@Newt posted:Just purchased a MTH Tinplate Std Gauge #9E Loco with PS1 that has the same issue. I tried three different transforms with only minor results from one.
- MTH Z-500 - would not leave Reset Mode
- MTH Z-1000 - would not leave Reset Mode
- Lionel CW80 - occassionally would exit Reset Mode and run in foward direction. This took a lot of effort and is in no way considered a good option.
Shouldn't have to purchase a specific transformer (Z-4000) to run one engine. I think I'll try my old post-war Lionel transformer tonight. Any other suggestions?
This issue has been raised many, many, many, many, many times on this forum.
PS1's are very picky, especially the oldest ones.
There are two methods for successfully leaving the initial reset state. One applies to the very oldest PS1 models, perhaps just the very first year of production. The other, which has instructions that seem to completely contradict the first method, applies to everything else.
Yes, as mentioned by @PH1975, there is a chart listing recommended transformers in the respective MTH instruction manuals, but these charts can be wrong or incomplete. For instance most of them imply that Lionel TMCC (via a PowerMaster or TPC) won't work. This was clearly true for the early stuff but newer PowerMaster models have special software in them and a 1-added-component hardware update that allows them to control PS1's just fine. In fact, so far for me, this is the only reliable way I have to get my PS1's out of 'reset' every time, or almost every time (9 out of every 10 attempts for any given locomotive).
Here are the 'official' directions, with plenty of warnings mixed in, for successfully operating PS1, early models (thanks to @mort1345):
And follow this link to see what I use, all on later models, each successful 9 times out of 10:
In my opinion the model of transformer or supply, e.g. Lionel PowerMaster or MTH TIU, is less important than how you apply the power. What voltage to you set the transformer, PM, or TIU to upon power-up? How long does it need to sit at this voltage, what voltage do you go to next? Zero? 8 Volts? Above 10 Volts?
Read the above references carefully and you'll figure it out.
Here's my quick take; try your existing transformers:
- Apply power to a setting more than 10 VAC; you'll get two dings.
- Hold it there for at least 30 seconds if it's been sitting for more than a week; 10 secs should be fine otherwise.
- Reduce to below 8 VAC but not all the way off; you'll get a sound that reminds me of the transmission on old Buick dropping into Drive
- Hit the Direction button.
It should roll immediately, unless it's locked in 'neutral'.
Good luck, and let us know when you get them working.
Mike
