then it
doesn't matter).
Overload operation with the HOSTLER 2100 is
handled quite differently. When excessive current
flows either from a short circuit or too much
current being drawn by the train, the overload
sequence will start. First thing that happens is the
Red OVERLOAD indicator turns on. At the same
time, the output voltage to the track is set to zero
and Yellow LED is turned off since the output is
zero. The speed setting is also set to zero (even
though the actual SPEED control is set to what
you were running at). Next, there is a second or
so delay and then the Red LED is turned off and
the output is allowed to come back on but from
zero volts! The HOSTLER 2100 will continue to
cycle through the overload sequence until the
overload is cleared. If you know that you didn't
1

remove the problem, set the SPEED control to
zero until you do have the problem corrected.
This yields less stress on the throttle as well as
the wiring, track, and whatever is causing the
overload.
Next we'll cover the sound buttons. The
Whistle/Horn and Bell buttons, when pressed, are
set to create a detected DC shift of the AC track
power for most all sound systems. There is no
apparent change in track power when they are
depressed or both are depressed together!
Pressing both creates no change in output and
does not generate a signal for the sound system
to play a sound. We cannot guarantee that all will
respond but they all should. When the throttle is
set at a high speed setting, such as a setting of
70 or higher, the sound control signal is not as
strong as it is at slower speeds and some sound
systems may not react to it. You may have to
reduce your speed setting to something less to
have your sound system respond. The actual
train speed isn't very different from 70 to full
speed, so this should not be a problem. Plus, the
train is typically running way too fast at that
setting. We could have simply prevented the
output from getting so high, but since some
sound systems work at those speeds we elected
to leave it to the operator.
THROTTLE INPUT POWER
The HOSTLER 2100 operates with input voltages
from the standard 15 to 20 volts AC. The power
rating of the input transformer has to be at least
high enough to allow for proper overload
operation. It also needs to have a proper circuit
breaker in the event of catastrophic failure. Below
is a table showing minimum wattage
requirements. You can always use a higher
wattage transformer.
Output | Input: 15 V 18 V 20 V
Amps Watts Watts Watts
3 ...................... 45 ........... 54 ........... 60
6 ...................... 90 ........... 108 .......... 120
12 ..................... 180 .......... 216 .......... 240
Multiple HOSTLER 2100 throttles can be
connected to one power transformer but the
power transformer must be capable of handling
the total amount of current required. For example,
two 6 amp HOSTLER 2100's can be connected
to one power transformer as shown in the table
for one 12 amp throttle. Thus four 3 amp throttles
can be connected to one 12 amp power
transformer or two 3 amp and one 6 amp
HOSTLER 2100 can also be connected to one 12
amp power transformer. It is however much better
to operate one HOSTLER 2100 on it's own power
source. Also remember that the "C" (common)
connection is the same throughout. When
operating with multiple transformers and you want
a common type rail with all of the outputs
connected to the same common rail, connect the
common wire from the output terminal and not
before. Also, make sure that all of the power
transformers are properly phased before
connecting them together. This means that all of
them have to be connected the same way. When
using older power transformers from Lionel or
American Flyer, they should be plugged into a
power strip so that the power cords can be
marked once their proper phasing is achieved. To
check for proper phasing, connect two
transformers common / base post together. Then
connect them to the power source (120vAC). You
can either use a voltmeter or two light bulbs (18
volt) connected in series. Connect the meter
leads from one fixed 15/18 volt post of the one
transformer to the other transformer. If you read
any voltage (both transformers rated voltage
added together) or see the lamp light, they are
out of phase (see Fig 1 "V" for meter/lamp
placement). To phase them correctly, just unplug
the power cord of one transformer and replug it
back in. The light bulb will go out or the meter will
read next to or zero. If the transformers have a
slight difference in winding voltage you will read
that on the meter, or show dim lamps, but your
still in phase. Take a marker and mark the power
cord plugs to indicate the proper plugging of them
in case it has gets unplugged and then replugged
without checking.
The power transformer power to the Hostler-2100
cannot be from a modern electronically controlled
"fixed" output!
2
V
Fig 1 - phasing of transformers
common /
base post
fixed 15 - 18
vAC
Item #2118, an 18v, 12.5amp, 225 VA power
transformer for all AC operators, is also available.

3
Wiring:
When viewing from the back of the Hostler 2100, locate the wiring barrier strip on the lower right hand side. Using
appropriate wire gauge, connect the AC input power to the terminals to the left. The AC output power, which goes to the
track, to the two terminals on the right. The fixed AC, "HOT", input is labeled as a voltage on American Flyer transformers
and is similarly done so on Lionel type transformers. The "C" terminals are the "Common" input power which on
American Flyer transformers is labeled as the "Base Post". Lionel transformers label this as the "U" terminal, but that
varies so check your transformer to make sure your using the correct post. The "HOT" wire is normally connected to the
right rail on 2 rail type track and to the center rail for 3 rail track. This way the Whistle/Horn and Bell operation will match
the buttons. If they don't, reverse the wiring or train direction (for 2 rail operators).
Recommended minimum wire size for the Hostler 2100 is: 18AWG - 3 Amp, 16AWG - 6 Amp, 12AWG - 12 Amp.
To connect the wires to the barrier strip properly, strip the wire insulation back 1/4", insert the bare wire into the opening
and run the clamping screw CW to secure. DO NOT USE SOLID WIRE to connect to the barrier strip!
note for 3 rail operators: While not shown, it's always good to jumper the opposite outside rails together.
2 rail operators:
direction of travel for
proper W/H & B response
HOT
(fixed AC)
C
(Common)
Power
Transformer
14 to 20 Volts AC

