Ring Engineering AM-1b User manual

Model Railroad
Accessory Module (AM-1b)
User Manual
Ring Engineering Inc.
[phone]
.RingEngineering.com Revision 2.01
Copyright © 2018 Ring Engineering Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction
Thank you or purchasing this Ring Engineering product. We take pride in the
products that we produce and hope you ind this product to be a great addition to your
model railroad layout.
Please read all warnings and instructions be ore installation and use. For the latest
in ormation including the latest revision o this manual please visit our Internet site at
www.RingEngineering.com.
The AM-1 is an Accessory Module that you can add to your model railroad layout to
control turnouts (Switch Tracks) and other products by using a RailPro controller such
as the HC-1 handheld controller with color touchscreen.
Introduction.............................................................................2
Warnings..................................................................................3
Direct Radio.............................................................................3
Installation...............................................................................3
Passwords...............................................................................9
Adjustments.............................................................................9
Advanced Adjustments.........................................................10
Feed ack Wiring....................................................................10
Status Indicator Light............................................................11
Reset Switch..........................................................................11
Terminal Connections...........................................................11
Warranty ................................................................................12
FCC Statement ......................................................................12
Noti ication: Ring Engineering believes that our AM-1 module is compatible with most
HO Scale turnouts. However, it is not practical or Ring Engineering to test our
module with all available turnouts. Further, we cannot control the manu acturing or
speci ication changes rom other manu acturers. It is your responsibility to determine
i our module is suitable or your application. Ring Engineering is not responsible or
any damage that may occur to your equipment rom using our AM-1 module.
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Warnings
Direct Radio
This product is equipped with Direct Radio. Direct Radio is a custom designed RF
transceiver to allow this product to have high-speed, two-way communication that is
very easy to setup and use.
Installation
Step 1 – Mount your AM-1
Position the AM-1 near the products that you plan to wire to the AM-1 under your
layout. Use at least 2 screws and mount the AM-1. I only using two screws, be sure
the screws are located in opposite corners. The red arrows below identi y mounting
holes.
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WARNING: This product is not recommended or persons under ourteen (14)
years o age.
WARNING: Only connect a Ring Engineering approved power supply to the
proper power input connections. Maximum voltage is 16 Volts DC. A power
supply with excessive voltage or improper voltage can cause a ire. You can
use the output o a DCC booster i it has 3 amps or more o current capability
and the DCC system only consists o the signal speci ied in NMRA
standards.
WARNING: Never connect AC power supplies to the AM-1.
WARNING: Improperly connected products may cause a ire.
WARNING: Only connect products that can handle the voltage o the power
supply that is connected. Connecting products that are not rated or at least
the voltage o the connected power supply may cause a ire.
WARNING: The output or motors is high requency pulse width modulation to
control speed. Some motors can overheat and may become a ire hazard. Be
sure any motor you connect to the module is sa e or pulse width modulation
speed control.
WARNING: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Return to Ring
Engineering or repair.
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is
known to the State o Cali ornia to cause cancer and birth de ects or other
reproductive harm. For more in ormation go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
WARNING: Temperature: Operating 32F to 80F, Storage 0F - 110F
WARNING: Operate and store in dry environment only.
Relative Humidity: Operating 20% to 90% non-condensing, Storage 10% to
95% non-condensing

