M.T.H. Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine User manual

By MTH Electric Trains
TinplateTraditions®
Contemporary 408E Electric
Engine Operating Instructions
Thank you for purchasing the M.T.H. Tinplate Traditions 408E Locomotive. This
locomotive runs on Standard Gauge three-rail track and can handle a 72” curve. It runs
on 14-20 volts AC (Alternating Current)
.This Standard Gauge Tinplate Traditions®
Electric Engine contains state-of-the-art electronics with many built-in automatic features
for exciting operation. Despite these advanced features, the locomotive is easy to operate
with any compatible standard AC transformer that is equipped with whistle and bell
buttons (see the compatibility chart on page
17), and is compatible with most other 3-rail
Standard Gauge locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories.
This locomotive is equipped with Proto-Sound 2.0 with Digital Command System
(DCS). This new system will allow you to operate your locomotive in Command mode
(when used with the DCS Remote Control System, sold separately) or Conventional
mode. Conventional operating features are described in the following pages, while the
DCS operating features are covered in the set of operating instructions that
accompanies the DCS equipment.
Conventional Mode operation of this locomotive is
much simpler than operation of original Proto-Sound engines. For your own safety and
that of your equipment, please read the instructions before you operate this engine.
WARNING: DO NOT LIFT THIS ENGINE BY ITS HANDRAILS.
THEY CANNOT SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Table of Contents
Initial Lubrication 3
Basic Operation 4
Throttle 4
Operation Buttons 4
Volume Control 5
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operation 6
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features 6
Freight Yard Sounds (PSA) 7
Tips on Using PSA 8
SpeedControl 9
Lock into a Direction 9
Reset to Factory Defaults 10
Automatic Sounds 10
Maintenance 11
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions 11
Light Replacement 12
Self-Charging Battery Back-Up 13
Troubleshooting 14
Compatibility 16
Transformer Compatibility Chart 17
Additional Features with DCS Remote Control System 18
Safety Precautions 20
Service and Warranty Information 24

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Initial Lubrication
Use motor oil (10W-40 or 10W-30) for lubrication. Apply oil sparingly, using
a toothpick or similar applicator. Before beginning, please be sure to have
several toothpicks and cotton swabs handy to apply oil and clean up the excess.
Familiarize yourself with the location of the oiling points (see Fig. 2 on page
12
) before beginning. Apply oil before operating and after every seven
hours of operation.

4
Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Basic Operation
Throttle – Throttle up the power to your track. Give enough power so that
the engine’s headlight shines brightly. Then put the engine into motion by
either firmly pressing the Direction button on your transformer or remote once
or dropping and advancing the throttle to put the engine in forward.
Operation Buttons
Use the operation buttons on your transformer or remote as described below.
Horn/Whistle - To sound the horn, firmly press the Horn/Whistle button. The
horn will sound for as long as you continue to depress the button. It will stop
when you release the button. The horn has four different endings, depending
on whether you hold the button for less than three seconds, three seconds, four
seconds, or five seconds or longer.
Bell - To sound the 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.
Direction – Your train is programmed to start in neutral. The first direction
after neutral upon start-up is forward. Firmly press and release the Direction
button to allow the engine to move forward. Just as you must stop your
automobile between forward and reverse, this engine will not go directly from
forward to reverse; it goes into neutral between directions. If the train has
been moving forward, the first press of the Direction button will put the train
from forward into neutral, the second press into reverse, the third press back
into neutral, and the fourth back into forward. To prevent accidental
high-speed start-ups, this engine is programmed to restart in neutral each time
the track voltage is turned off for 25 seconds or more.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Volume Control
–To adjust the volume of all sounds made by this
engine, turn the master volume control knob located under the engine
clockwise to increase the volume and counter-clockwise to decrease the
volume (see Fig.
1).
Proto-Sound2.0
Volume Adjustment Knob
Figure 1. Proto-Sound 2.0 Volume Adjustment Knob

