Ring Engineering AM-1S User manual

Model Railroad
Accessory Module (AM-1S)
User Manual
Ring Engineering Inc.
(219) 322-0279
.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 accessories like Turntables, Swing Bridges, Oil Pumps, Control lights
in buildings / houses etc. You can add sounds and actions to things like arms
and passenger stations and much more! You can use the AM-1S to control
motors, lights, and play sounds by using a RailPro controller such as the HC-2
handheld controller with color touch screen. You can use the Ring Engineering
RailPro Assistant So tware to load projects Ring Engineering provides or even
build custom Projects or your AM-1S! You can add your own picture and include
custom logic to add some intelligence to your projects too!
Introduction.............................................................................2
Warnings..................................................................................3
Direct Radio.............................................................................3
Installation...............................................................................3
Status Indicator Light............................................................11
Reset Switch..........................................................................11
Terminal Connections...........................................................12
Warranty ................................................................................12
FCC Statement ......................................................................12
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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
Ste 1 – Mount your AM-1S
Position the AM-1S near the products that you plan to wire to the AM-1S under
your layout. Use at least 2 screws and mount the AM-1S. I only using two
screws, be sure the screws are located in opposite corners. The red arrows in
igure 1 below identi y mounting holes.
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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. Never connect AC power
supplies to the AM-1.
WARNING: Connecting improper electrical devices to the AM-1S (such as devices
with to low o a voltage, current, or power rating) may case a ire.
The output or motors is high requency pulse width modulation to control speed.
WARNING: Some motors can overheat and may become a ire hazard. Be sure the
motor you connect to the module is sa e or pulse width modulation speed control.
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: Operate and store in dry environment only.
Relative Humidity: Operating 20% to 90% non-condensing, Storage 10% to 95% non-
condensing
WARNING: This product is not recommended or persons under ourteen (14) years
o age.
WARNING: There are no user serviceable parts inside. Return to Ring Engineering
or repair.
WARNING: Temperature: Operating 32F to 80F, Storage 0F - 110F

Ste 2 – Connect the Power
Be sure the power supply you are going to connect to the AM-1S 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.
NOTE: The AM-1S is not polarity sensitive. You can connect either power supply
wire to the ‘P1’ or ‘P2’ connectors.
The AM-1S is equipped with spring-loaded terminals or ast and secure
connections that do not require a tool. To connect a wire to the 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
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o the terminal block, release the orange button to secure the wire into the
terminal block. Give the wire a tug to be sure it is securely connected.
Figure 3.
Ste 3 – “Find Product” on your Controlling Device
Power up the AM-1S and press the “Find Product” button on your controlling
device such as the HC-2 handheld controller. I you look in the Accessories
Page you will see a new picture o a AM-1S.
Ste 4 – Load a Project File to the AM-1S
Use the RailPro Assistant So tware to either load an existing project (like a
Turntable project) or create a new custom project or the AM-1S. Follow the
directions in the RailPro Assistant So tware User Manual to create and load a
project to the AM-1S.
Ste 5 – Connect the Electronics to be controlled
Be sure the power is turned off before connecting or disconnecting
any wires to the A -1S.
After the electronics are connected your AM-1S is ready to use!
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Wire Gauge
Minimum #30
Maximum #16