Step 2 – Connect the Power
Be sure the power supply you are going to connect to the AM-1 is turned o . Then
connect power supply to the “Power In” terminals labeled ‘P1’ and ‘P2’ with 16-gauge
wire.
Only connect a Ring Engineering approved power supply to the proper
power input connections such as the PWR-56. aximum voltage is 16 Volts
DC. A power supply with excessive voltage or improper voltage can cause a
fire.
Never connect an AC power supply to the A -1.
You can use the output of a DCC booster if it has 3 amps or more of current
capability and the DCC system only consists of the signal specified in N RA
standards.
NOTE: The AM-1 is not polarity sensitive. You can connect either power supply wire
to the ‘P1’ or ‘P2’ connectors.
The AM-1 is equipped with spring-loaded terminals or ast and secure connections
that do not require a tool. To connect a wire to the AM-1 terminals, irst strip 3/8 o an
inch (about 2/3 the length o the terminal block) o insulation o the wire. Then press
the orange push button over the contact that you want to connect a wire to. Insert the
wire into the round hole under the orange push button. Be sure the wire goes all the
way to the back o the terminal block while holding down on the orange push button.
When you eel the wire touch the back o the terminal block, release the orange
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button to secure the wire into the terminal block. Give the wire a tug to be sure it is
securely connected.
Figure 3.
Step 3 – “Find Product” on your Controlling Device
Power up the AM-1 and press the “Find Product” button on your controlling device
such as the HC-1 handheld controller. See your controlling devices manual or more
in ormation.
Step 4 – Configure the AM-1 for the Type of Switch
Con igure the AM-1 or the type o switch you are going to be connecting. Depending
on the type o switch machine you are going to connect to the AM-1 either select a
switch type o “Motor Operated”, “3-Wire Snap” or “2-Wire Snap”. On the controlling
device, go to the turnouts section and select the new turnout module. Press the
adjustments button to see the switch type. At this time you may also want to give this
newly detected product a name and a password. See the password section or more
in ormation on passwords.
You must select the proper type of switch before connecting any
switches.
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Wire Gauge
Minimum #30
Maximum #16

IMPORTANT: Be sure to save the settings a ter you select the proper type o switch.
Step 5 – Connect the Switches
Be sure the power is turned off before connecting any wires to the A -1.
There are three sections below showing how to connect three di erent types o
switches: Type 1 Motor Operated (slow motion switches) Type 2 Snap 3-Wire, and
Type 3 Snap 2 wire. Only one type o switch can be wired to an AM-1. See the
section below or the type o switches you will be connecting.
NOTE: Ring Engineering highly recommends using motor operated switches instead
o snap type switches. Snap type switches can take 100 times the power needed to
operate a switch compared to a motor operated switch.
Switch Type 1- Connect Motor Operated (slow motion switches)
Connect Motor operated switches as shown in igure 9.
(Only 'Switch 1' connections are shown)
You can connect up to 4 motor operated switches to the AM-1. See table 1 below or
the proper terminals to connect the 4 switches to.
Switch Terminals
Switch 1 O1 O2
Switch 2 O3 O4
Switch 3 O5 O6
Switch 4 O7 O8
Table 1
NOTE: I the switch is displayed in the turn position on the screen and the switch
being controlled is in the straight position (operating backward) then reverse the
wiring on that switch to correct the problem. For example i Switch 2 is operating
backward, change wire rom O3 to O4 position and wire rom O4 to O3 position.
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Wire Gauge
Recommended 22 AWG
or larger.
Recommended
maximum distance 20
eet or less.

Switch Type 2 - Connect 3-Wire Snap Switches
Connect 3-wire snap switches as shown in igure 10.
(Only 'Switch 1' connections are shown)
You can connect up to our 3-wire snap switches to the AM-1. See table 2 below or
the proper terminals to connect the 4 switches.
Switch Terminals
Switch 1 OP1 O1 O2
Switch 2 OP2 O3 O4
Switch 3 OP3 O5 O6
Switch 4 OP4 O7 O8
Table 2
Be sure the coil center tap wire is connected to the terminals labeled OP1
– OP4. Be sure the two non-center tap wires are connected to the terminals
labeled O1 – O8. Only Outputs O1 – O8 have redundant power cutout to be sure
sustained voltage is not applied to snap switches.
Snap switch resistance measured from the center wire to either other wire
must be between 3.6 and 20 Ohms. Never use a switch with more than 20 ohms
unless it can have power applied continuously without damage.
NOTE: I the switch is displayed in the turn position on the screen and the switch
being controlled is in the straight position (operating backward) then reverse the
wiring on that switch to correct the problem. For example i Switch 2 is operating
backward, change wire rom O3 to O4 position and wire rom O4 to O3 position.
TIP: I you are not sure which wire is the center wire you can contact the switch
manu acturer and ask them. Or you can use an electrical multimeter to ind out. The
two wires that read the highest resistances are not the center tap wire. A resistance
measurement rom the center tap to either o the two end wires should measure about
hal o the resistance as the resistance rom one end wire to the other.
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Wire Gauge
16 AWG 20 eet or less
18 AWG 12 eet or less
20 AWG 8 eet or less
22 AWG 4 eet or less

