G-Scale Graphics APTC Specification sheet

Page
Revision C: Updated 8/18/2021
Operation and Installation Manual
G-Scale Graphics
5860 Crooked Stick Dr.
Windsor, CO 80550
70-581-3567
[e-mail]
www.GScaleGraphics.net
Revision A: Updated 8/18/2021

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Overview
All Purpose Train Control
(APTC)
APTC is designed for unattended op-
eration in public displa s, where either
the viewer can start the train with the
push of a button, or the train will start
automaticall at timed intervals. Once
running, the train can do automated
station stops at random intervals via a
track mounted reed switch and loco
mounted magnet. The running session
will end with a stop at the station upon
time out. Programmable user parame-
ters allow for man different modes of
operation. Manual speed control is
alwa s available for setup at the
event, or operator intervention in case
of a disaster. The APTC as a great
track throttle for use indoors or out.
APTC is a track throttle than goes be-
tween an external power source (DC Power Suppl , Train Power Pack, or Batter ) and the track. It controls the
speed of the train, making automated station stops with smooth stops and starts. No “Jack Rabbit” starts and
stops, that are hard on gears.
Applications
The APTC can be used in a number of wa s …
At Home or Train Shows
Manual track power control with automated station stops or back 'n forth trolle line. Use the Max Speed feature to
limit speed when children are at the controls.
 Manual speed control with user programmable momentum
 Automated Random Station Stops via track mounted reed switches and magnets on locos
 Back 'n Forth Trolle operation via track mounted reed switches and magnets on locos
 User Programmable minimum and maximum speed settings
 Direction change locked out until train is stopped to prevent gear damage
 Emergenc Stop button
Commercial Applications
Automated Starts/Stops - Restaurants, Kid’s Dental Offices, or other retail t pe of environments where ou ma
want to run trains automaticall at programmed intervals. Run X times per hour for X minutes per run, or just
make one lap.
When running on a loop of track, ou can add automated station stops for variet , using track mounted reed
switches and a magnet on the loco. Tangent track can be used for back and forth trolle t pe of operation.
Interactive Displays
User initiated Starts/Auto Stops - Viewer presses a hardwired button (or an optional wireless button) to start the
train. Train runs for X minutes or one lap, with or without station stops. The train onl runs when viewers are pre-
sent. It can also be started via an optional motion detector. When the visitors leave, or get tired of pla ing, the
train will stop.
The APTC Board

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How it Works ...
Starting the train
In all operating modes the train is either started b pressing the Start Button (or Start input) or automaticall b the
programmed Interval Timer.
Start Button
Speed will ramp up at the rate set b the Accel Parameter to the current speed setting of the Speed Pot:
Start Button - Momentar press
Start Input - Momentar contact closure to COM
or a Motion Detected at a PIR sensor connected to the Start Input
Wireless Start Button - Momentar press
Stop Button
Station Stops ...
A momentar contact closure at the Stop Input b a track mounted reed switch and magnet on the loco (or a mo-
mentar Stop button press) will initiate a Station Stop. Speed will ramp down at the rate set b the Accel Parame-
ter to minimum speed, wait for the time period set b the Station Stop Time Parameter, and then ramp back up to
the current speed setting of the Speed Pot.
Emergenc Stop ...
Holding the Stop button or contact closure for more than 1/2 second at an time will initiate a quick stop.
Speed Pot
Adjust the speed pot at an time to change the speed setting. While running, speed will change at the Speed Pot
Accel rate. If changed while stopped, speed will accelerate to the new setting upon start.
Direction Button
A momentar press of the Direction button during a stop will cause the direction to change.
Max Speed Setting - While running at greater than 50% speed, hold down the direction button (LED will turn
OFF). While holding the button down, set the desired maximum speed. Release the button to save.
Station Stop Speed Setting - Max Speed Setting can also be used to get repeatable station stops at the desired
spot, without having to readjust the speed setting each time ou run.
Min Speed Setting - While running at less than 50% speed, hold down the direction button (LED will turn OFF).
Track Out
Speed Adjust
Power In
7-25 VDC
Programming
Local Controls
Wireless
Receiver
Remote
Controls
Motor Driver
Micro
Controller