Wire a S eaker
Switch Terminals
Speaker 1 S1
Speaker 2 S2
IMPORTANT: Speaker can be rom 4 to 16 ohms. AM-1S can drive up
to 1.2 Watts o power into a 8 ohm speaker. The AM-1S will drive up to
2.0 Watts o power into a 4 ohm speaker.
TIP: You can parallel two 8 ohm speakers to provide a 4 ohm load the
AM-1S.
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Wire LEDs
(Only 'Light 1' connection shown)
You can connect up to 8 lights to the sourcing outputs on the AM-1S.
Connection terminals or all lights to the sourcing outputs.
Switch Terminals
Light 1 O1
Light 2 O2
Light 3 O3
Light 4 O4
Light 5 O5
Light 6 O6
Light 7 O7
Light 8 O8
Using LED’s without resistors can damage the LED’s! Use 1k Ohm
1/4 W for 15mA or 750 Ohm 1/2W for 20mA.
If you use the wrong resistor, it is possible to generate enough heat to
ignite flammable material, and cause a fire.
IMPORTANT: The sourcing outputs o the AM-1S (O1 - O8) output 14 volts and
the return must be wired to the C1 (common) connection.
IMPORTANT: The maximum allowed current or outputs O1 - O8 is 400mA per
point continuous and 400mA continuous or all points combined. Some
acceptable examples would include: 1) Two 200mA loads run at the same time
or 2) Four 400mA loads but only one run at a time.
IMPORTANT: Since O1 - O8 are sourcing outputs, the positive side o the LED
must be connected toward the output terminal and not toward the common
terminal. I a LED is wired backward it will not light up.
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Wire Light Bulbs
(Only 'Light 1' connection shown)
You can connect up to 8 lights to the sourcing outputs on the AM-1S.
Connection terminals or all lights to the sourcing outputs are displayed below.
Switch Terminals
Light 1 O1
Light 2 O2
Light 3 O3
Light 4 O4
Light 5 O5
Light 6 O6
Light 7 O7
Light 8 O8
Be sure any light connected to a A -1S can withstand 14 volts.
IMPORTANT: The sourcing outputs o the AM-1S (O1 - O8) output 14 volts and
the return must be wired to the C1 (common) connection.
IMPORTANT: The maximum allowed current or outputs O1-O8 is 400mA per
point continuous and 400mA continuous or all points combined. Some
acceptable examples would include: 1) Two 200mA loads run at the same time
or 2) Four 400mA loads but only one run at a time.
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Wire Motors
(Only 'Motor 1' connection shown)
You can connect up to 4 motors to the AM-1S.
Connection terminals or all motors are displayed below.
Switch Terminals
Motor 1 O1 O2
Motor 2 O3 O4
Motor 3 O5 O6
Motor 4 O7 O8
Be sure any motor connected to a A -1S can withstand 14 volts and
will not over heat while being speed controlled with high frequency pulse
width modulation.
IMPORTANT: The motor should have stall currents o 1 Amp or less. The
maximum allowed current or outputs O1-O8 is 400mA per point continuous and
400mA continuous or all points combined. Some acceptable examples would
include: 1) Two 200mA motors run at the same time or 2) Four 400mA motors
but only one run at a time.
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Wire In uts
(Only 'Input 1' and 'Input 2' connections are shown).
You can connect up to 8 Inputs to the AM-1S.
See below or the proper terminals to connect the 8 Inputs to.
Switch Terminals
Input 1 IO1
Input 2 IO2
Input 3 IO3
Input 4 IO4
Input 5 IO5
Input 6 IO6
Input 7 IO7
Input 8 IO8
IMPORTANT: When one o the Re erence Signals (R1 or R2) is connected to
the input, the input will be read as ON in the Project Program.
The input switches can be push buttons, toggle switches, reed switches,
proximity switches etc.
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Adjustments
Name
The reason to give your AM-1S a name is so you can tell it apart rom another
AM-1S. I you had two or more AM-1S’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-1S on your controlling device. You can give the AM-1S any name that you
would like.
Password
You can set a password in your AM-1S. When shipped rom the actory, your
AM-1S’s password is blank. When the password is blank, any RailPro controlling
device can detect and control your AM-1S. Since RailPro uses Direct Radio, it is
possible to detect and control your AM-1S rom over 100 t away. In other words,
it is possible or your neighbor to control your AM-1S. However, i you put a
password into your AM-1S, then your neighbor will not be able to detect or
control your AM-1S.
TIP: It is ok to give each RailPro accessory module the same password.
Sound Volume
Press the Sound Volume Control and turn the knob on the controlling device
such as the HC-2 to increase or decrease the volume.
TIP: The Volume control is real time! You can start the sounds playing then as
you turn the volume control you will hear the volume level change!
Status Indicator Light
The indicator light will be green when the AM-1S is powered up and ready to be
controlled. The indicator light is yellow while it is powering up. You will need to
wait or the indicator light to turn green be ore using the AM-1S. The indicator
light will turn red i the AM-1S has aulted.
Reset Switch
Will cause the AM-1S to reset. The reset switch should not be used or normal
operation. The reset switch can be used in place o cycling power to reset an
unknown password. When a controlling device asks you to cycle the power on
the product to reset the password, you can simply press the reset switch instead
o disconnecting the power wires.
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Terminal Connections
Terminal Description
P1-P2 Power Inputs
S1 - S2 Speaker Connections
V1 +5 Volts power supply
C1 Common
R1 – R2 Re erence Signal or use with inputs IO1 – IO8
IO1 – IO8 Programmable Input or Output Pins (Sinking Outputs -
connects to common)
O1 – O8 Output Pins. (Sourcing outputs - Provides +14 Volts power)
OP1 – OP4 + Voltage Source (Connected to Power Supply Voltage)
Warranty
Limited One Year Warranty
Ring Engineering, Inc. (Ring Engineering) warrants that or a period o one year rom the date o purchase, this product
will be ree rom de ects in material and workmanship. Ring Engineering, at its option, will repair or replace this product or
any component o the product ound to be de ective during the warranty period. Replacement will be made with new or
remanu actured product or component. I the product is no longer available, replacement may be made with a similar
product o equal or greater value. This is your exclusive warranty.
This warranty is valid or the original retail purchaser rom the date o initial retail purchase and is not trans erable. Ring
Engineering dealers, distributors, or retail stores selling Ring Engineering products do not have the right to alter, modi y,
or any way change the terms and conditions o this warranty.
The warranty does not cover normal wear o parts or damage resulting rom negligent misuse o the product. Further, the
warranty does not cover Acts o God, such as ire, lood, hurricanes, and tornadoes.
Ring Engineering shall not be liable or any incidental or consequential damages caused by the breach o any express or
implied warranty or condition. Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law, any implied warranty o merchantability or
itness or a particular purpose is limited in duration to the duration o the above warranty. Ring Engineering disclaims all
other warranties or conditions, express or implied statutory or otherwise. Some states or jurisdictions do not allow the
exclusion or limitation o incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the
above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you speci ic legal rights, and you may also have
other rights that vary rom state to state.
This warranty is void i there was an attempt to repair the product, or the product was repaired by non-authorized Ring
Engineering personnel.
To obtain warranty service contact Ring Engineering at:
Email: in [email protected]
or Phone (219) 322-0279
to get a return authorization and return instructions.
I your Ring Engineering product is not covered by warranty, or has been damaged, an estimate o repair costs or
replacement costs will be provided to you or approval prior to servicing or replacement.
FCC Statement
This equipment has been tested and ound to comply with the limits or a Class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 o the
FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harm ul inter erence in a residential
installation. This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio requency energy and, i not installed and used in
accordance with the instructions, may cause harm ul inter erence to radio communications. However, there is no
guarantee that inter erence will not occur in a particular installation. I this equipment does cause harm ul inter erence to
radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment o and on, the user is encouraged to try
to correct the inter erence by one or more o the ollowing measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit di erent rom that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician or help.
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