Switch Type 3 - Connect 2-Wire Snap Switches
Connect 2-wire snap switches as shown in igure 11.
(Only 'Switch 1' connections are shown)
You can connect up to our 2 wire snap switches to the AM-1. See table 3 below or
the proper terminals to connect the 4 switches to.
Switch Terminals
Switch 1 O1 O2
Switch 2 O3 O4
Switch 3 O5 O6
Switch 4 O7 O8
Table 3
Be sure the wires are connected to the terminals labeled O1 – O8. Only
Outputs O1 – O8 have redundant power cutout to be sure sustained voltage is
not applied to snap switches.
Snap switch resistance must be between 3.6 and 20 Ohms. Never use a
switch with more than 20 ohms unless it can have power applied continuously
without damage.
NOTE: I the switch is displayed in the turn position on the screen and the switch
being controlled is in the straight position (operating backward) then reverse the
wiring on that switch to correct the problem. For example i Switch 2 is operating
backward, change wire rom O3 to O4 position and wire rom O4 to O3 position.
Step 6 – Adjust AM-1 for est operation
The Activation Time adjustment sets the time the AM-1 will send power to the turnout
to get the turnout to change positions. It is important that you adjust the Activation
Time to only power the turnout just long enough to make the turnout move to a
position dependably.
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Wire Gauge
16 AWG 20 eet or less
18 AWG 12 eet or less
20 AWG 8 eet or less
22 AWG 4 eet or less

Operate a switch and notice i the switch makes a complete move rom the turned
position to the straight position and vice versa. I the switch does not make it all the
way to the intended position, increase the Activation Time until it does. I the switch
makes it all the way to the intended position, then decrease the Activation Time until it
no longer makes the position. Then increase Activation Time a little so that each
move to a position happens dependably. To adjust the Activation Time, on the
controlling device go into the Adjustments or the AM-1, then go to the Advanced
Setup.
Your AM-1 is now ready to use!
Passwords
You can set a password in your AM-1. Further, it is recommended that you set a
password in your AM-1 right a ter you receive it. When shipped rom the actory, your
AM-1’s password is blank. When the password is blank, any RailPro controlling
device can detect and control your AM-1. Since RailPro uses Direct Radio, it is
possible to detect and control your AM-1 rom over 100 t away. In other words, it is
possible or your neighbor to control your AM-1. However, i you put a password into
your AM-1, then your neighbor will not be able to detect or control your AM-1.
Note: It is ok to give each RailPro accessory module the same password.
Adjustments
Name
The reason to give your AM-1 a name is so you can tell it apart rom another AM-1. I
you had two or more AM-1’s and did not name them, it would be di icult to tell which
one you are going to control when you touch the picture o a AM-1 on your controlling
device. You can give the AM-1 any name that you would like.
Password
It is recommended that you give your AM-1 a password. Please read the Password
section or more in ormation.
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Turnout Type
There are three di erent types o turnouts the AM-1 can control: Type 1 Motor
Operated (slow motion switches), Type 2 Snap 3-Wire, and Type 3 Snap 2 wire. Only
one type o turnout can be wired to an AM-1.
Turnout Style
The turnout style allows you to choose a picture o a turnout like the one you are
connecting to the AM-1 such as right hand or le t hand turnout.
Turnout Name
You can give any name you would like to each o the our turnouts so you can easily
identi y them or operation.
Advanced Adjustments
Feed ack Ena le
The controlling device can display the switch position. It can use time to show the
position or it can show the position based upon actual wired eedback signals.
Activation Time
The Activation Time adjustment sets the time the AM-1 will send power to the turnout
to get the turnout to change positions.
Set Position on Power Up
I this option is enabled, the AM-1 will wait or the Power Up Delay Time then set the
position o each switch to the last commanded position be ore the power was turned
o .
Power Up Delay Time
Is the amount o time the AM-1 will wait be ore it sets the positions o each switch
a ter a power on. This is only used i the Set Position on Power Up is enabled. This is
used so in a large system that all the turnouts do not try to move at the same time
during power up. I all the turnouts moved at the same time, the power supply could
be overloaded.
Feedback Wiring
Auxiliary contacts on the turnouts can be used to eedback actual switch positions so
the controlling device’s screen can show the actual position. One side o each switch
must be connected to the R1 or R2 re erence voltage terminals. The other side needs
to be connected to the proper input as shown in table 4. The switches need to be o
type ‘normally open,’ and close when the proper switch position is achieved.
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