M.T.H. Premier L-5 User manual

Premier L-5
Electric Engine
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional
O-54 Gauge track system, including
M.T.H.’s RealTrax®or ScaleTrax™or
traditional tubular track. It is also compatible
with most standard AC transformers. (See
page 19 for a complete list of compatible
transformers and wiring instructions.)
PLEASE READ BEFORE USE AND SAVE

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:
Not recommended for children under 10 years of age. M.T.H. recommends adult supervision with children ages 10 - 16.
As with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to reduce the risk of electric shock.
WARNING: When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the followi ng:
Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.
M.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment
periodically for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary
cord, plug blades, housing, output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until
properlyrepaired.
Do not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
This train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
l
l
l
lDo not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.
Table of Contents
Set Up Checklis t...................................................................................................3
Lubrication.............................................................................................3
Checking The Battery............................................................................ 3
Basic Operation ....................................................................................................4
Activating Features................................................................................4
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions........................................................... 6
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features....................6
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS)................................................................... 7
Proto-Coupler® Operation.................................................................... 8
Speed Control........................................................................................ 9
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction.................................................. 10
Reset To Factory Default.......................................................................10
Automatic Sound Effects.......................................................................10
Maintenance.........................................................................................................11
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions...................................................11
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track..................................................12
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions.................................................13
Headlight Replacement Instructions......................................................14
Self Charging Battery Back-Up.............................................................14
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems.......................................16
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart....................................... 19
Additional Features Accessible Of DCS Remote Control System........20
Service & Warranty Information........................................................... 21
Limited One-Year Warranty..................................................................21

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 3
Set Up Checklist
•Lubricate the locomotive
•Check to see whether the battery needs to be charged for full sound effects
•Apply power to run as described in the Basic Operating Section of this manual
Lubrication
You should lubricate the engine to prevent it from squeaking. Use
light household oil and follow the lubrication points marked “L” in
Fig. 1. Do not over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
Lubricate Pick Up Rollers (L)
Lubricate Wheel Axles (L)
Figure 1. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive
DO NOT
OVER OIL
Checking The Battery
You may find, if your locomotive was built several months before you set it up, that the
rechargeable battery has run down and needs to be charged before operating. If you
notice that the sounds are garbled, test and charge the engine as described in the
"Self-Charging Battery Back-Up" on page 14.

4Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
Basic Operation
The Throttle knob controls how fast your train will travel.
Turn the throttle knob up ½-way, until the engine and caboose lights shine bright.
Put the engine into motion by pressing the Direction button on your transformer once.
(hold it for approximately 1 second)
If the engine does not begin to move as soon as you firmly press the Direction button,
you may not have sent enough voltage to the track to make the train move. Turn the
throttle up a bit higher until the train begins to move.
Throttle To increase or decrease track voltage, and therefore train speed, turn the
throttle control knob. Turning clockwise will increase voltage and speed, while turning
counterclockwise will decrease voltage and speed. The engine will maintain the speed
you set after you release the throttle until you turn it again to change the voltage and
speed.
Bell - To sound the bell, in an engine equipped with a bell firmly press and release the
Bell button. To turn the bell off, press and release the Bell button again. The bell will
continue to ring from the time you turn it on until you press and release the button again
to turn it off.
Horn/Whistle - To sound the whistle, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The whistle
will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will stop when you
release the button.
Direction Your train is programmed to
start in neutral. The train will always
cycle neutral-forward-neutral-reverse with
each press and release of the direction
button. The engine is programmed to
restart in neutral each time the track
voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or
more.
Cycle Phases
Neutral
Neutral
ForwardReverse
Activating Features

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 5
Manual Volume Control
To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this engine, turn the master volume control
knob located next to the fuel tank clockwise to increase the volume and
counter-clockwise to decrease the volume.
Proto-Sound 2.0
Volume Adjustment Knob
Figure 2: Manual Volume Adjustment Knob

6Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
This manual contains the operating instructions for Proto-Sound 2.0 in conventional
mode only. Instructions for accessing DCS command mode features accompany the DCS
Remote Control System equipment.
Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Horn button pushes
described below. Please read the full descriptions of each feature before using it. To use
these buttons to activate features rather than to blow the horn or ring the bell, you should
tap the buttons very quickly with a ½-second pause between button presses. You may
need to practice your timing to make this work smoothly.
Proto-Sound 2.0
Operating Instructions
Timing Chart
Total Time Lapse: 1 Seconds½
Press
Horn
Short &
Firm
½ Sec.
Pause
½ Sec.
Pause
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Press
Bell
Short &
Firm
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional
Mode Features

7Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
Your engine is equipped with a sound package of freight yard sounds that you can play
when you pull into a yard. Each sequence described below will play as long as it is left
on, randomly generating sounds, but be sure to allow approximately 30 seconds between
the button pushes described below to allow the PSA sufficient time to run through each
sequence.
•To cue the sound system to play the PSA, quickly but firmly tap the Bell button
once followed by 2 quick taps of the Horn button while the engine is moving.
Tap the buttons quickly but allow approximately ½ second between each press.
•Press the Direction button once to stop the engine. This will trigger the first
sequence of PSA. The reverse unit is temporarily disabled so that the train will
not move as you use the Direction button to trigger the sounds, and Proto-Sound
2.0 has disabled operator control over the Horn and Bell buttons until the full
PSA sequence is complete.
•After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction
button again to trigger the second sequence of PSA.
•After about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the third PSA
sequence.
•Again, after allowing about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the
Direction button one more time to trigger the fourth and final PSA sequence.
The PSA will continue, and within a few seconds, the engine will start and move
out on its own at the current throttle setting, in the same direction it was traveling
when you began the sequence. Once the bell turns off, the operator regains
control of the transformer's Bell and Horn buttons and can ring the bell or blow
the horn as usual.
Passenger Station Announcements (PSA)

8Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
Tips on Using PSA
•You can terminate PSA at any time by turning off power to the track for 15
seconds.
•You do not have to be in Forward to use PSA. At the conclusion of the full
sequence, the train will pull away from the station in whatever direction you
were going when you activated the feature.
•You can use PSA even if you are double-heading with another engine. If the
second engine is not equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0, you must remember
not to leave the throttle at a high voltage level once you have stopped the
engine to run the PSA. Otherwise, the engine without PSA will begin
vibrating on the track as its motors strain to move the train, since they
cannot be automatically disabled during the PSA cycle (or if an original
Proto-Sound engine, PSA are triggered differently and that engine's
motor-disable feature will not be active when you run PSA in Proto-Sound
2.0).
•PSA can be triggered from Neutral. It will operate the same as if triggered
while in motion except that, at the conclusion of the PSA, the engine will
depart in the next direction of travel, as opposed to the direction it was
traveling before entering Neutral.
This locomotive is equipped with one or more coil-wound Proto-Couplers for remote
uncoupling action. Because Proto-Couplers are controlled through the Proto-Sound 2.0
microprocessor, they do not require an uncoupling track section or modification to your
layout to function. You can fire a coupler from neutral or while in motion. Use the code
shown below (and in the chart on p. 7) to fire the coupler(s).
Rear Coupler:
To fire the rear coupler, quickly tap the Bell button once followed by three quick taps of
the Horn button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button
press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion will play, and the knuckle will be
released.
Horn Horn
Fire
Rear
Coupler
= Horn
Bell
Proto-Coupler® Operation

