5
Transformer operations
Your locomotive’s Odyssey™ System speed control
You can lock your locomotive into speed
control mode (ideal for low speed opera-
tion) so it will automatically compensate for
grades, or to simply maintain a specific
speed setting. To turn on the speed
control, get your locomotive moving at the
desired speed, in forward or reverse. Let it
run at the desired speed for at least 5 sec-
onds. Press and hold the horn/whistle button
for 2-3 seconds as you increase the throttle
by at least 3 volts. Your locomotive will accel-
erate briefly, then will return to your set
speed once you release the horn/whistle but-
ton. As long as the throttle position is main-
tained at a higher setting than the initial
level, your locomotive will maintain a con-
stant speed. If the throttle is turned below the
original level, your locomotive will slow
down due to the available voltage decrease
below the “set” level. To check if the speed
control setting has been “accepted,” turn up
the throttle. You will see the lights brighten,
but the speed will remain constant. For best
results, adjust the track voltage about 3-4
volts above the “set” point. This will provide
enough spare voltage to compensate for
uphill grades, etc., but will prevent excessive
voltage to the lamps and smoke unit. (In
conventional mode, these operate at track
voltage, and excessive voltage may lead to
premature bulb burn-out.)
• If you wish to change the speed control
setting, you must deactivate the speed
control, then reactivate at the new
setting.
To turn speed control off, get your loco-
motive into neutral for at least 5 seconds.
Press the horn/whistle button for 2-3 seconds
while lowering the throttle voltage to 1/4 of
full power or at least three volts. Do not turn
the throttle off or speed control may not
deactivate. This can be difficult if you have
established a low speed control setting. Once
you are in neutral, you can increase the
track voltage before pressing the horn/whis-
tle button and lowering the voltage. This will
give you more “room” to lower the voltage.
(The speed control deactivates when it sees a
3 volt change with the horn/whistle button
pressed, regardless of initial voltage level.)
Note! Speed control settings are retained in memory even if power is turned off.
They will remain present until deactivated.