Wiring of the remote inputs:
When viewing from the back of the Hostler 2100, locate the four pin connector (shown below). Plug the 4 pin wiring
harness that came with your remote input Hostler-2100 and wire as shown. If remote inputs are not used, tie off wire end
to keep it from contacting anything else!
Remote Input Connector
Whistle/Horn
Bell
"R" Run/Stop
#618 - momentary
push button
to fixed
16 - 20 vAC
to "C" and "R"
connections instead
of the toggle switch
"C" - Common
Example of connections for Remote Run/Stop to a #507 Display
Timer.
#507 - Display Timer
Push button
input
#512 - SPDT toggle
switch
4
(white)

Mounting Template : To clear the PC board when panel mounting, cut out the outer green opening as shown. The PC board is shown in the
hatch pattern. This is a 1:1 drawing, so it can be cut out of the instructions and taped to your panel. The panel mounting holes are for clearance of
a #6 screw. You can choose between using a wood screw or machine screw. The mounting holes are located 1/4" in from the edges.
A center punch used on the corners of the outer green area and mounting screw center locations is an easy way to tranfer the information from
the page to your panel.
Outlined in this box, on the back of the Hostler 2100 PC
board, are the large black heat sinks which and cannot
touch any other metal or electrical item. The number
and size of them varies as to which Hostler 2100 unit
you have. It's item # is shown on the PC board as well.
They also need to be free of obstruction to allow for
proper airflow since they do get quite warm during
handling high currents. The center one is also
electrically "hot" (meaning that it has a voltage present).
The front panel is electrically insulated from the
electronics.
5
Outlined in this box, on the back of the Hostler 2100 PC
board, are the large black heat sinks which and cannot
touch any other metal or electrical item. The number
and size of them varies as to which Hostler 2100 unit
you have. It's item # is shown on the PC board as well.
They also need to be free of obstruction to allow for
proper airflow since they do get quite warm during
handling high currents. The center one is also
electrically "hot" (meaning that it has a voltage present).
The front panel is electrically insulated from the
electronics.

6
Common practices / precautions:
1 - Never run an engine wired for DC track power on AC! You will damage the motor.
2 - Never connect a DC power to the input, it can only accept AC power!
3 - Never use a small gauge wire to connect to the Hostler 2100. A small gauge wire will get extremely hot and
possilby start a fire! Remember the recommended minimum wire size for the Hostler 2100 is: 18AWG - 3 Amp,
16AWG - 6 Amp, 12AWG - 12 Amp. Always use stranded wire to connect to the barrier strip on the Hostler 2100 and
connect the wires to the barrier strip properly, strip the wire insulation back 1/4", insert the bare stranded wire into
the opening and run the clamping screw CW to secure. DO NOT USE SOLID WIRE to connect to the barrier strip
since it will not properly connect!
4 - Never use common track power from multiple transformers unless they are phased correctly! Otherwise excessive
voltages will occur and may damage not only the Hostler 2100 but also your trains.
5 - Never use a "modern electronically controlled power transformer" output to power the Hostler-2100 since they do
not provide a pure AC since wave for an output! A standard AC power transformer with a circuit breaker should be
used.
6 - Always use a proper power transformer with a proper circuit breaker rated for higher than the output of the Hostler
2100 unit you purchased!
7 - When a short circuit / overload occurs, turn the "SPEED" control down (CCW) to "OFF". This helps to eliminate
excessive over currents from being presented to the track / load and from stressing the components on the unit.
The Hostler 2100 does automatically turn off the track power and reduces the output to zero when a second or so
has lapsed until it restarts trying to power the load but if the derailment / short has not been taken care of, it's
always better to just turn it's output off and restart your train after the problem has been rectified.
8 - When mounting to your panel, make sure that at least 2 or more inches of clearance is available from the black
heat sinks to the area around them.
9 - DO NOT allow any other metal object or wire come into contact with the items on the main PC board! The front
panel is of course electrically conductive since it is made of metal but it does not electrically connect to anything on
the PC board.
10 - DO NOT store or use the Hostler 2100 in damp or wet locations!
11 - remember, if your Whistle/Horn and Bell buttons operate opposite of what you want, reverse the wires to the track
or inside the engine (3 rail type engines should be wired to match the output of the Hostler 2100, if not, you should
rewire it to do so. Otherwise it will not match the rest of your engines. 2 rail operators are use to this since when
they place the engine on the track opposite of it's original direction, the sound control buttons will also reverse.)
12 - for best performance, keep your engine lubricated properly and it's wheels and pickup rollers (where applicable)
clean from dirt. While the Hostler 2100 operates mechanical as well as electronic "E" units, the smooth operation is
better with electronic "E" units since they engage into their direction earlier.
13 - If it becomes necessary to return your Hostler 2100 for repairs, please remember to package it properly and in a
box! But before doing so, check the connections to it and make sure you do have adequate voltage and power
connected to it. Inadequate power will prevent the Hostler 2100 from operating properly.
MTH proto users, please remember that the initial voltage needs to be low for the engine to start. Set the
"SPEED" to approximately "40" and wait for your sounds to start. Then you can proceed to using the
"DIRECTION" button to start the engine's movement and adjust the "SPEED" setting to that desired for
running the train.
To program, you need to raise the output voltage higher and then back it off. Remember that the output's
voltage has a delay in it's movement vs the "SPEED" setting.
The Hostler-2100 has been fully tested to properly operate all MTH versions.