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operating Instructions
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.
Because Proto-Sound 2.0 is an all-new system developed by M.T.H.’s own
research and development team, it operates differently from original
Proto-Sound. Most Proto-Sound 2.0 features are automatically enabled, and
the reset state has been eliminated, so there is no need to program features as
with original Proto-Sound. Although the new system is easier to operate than
original Proto-Sound, you should read these instructions thoroughly before
using Proto-Sound 2.0 features in order to prevent harm to yourself or your
equipment.
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features:
Proto-Sound 2.0 features are activated by sequences of Bell and Whistle
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 whistle or ring the bell, you should press the buttons for a shorter
time (1/2 second); you may need to practice your timing to make this work
smoothly.
Feature to Be Activated:
Passenger Station Announcements
Speed Control On/Off
Lockinto a Direction/Unlock
Reset to Factory Defaults
Button Code:
1 Bell, 2 Whistles
1 Whistle, 2 Bells (from Neutral only)
1 Whistle, 3 Bells
1 Whistle, 5 Bells(fromNeutralonly)

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Passenger Station Announcements (PSA):
Your engine is equipped with a sound package of passenger station
announcements that you can play when you pull into a passenger station.
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.
1.
To cue the sound system to play the PSA, quickly but firmly press the Bell
button once followed by 2 quick but firm presses of the Whistle button while
the engine is moving. As soon as you have keyed in this code, you will hear
the announcement for the upcoming stop and the bell will begin to ring.
2.
Press the Direction button or drop and advance the throttle 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 Whistle and Bell buttons until the full PSA sequence is
complete.
3.
After waiting about 30 seconds for that sequence to run, press the Direction
button again to trigger the second sequence of PSA.
4.
After about 30 seconds, press the Direction button again to trigger the third
PSA sequence.
5.
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.
You will know it is the final sequence when you hear the “All Aboard!” call.
The bell will begin to chime 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 whistle buttons and can
ring the bell or blow the whistle as usual.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Tips on Using PSA
• You can terminate PSA at anytime 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 PSA at all, 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. If the second engine is an original
Proto-Sound engine equipped with PSA, you may choose to
disable it when used in double-heading operations, so you will not
experience competing PSA sounds. To disable PSA in an original
Proto-Sound engine, see the operating instructions for that engine.
• 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.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Speed Control:
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.
To turn speed control on and off,
put the engine in neutral, then press the
transformer’s Whistle button one time then immediately press the Bell button
two times. Two horn blasts will indicate that the engine has made the change.
Repeat the 1 whistle, 2 bells code to return it to the other state.
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.
Note: When speed control is turned off, the Proto-Sound 2.0 system will limit
the volume in order to operate more smoothly at lower voltages. Full volume
is restored upon reactivating speed control.
Lock into a Direction:
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 press the Horn
button once followed immediately by three presses of the Bell button.
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.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Reset to Factory Defaults:
To override the settings you currently have assigned to the engine and reset it
to its factory defaults, while in Neutral press the Whistle button once, followed
immediately by five quick pushes of the Bell button.Two horn blasts will
indicate that the engine has made the change.
Automatic Sounds:
