MTHTrains PREMIER GP-9 Diesel Engine User manual

PREMIER GP-9
DIESELENGINE
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
This GP-9 Diesel Engine features a detailed ABS body, die-cast trucks and runs on O-42
curves.
This Premier Diesel Engine contains state-of-the-art electronics with many
built-in automatic features for incredibly realistic 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
20),
and is compatible with most other 3-rail 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.

2
Premier GP-9 Diesel Engine Operating Instructions
Table of Contents
Set Up 3
Basic Operation 4
Throttle 4
Operation Buttons 4
Manual Volume Control 4
Proto-Sound 2.0 Operation 5
Activating Proto-Sound 2.0 Conventional Mode Features 5
Freight Yard Sounds (FYS) 6
Tips on Using FYS 7
Proto-Coupler
®Operation 8
Speed Control 8
Lock into a Direction 9
Reset to Factory Defaults 9
Automatic Sounds 9
Maintenance 10
ProtoSmoke Unit Operation 10
Lubrication and Greasing Instructions 12
Traction Tire Replacement 13
Light Bulb Replacement 14
Self-Charging Battery Back-Up 16
Troubleshooting 17
Compatibility 19
Transformer Compatibility Chart 20
Additional Features with DCS Remote Control System 21
Safety Precautions 23
Service and Warranty Information 24

3
Premier GP-9 Diesel Engine Operating Instructions
SetUp
There are a couple of simple steps you must take before operating this Premier
diesel.
1. Although the engine was lubricated at the factory, it is important that you
lubricate the chassis before operation. Lightly grease the outside idler and
drive gears (marked “G” in Fig.
7 on pg. 13 ) with lithium-based grease to
prevent them from squeaking and premature wear. Use light household oil and
follow the lubrication points (marked “L” in Fig.
5 on pg. 12). Do not
over-oil. Use only a drop or two on each pivot point.
2. Prime the operating smoke unit with smoke fluid before operating. Add
15-20 drops of smoke fluid through the smokestack (see Fig.
2 on pg. 10), then
gently blow into the stack to eliminate any air bubbles in the fluid.
3. If you choose not to prime the unit with fluid, turn the smoke unit switch
located under the engine to the OFF position (see Fig. 3 on pg. 10
). Running
the engine without a primed smoke unit may cause damage. See the
“ProtoSmoke Unit Operation” section of this book for more information on
smoke unit maintenance.
At this point, you are ready to put your engine on the track and begin running
it.

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Premier GP-9 Diesel Engine Operating Instructions
Basic Operation
Throttle–Throttle up the power to your track. Give about 10-12 volts or
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.
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 your turn it on until you press and release the button again to turn
it off.
Direction – Your train is programmed to start in neutral. To put the engine
into forward and then to change the direction of the train or to put it into
neutral, firmly press and release the Direction button on your transformer. Just
as you must stop your car 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 10 seconds or more.
Manual 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-Sound 2.0
Volume Adjustment Knob
Figure 1. Adjusting the Proto-Sound 2.0 Volume

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Premier GP-9 Diesel Engine Operating Instructions
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:
Freight Yard Sounds
FiretheRearCoupler
Fire the Front Coupler
Speed Control On/Off
LockintoaDirection/Unlock
Reset to Factory Defaults
ButtonCode:
1 Bell, 2 Whistles
1 Bell, 3 Whistles
1 Bell, 4 Whistles
1 Whistle, 2 Bells
1 Whistle, 3 Bells
1 Whistle, 5 Bells (From Neutral Only)
(From Neutral Only)
FYS Code Timing
Total Time Lapse: 1 Seconds½
Tap
Bell
Quickly ½ Sec.
Pause ½ Sec. Pause
Tap
Whistle
Quickly
Tap
Whistle
Quickly