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While holding the button down, set the desired minimum speed. Release the button to save.
Program Button
A momentar press at an time will enter program mode and cause an emergenc stop if pressed while running.
In program mode, the LED will blink the Option Code of the Parameter currentl selected b the DIP switch. A
momentar button press after the code will increment the Option Code. When the desired option has been
reached, hold down the Program Button for about 3 seconds until the LED starts flashing rapidl , indicating the
new option has been saved. Change more options b changing the DIP switch to the desired parameter, and re-
peat above. To exit program mode, power down and restart.
LED
Power: LED should be ON when power is applied.
Diagnostics: LED will turn OFF while a button is pressed: Start, Stop, Dir
LED will turn OFF while the Start input, or Stop input goes low (connected to common).
Programming: LED will turn start blinking Option Codes when the Program button is pressed.
LED will flash rapidl while the Program button is held down to save the option.
While Running ...
Automated station stops can be done using a track mounted reed switch, and a magnet located on the locomo-
tive. When the loco passes over the reed switch, a station stop will be performed as programmed b Station Stop
Percentage Parameter 2; i.e. it will onl stop a certain percentage of the time, or with the use of two reed switch-
es, one at each end of a track, and Parameter 2 Option 6, it will run in back and forth trolle mode.
Stopping the train
A running train can be stopped automaticall after running for One Lap or after a Time Period of X minutes (See
Run Mode Parameter 3.) If a station stop reed switch in used, the train will stop at the station and wait for the next
start command. Otherwise it will just stop wherever it is when time runs out.
The train can also be stopped at an time b holding down the Stop Button.
Installation
Power Input
Power input to the APTC can be an DC power source, 7-25 VDC, connected to the Vin +,- terminals. The most
economical and best power source is an industrial power suppl ; e.g. the Meanwell LRS-150-24, which is rated
for 24 VDC, 6.5 amps, and can be purchased on-line for around $19.
You can also use an train power
pack with suitable voltage and cur-
rent ratings, b setting the throttle for
up to 25 VDC max.
Track Output
Connect the “Track Out” terminals to
the track. The APTC output is rated
for up to 10 amps. Output voltage will
be determined b the power input
source and the speed pot on the
APTC. Voltage can be adjusted from
0 to 100% of the power input voltage.
To change the direction the train runs
at power up, swap the Track Out
wires.
Remote Controls
Remote Start Pushbutton - Con-
nect a momentar push button, nor-
mall open, across the Start and
Com terminals. Momentar contact closure initiates a start.
Track Mounted Reed Switch - Connect this to the Stop and Com terminals to initiate an automated station stop.
Motion Detector - An optional PIR Motion Detector Module can be used to start the train when a visitor’s pres-

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ence is detected. Connect PIR(IN+) to APTC(SS), PIR(Out) to APTC(Start), PIR(IN-) to APTC(Com).
Wireless Start Button - This optional button transmits a start command to the APTC’s internal receiver.
Wireless Track Reed Switch - Connect the track mounted reed switch to this module to eliminate long wire runs
between the track reed switch and the APTC. This module can be powered from track connections or a 9V batter
(A 200mah 9V batter will last for approximatel 30 da s). It transmits a stop command to the APTC. Its LED
should turn ON when the track switch is activated b a magnet.
The green APTC LED will blink OFF whenever a start or stop command is received, whether it is hardwired or
wireless.
The red LED on the APTC wireless receiver will turn ON whenever a wireless signal is detected.
Linking Wireless Start Button and Wireless Track Switch to the APTC
This will be done prior to shipping, but in the event these devices are not working,
ou should follow this procedure.
The wireless receiver inside the APTC has a button on it. Press the button once and wait for LED to turn ON.
Then either press the Remote Start Button, or activate the Track Mounted Switch with a magnet to complete the
link.
Wireless Track
Mounted Reed
Wireless
Start Button
Motion
Detector

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Mag
net
IN+
Out
IN-
Motion SensorTrack Reed Switch
Remote Start Switch
Start
Com
Start
SS (+5V from APTC)
Com
Com
Stop
+
-
T
T
Power Suppl
7-25 VDC In
To Track
(10 Amps Max)
All Purpose Train Control
Wiring Diagram
Wireless
Track
Reed Switch
APTC
Track Power In
Reed Switch
T
T
S
S

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User Programming via the DIP Switch & Push Button
Operating parameters of the APTC can be modified to meet our individual needs.
User configurable parameters can be programmed using the 4-position DIP switch, the on-board push-button next
to the DIP switch, and the on-board LED. The DIP switch selects the parameter to be programmed, and the LED
flashes the currentl selected option. See the programming chart following this discussion for specific instructions.
Parameter 0
Accel/Decel Rate
The time it takes to accelerate to running speed after a start, or decelerate to a full stop.
Parameter 1
Station Stop Time
The elapsed time spent from a full stop at the station to departure.
Parameter 2
Station Stop Percentage
This adds randomness to the operation. The train will onl stop at the station X % of the time.
Option 6 is Back ‘n Forth Trolle mode. This requires a reed switch at each end of the track! In this case, our
trolle /train will reverse at each end of the run after crossing the reed switch connected in parallel to the Stop in-
put.
Parameter 3
Run Mode
Train will run for X minutes until it times out.
One Lap: Requires a station stop reed switch! Upon start, train will leave the station, make one lap, returning to
the station. Option 5 can be used for Continuous Running (no time out).
Parameter 4
Auto Start Interval Timer
Sets the amount of time between automated starts; e.g. if set for 60 minutes, the train will start running ever 60
minutes, and run until it either times out or completes one lap, depending on our setting in Parameter 3.
Parameter 5
Speed Pot Momentum
Determines the response time when changing speed via the speed setting pot (Potentiometer/knob). This simu-
lates the slow response of a train due to throttle changes.
Changing the Min or Max Speed Settings-
You ma want to limit the maximum speed to prevent children from over speeding our trains. The minimum
speed setting is useful to eliminate dela s in starting. If the min speed is 0, and our loco doesn’t start moving un-
til 10% speed, there will be a dela between the time a start command is given and actual train movement.
While running at an speed, holding down the DIR button for more than 3 seconds will cause the LED to turn OFF
and restore the full speed setting range. While ou continue to hold down the DIR button, set either the desired
Min or Max speed with the speed pot. Release the DIR button to save the setting.
If ou are running at less than 50% speed, a new Minimum speed will be saved. If greater than 50%, a new Maxi-
mum speed will be saved.