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.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Maintenance
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions
Use motor oil (10W-40 or 10W-30) for lubrication. Apply oil sparingly, using
a toothpick or similar applicator. Before beginning, please be sure to have
several toothpicks and cotton swabs handy to apply oil and clean up the
excess. Familiarize yourself with the location of the oiling points (see Fig. 2)
before beginning.
Apply oil before operating and after every seven hours
of operation.
Lubricating the Wheel Gears (Fig. 2, #1)
Slowly turn the drive wheels by hand an apply oil to the wheel gears until all
teeth on all four gears are moist. Wipe away excess oil with a cotton swab.
Lubricating the Intermediate Gears (Fig. 2, #2)
Slowly turn the drive wheels by hand and oil the six intermediate gears until
all gear teeth are moist. Note: Four gears are double-gears: both sets of teeth
should be oiled. Wipe away excess oil with a cotton swab.
Lubricating the Drive Axles (Fig. 2, #3)
Position one end of the locomotive downward so that you can see one of the
drive axles on each motor. Using a toothpick or length of wire, carefully
apply two drops of oil to the axles at all four bronze bearings.
Turn the locomotive around so that you can see the other two drive axles.
Carefully apply two drops of oil on the axles at the bronze bearings.
Lubricating the Pickup Rollers (Fig. 2, #4)
Apply a small drop of oil at the axles of the pickup rollers. Wipe away excess
oil with a cotton swab. The rolling surface should be free of oil.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Figure 2. Lubrication Points on the Locomotive
Light Replacement Instructions
The locomotive’s lights are controlled by a constant voltage circuit in the
engine. They are easy to remove and replace when they burn out. Simply
unscrew the bulb that needs to be replaced from its socket and replace it with
another.
Replace the headlamps with M.T.H. MS-0000009 clear lamps.
Replace the red marker lamps with M.T.H. MS-0000007 red lamps.
Replace the green marker lamps with M.T.H. MS-0000008 green lamps.
Replacement bulbs are available directly from the M.T.H. Parts Department
(phone: [phone]; e-mail: [email protected]; mail: 7020 Columbia
Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Self-Charging Battery Back-Up
The special NiCad 7-cell 8.4v self-charging battery in this engine improves
performance at any speed. It ensures that power to the sound system will
remain on during directional changes or when travelling over dirty track or
switches. The self-charging battery system is automatically turned on or off
whenever track power is turned on or off.
Track power (when applied) recharges the battery, which should last for up to
five years, and the special NiCad battery is a dry battery that should not leak or
cause any damage to your engine. However, even this special battery will
eventually wear down and need to be replaced. When you notice that your
engine sounds seem distorted or garbled at low voltages or become silent when
power from the transformer is turned off, test the battery to determine whether
it should be recharged or replaced.
Put the engine in neutral and leave the track voltage at 12 volts for 15 minutes
If the garbled or distorted sounds are reduced, the battery charge has run down
and can be recharged. Do this by leaving the engine in neutral with track
voltage at 12 volts for 6-7 hours so the battery can fully recharge. Or you can
remove the battery
(as described below) and charge it in any standard slow
charge battery recharger, following the recharger’s directions.
If the sounds are not improved at the end of the 15 minute test charge, it is
time to replace the battery
(see directions below). Contact the M.T.H. Parts
Department (phone: [phone]; e-mail: [email protected]; mail:
7020 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532) for a replacement
battery. A standard 9v alkaline battery can be substituted until your
replacement arrives, but since alkaline batteries cannot be recharged, it will
eventually wear down. Do NOT use a 6-cell 7.2v battery like those found in
most convenience stores.
Screwstoremove
theshell(bothends)
Figure 3a. Screws to Remove
to access the inside of the
engine.
Unhook Wires, Remove
and Replace Battery
Figure 3b. Replacing the Battery