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 9
Front Coupler:
To fire the front coupler (if your engine has one), quickly tap the Bell button once
followed by four quick taps of the Horn button, allowing approximately ½ second to
lapse between each quick button press. The sound of the liftbar and air line depletion
will play, and the knuckle will be released.
Horn Horn
Fire
Front
Coupler
= Horn HornBell
M.T.H. engines equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 have speed control capabilities that allow
the engine to maintain a constant speed up and down grades and around curves, much
like an automobile cruise control. You can add or drop cars on the run, and the engine
will maintain the speed you set.
While the engine is programmed to start with the speed control feature activated, you can
opt to turn it off. This means the engine's speed will fall as it labors up a hill and increase
as it travels downward. It is also affected by the addition or releasing of cars while on the
run. Because the engine will run more slowly at a given throttle voltage when speed
control is on than when it is off, you should adjust the throttle to a lower power level for
operation with speed control off to avoid high-speed derailments. When speed control is
off, the volume will drop to allow for better low voltage operation.
To turn speed control on and off, put the engine in neutral, then quickly tap the
transformer's Horn button one time then quickly tap the Bell button two times, allowing
approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button press. Two horn blasts will
indicate that the engine has made the change. Repeat the 1 horn, 2 bells code to return it
to the other condition. You will want to do this during the initial neutral upon start-up if
you ever couple this engine to another engine that is not equipped with speed control to
avoid damaging the motors in either engine. Each time you shut down the engine
completely, it will automatically turn speed control on.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Neutral
Bell Bell =
Speed Control
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
Speed Control

10 Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
You can lock your engine into a direction (forward, neutral, or reverse) so that it will not
change directions. To do this, put the engine into the direction you want (or into neutral
to lock it into neutral), run it at a very slow crawl (as slowly as it will move without
halting), and quickly but firmly tap the Horn button once followed by three quick taps of
the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each quick button
press. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change. The engine will
not change direction (including going into neutral) until you repeat the 1 horn, 3 bells
code to return the engine to its normal condition, even if the engine is kept without power
for extended periods of time.
Horn
Place
Engine into
Desired
Direction
Horn Bell Bell Bell
=
Direction Lock
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it to its
factory defaults, while in Neutral tap the Horn button quickly once, followed by five
quick taps of the Bell button, allowing approximately ½ second to lapse between each
quick button press. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change.
Reset
Two Horn Blasts
Repeat to Return
to Normal Condition
(indicates change is made)
Horn
Place
Engine in
Neutral =
BellBellBellBellBell
Certain Proto-Sound 2.0 sound effects automatically play in programmed conventional
mode conditions:
•Squealing Brakes play any time the engine's speed decreases rapidly.
•Cab Chatter plays at random intervals when the engine idles in neutral.
•Engine Start-up and Shut-down sounds play when the engine is initially powered
on or is powered off for five seconds or more.
Locking Locomotive Into A Direction
Reset To Factory Default
Automatic Sound Effects

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 11
Maintenance
The engine should be well oiled and greased in order to run properly.
Regularly lubricate all axles and linkage components and pickup rollers to prevent
squeaking. Use light household oil, such as that found in M.T.H.'s
maintenance kit. Do not over oil. Use only a drop or two on each
pivot point.
DO NOT
OVER OIL
Body Mount Screws
Lubrication Ports
Figure 3: Body Removal Screw Locations
The locomotive’s internal gearing was greased at the factory and should not need
additional grease until after 50 hours of operation or one year, whichever comes first.
Follow the greasing instructions below. Note that in some tightly packed engines you
may need to move internal components temporarily in order to access the gears.
1. In order to gain access to the gearbox, remove the cab from the chassis by unscrewing
the body mount screws as seen in Figure 3. Then separate the cab and the chassis.
2. Once the cab is removed remove the 2 screws that hold the MCD Pad to the motor
mount.
3. Carefully move the MCD pad to the side and remove the 3rd screw that attaches the
motor mount to the gearbox.
4. After the 3rd motor mount screw has been removed, pull the motor away from the
gearbox and lightly coat the motor worm gear and the bronze drive gear with grease.
Lubricating and Greasing Instructions