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User configurable parameters can be programmed using the 4-position DIP switch, the on-board push-button next
to the DIP switch, and on-board LED.
Enter Programming Mode
Press the Program button. The LED will begin flashing the option code of the selected parameter.
Select Parameter
Select the parameter ou wish to view or program using the DIP switch. (the white square indicates position of the
switch; e.g. for parameter 0, all switches are in the down or off position.
View Current Option Code
The LED will repeatedl flash the option code for the currentl selected parameter; e.g. two flashes followed b a
pause indicates option 2.
Change the Option Code
Momentaril press the push-button during the pause to advance the option to the next higher number, until ou
get the desired number of flashes.
Save the Option Code
During the pause between code flashes, press and hold down the Program button for about 4 seconds until the
LED starts flashing rapidl , which indicates the save is complete.
Select the next Parameter
Repeat the above as needed to view or make changes to other parameters using the DIP switch to select.
Exit Programming Mode
Turn off power. The new settings will take effect at next power up.
All Purpose Train Control
User Programming
Option
Parameter 5 -
Speed Pot
Momentum
1 Fastest Response
2 Fast
3 Medium
4 Slow
5 Slowest Response
Factory settings
The number of LED flashes indicates the
Option Number for the Parameter selected
b the DIP switch.
Option
Parameter 0 -
Accel/Decel
Rate
1 Fastest
2 Fast
3 Medium
4 Slow
5 Slowest
Option
Parameter 1 -
Station Stop
Time
1 5 Secs
2 10 Secs
3 15 Secs
4 20 Secs
Option
Parameter 3 -
Run Mode
1 1 Min Time Out
2 2 Mins Time Out
3 5 Mins Time Out
4 10 Mins Time Out
5 Continuous Running
6 One Lap & Stop
(At least one Reed Switch Re-
quired)
Option
Parameter 4 -
Auto Start
Interval Timer
1 Disabled
2 15 Mins
3 20 Mins
4 30 Mins
5 60 Mins
Option
Parameter 2 -
Station Stop
Percentage
1 100%
2 75%
3 50%
4 25%
5 0% - Disabled
6 Back ‘n Forth Trolle Mode
(Two Reed switches Required)
1 2 3 4
ON
1 2 3 4
ON
1 2 3 4
ON
1 2 3 4
ON
1 2 3 4
ON
1 2 3 4
ON

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Mechanical
Enclosure: PETG or ABS plastic. 4.5”W X 3.5”D X 1.6”H with snap-on lid.
Speed pot: Knob protrudes 0.5”
User Connections:
Barrier Strip for Power In, Track Out, accepts 12-22 AWG terminal lugs.
Screw Terminals for Start, Stop, accept 26-20 AWG wire.
Electrical
Power Input: 7-25VDC, reverse polarit protection (prevents damage, but will not operate).
Track Output: Up to 10 amps. Short circuit protection. PWM (Pulse Width Modulation), 20 KHZ.
Control Inputs: Normall Open switch contacts,
Momentar close to common (COM) to activate Start/Stop.
Radio: 433MHZ
Warrant
12 months from date of purchase. Post warrant repairs can be made for a modest fee.
APTC Hardware Specifications
Made by G-Scale Graphics in Windsor, Colorado, USA

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Meanwell Power Supplies
You will need to provide or purchase our own AC power cord and connect it to our Meanwell power suppl .
An 3-wire power cord will work. Set the power input switch on the side of the power suppl for 115 VAC U.S.
Output voltage should be 24 VDC maximum for use with the G-Scale Graphics Trackside R/C or other Track
Throttles. But no adjustment should be necessar as received.
Crimp some spade connectors
on the wire ends for a nice neat
connection. The AC input terminals
on our power suppl ma be ex-
posed, so ou ma want to insert a
piece of st rene over them for add-
ed safet .