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Troubleshooting Proto-Sound®2.0 Problems
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:
410-423-0009; e-mail: [email protected], mail: 7020 Columbia
Gateway Drive, Columbia MD 21046-1532).
Starting Up
Horn
Bell
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
When I first turn the power on, the
engine will not begin to run. I have to
turn the throttle off and then on again
to get the engine to operate.
When I press the whistle button, the
bell comes on instead.
I can’t get the horn to blow when I
press the whistle button.
I can’t get the bell to ring when I press
the bell button.
The bell won’t work on a separate bell
button.
When I press the whistle button, the
bell sounds.
Reverse the transformer leads.
You may be pressing the button too
quickly. Try pressing the whistle button
more slowly, taking approximately one
full second to fully depress the button.
You may be pressing the button too
quickly. Try pressing the bell button
more slowly, taking approximately one
full second to fully depress the button.
Reverse the transformer leads.
Check the wiring of the separate
button.
This is normal behavior. To prevent
accidental high-speed start-ups,
Proto-Sound 2.0 is programmed to
start up in neutral anytime track power
has been turned off for several
seconds. See the "Basic Operation"
section for more details.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Cab Chatter
Lock-out
Volume
Battery
PSA
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Remedy
Sometimes the Cab Chatter sounds
don’t play.
I can’t get the engine to run after I
power up the transformer. It sits still
with the engine sounds running.
The engine won’t lock into forward,
neutral, or reverse.
The sounds seem distorted, especially
when the whistle or bell is activated.
The engine will not leave the initial
neutral setting
The PSA sounds occasionally repeat
themselves.
I get no sounds when the engine shifts
between directions.
After I turn off my transformer, my
engine continues to make sounds
before quitting.
Cab Chatter plays only in neutral.
The engine is locked into the neutral
position. Follow the procedure in the
“Lock into a Direction” section.
Engine speed must be below 10 scale
mph (approx. 10 volts or less in
conventional mode).
Proto-Sound 2.0 volume is set too
high. Turn the volume control knob on
the bottom of the chassis counter-
clockwise to reduce the volume.
Check to be sure the battery is
installed and fully charged. See the
“Self-Charging Battery Back-Up”
section.
The battery may be dead or need to
be charged. See the “Self-Charging
Battery Back-Up” section.
Proto-Sound 2.0 is designed to
continue to sound for a few seconds
after power to the track has been shut
off.
Proto-Sound 2.0 has a built-in random
number generator that randomly
selects each sound clip to play.
Because there are a limited number of
sound clips available in each PSA
sequence, it is probable that some of
these sound clips will be repeated
from time to time.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
PSA Remedy
Once in PSA, the engine doesn’t go
into reverse.
When the PSA enters its last
sequence the bell automatically
comes on.
When PSA is enabled, pressing the
whistle and bell buttons has no effect.
I push the direction button but the next
sound clip in the sequence does not
play or the engine does not come out
of PSA after fourth press of the
direction button.
So that PSA effects can be as realistic
as possible, Proto-Sound 2.0
disables the reversing unit
whenever PSA is enabled. This
way the engine remains still at its
stop as the operator cycles
through the PSA sequences.
PSA is programmed to start ringing
the bell at that point. After
approximately 12 rings of the bell, it
will automatically turn off.
Because PSA must control various
effects in each sequence, Proto-
Sound 2.0 takes control of these
sound effects until you exit PSA.
Each PSA clip must play for approx.
30 seconds before PSA will advance
to the next step in the PSA cycle. Wait
at least 30 seconds in each PSA
sound clip before pressing the
direction button.
Compatibility
This engine will operate on any traditional Standard Gauge track system,
including M.T.H.’s or original Standard Gauge track. It is also compatible
with most standard AC transformers. (See page 17 for a complete list of
compatible transformers and wiring instructions.)

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Transformer Compatibility and Wiring Chart
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.
Transformer
Model Center Rail OutsideRail 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

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
Additional Features Accessible with the DCS Remote
Control System:
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.
• Locomotive Lighting Control-Independently controls locomotive headlights,
marker and interior lights, and ditch lights.
• Emergency Stop-Single button push stops your trains (but does not turn off
track 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.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
• 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.
• Query Locomotive Information-User can query locomotive programming to
learn locomotive address and engine data information, including scale miles
traveled.
• User Can Query, Set and Operate Track and Accessory Interface Units for
Programming Digital Command Operations for up to 250 Accessories and 250
Individual Switches
.
• User Can Script, Record and Playback Train Routes.

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Tinplate Traditions 408E Electric Engine
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 followed including the following:
-Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.
-M.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the
hobby transformer 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 transformer should not be used until properly repaired.
- As with all electrical appliances, this product should not be left in operation
when unattended.