12 Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
5. Reassemble the gearbox and motor, being careful not to pinch any wires between the
motor mount and the gearbox.
6. After repeating the procedure for the other motor, reassmble the chassis and body,
being careful that the wire harnesses are not caught between the chassis and body and
reinstall the chassis screws.
Lubricate the axle bushings with oil. Use the diagram shown in Figure 4 above as a
guide and add grease to the points marked with a “O.”
Periodically check the locomotive
wheels and pickups for dirt and
buildup, which can cause poor
electrical contact and traction and
prematurely wear out the neoprene
traction tires. Wheels and tires can be
cleaned using denatured (not rubbing)
alcohol applied with a cotton swab.
To clean the track, use RailKing Track
Cleaning Fluid and a clean rag or
denatured (not rubbing) alcohol.
Unplug the transformer and wipe the
rails of the track, turning the rag
frequently to ensure that you are using clean cloth on the rails. Thereafter, keep an eye
on the track and clean it when it gets dirty to ensure good electrical contact and to
lengthen the life of the tires.
Cleaning The Wheels, Tires and Track
Lubricate axle bushings
Figure 4: Lubricating the axle bushings

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 13
Your locomotive is equipped with two neoprene rubber traction tires. While these tires
are extremely durable, you may need to replace them at some point.
Next, remove the hex head side rod bolts from the drive wheels with the traction tires.
Once the side rods have been removed:
1. Make sure the old tire has been completely removed from the groove in the drive
wheel, using a razor blade or small flathead screwdriver to pry away any remains.
2. Slip the new tire onto the wheel. You may find it useful to use two small flathead
screwdrivers to stretch the tire over the wheel.
3. If you twist the tire while stretching it over the wheel, you will need to remove and
reinstall the tire. Otherwise your engine will wobble while operating.
4. Make sure the tire is fully seated inside the groove. Use a razor blade to trim away any
excess tire that will not seat inside the groove properly.
5. Reassemble in the reverse order.
One set of replacement tires is packaged with your model. Additional sets are available
directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department(order online: www.mth-railking.com, e-mail:
[email protected]; mail: 7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD
21046-1532, FAX: [phone]).
Traction Tire Replacement Instructions

14 Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
The locomotive’s headlights are controlled by a constant voltage circuit in the engine.
The headlight is easy to remove and replace when it burns out. The bulb has a disconnect
plug that attaches the bulb harness to a connector terminal inside the body shell.
Replacement bulbs are available directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department. However,
you may want to have the bulb replaced at an MTH Authorized Service Center.
The two special AA size 1.5v NiCad self-charging batteries recharges continuously
during train operation and should last for up to five years. The batteries are dry batteries
that should not leak or cause any damage to your engine. Depending upon when your
engine was built, they may need to be charged right out of the box. If engine sounds
seem distorted or garbled at low voltages or become silent when power from the
transformer is turned off, test the batteries to determine whether they should be recharged
or replaced.
Test: Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 10-12 volts (high enough
for the lights to shine brightly and the engine to move steadily) for 15 minutes.
Recharge: If the sounds are improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, the
batteries charge has run down and can be recharged. There are a number of ways you can
do this:
•Leave the engine in neutral with track voltage at 10-12 volts for 6-7 hours so the
batteries can fully recharge (if your engine has a smoke unit, be sure it is turned
off).
•Use M.T.H.'s battery recharger (sold separately) that plugs into a wall outlet and
a special port under the engine to recharge the batteries overnight without leaving
it on the track.
Replace: If the sounds are not improved at the end of the 15-minute test charge, it is
time to replace the batteries. Available through M.T.H. Parts.
Headlight Replacement Instructions
Self Charging Battery Back-Up

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 15
Disconnect battery and
slide out of bracket
Figure 6: Removing The Battery
Battery Charger Port
Figure 5: Battery Charger Port

16 Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
Although Proto-Sound 2.0 has been designed and engineered for ease of use, you may
have some questions during initial operation. The following table should answer most
questions. If your problem cannot be resolved with this table, contact M.T.H. for
assistance (telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; [email protected],
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound® 2.0 Problems

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 17

18 Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive

Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive 19
Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to work with most standard AC transformers. The chart
below lists the many compatible transformers. Note that many of the operational
commands described in these instructions require a bell button, so if your transformer
does not have its own bell button, you should consider adding one to get the full benefit
of the system. In addition, the chart details how the terminals on these transformers
should be attached to your layout.
Transformer
Model Center Rail Outside Rail Min/Max. Voltage
Power
Rating
Transformer
Type
Lionel 1032 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1032M U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1033 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1043 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1043M U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1044 U A 5-16v 90-Watt Standard
Lionel 1053 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard
Lionel 1063 U A 8-17v 60-Watt Standard
All-Trol Left Terminal Right Terminal 0-24v 300-Watt Electronic
Dallee Hostler Left Terminal Right Terminal Electronic
Lionel LW A U 8-18v 75-Watt Standard
Lionel KW A or B U6-20v 190-Watt Standard
Lionel MW Outside Track
Terminal
Inside Track
Terminal 5-16v 50V.A. Electronic
Lionel RS-1 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-18v 50V.A. Electronic
Electronic
Lionel RW U A 9-19v 110-Watt Standard
Lionel SW U A Unknown 130-Watt Standard
Lionel TW U A 8-18v 175-Watt Standard
Lionel ZW
Lionel Post-War
Celebration
Series ZW
A,B,C or D
A,B,C or D
U
Common
8-20v
0-20v
275-Watt
135/190 Watt
Standard
MTH Z-500 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-18v 50-Watt Electronic
MTH Z-750 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-21v 75-Watt Electronic
MTH Z-4000 Red Terminal Black Terminal 0-22v 390-Watt Electronic
* Conventional Mode Only
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart

20 Premier L-5 Electric Locomotive
(Additional equipment required)
While conventional mode operation of a Proto-Sound 2.0 engine yields wonderfully
realistic sound and several train control features, command mode operation allows the
user to access a world of command functions never before accessible to O Gauge
railroaders. With the addition of the DCS Remote Control System (including a DCS
remote handheld and Track Interface Unit) users gain many advanced features, including:
•DCS Proto-Speed Control - Establishes desired locomotive speed in scale miles
per hour increments via a thumbwheel control and allows operator to set
maximum speed and acceleration/deceleration rates
•ProtoSmoke® Variable Output Control - Controls how much smoke each engine
outputs and matches smoke to locomotive speed
•Locomotive Lighting Control - Controls locomotive headlights, marker and
interior lights, beacon lights, ditch lights, and MARS lights
•Emergency Stop-Single button push stops all Proto-Sound 2.0 trains but does not
turn off the power
•One Touch Global Mute/UnMute-Single button mutes or unmutes all
DCS-controlled locomotives' user-defined actions, including sound, lights, and
smoke
•Proto-Dispatch Operation-Public Address-like feature allows users to speak
through locomotive speaker during operation
•Proto-Cast-Allows users to play audio recordings through locomotive speaker
during operation
•Proto-Doppler Sound Effects Set Up-Users can configure locomotive for
Doppler Operation, including setting distance points for Doppler start, repeat,
and stop modes
•Independent Volume Control of Engine Sounds, Bell, Horn & Whistle for each
Locomotive
•Control up to 50 different DCS-Equipped Locomotives at one time with multiple
TIUs
•Proto-Effects™ Set Up-User can select individual Proto-Effects™ operations to
be active or inactive, including cab chatter, train wreck sounds, coupler sounds,
and wheel clickety-clack sounds
•Direction Control Set Up-User can set initial individual start-up direction (start
in forward or reverse) for double-heading operations
•Locomotive Consist Set-up-User can determine locomotive values for consist
make-ups, allowing multiple locomotives belonging to a consist to operate
together
Additional Features Accessible With The DCS
Remote Control System