Reply to "What did you do on your layout today?"

RSJB18 posted:

Pat Kn posted:

Bob, PS1 can be tricky to startup. I have a few of them and they run great. 

1. Charge up the BCR the first time you run the engine for the day. I usually let it sit at 12 - 15 volts for about a minute. 
2. Turn the power off and wait for the engine to completely turn off. You should hear the engine burp when it's reset.
3. Bring the power up to Below 10 Volts (I use ~8V). Then hit the direction button to go forward. You can now raise the voltage. If the startup voltage was too high, you will hear the clang sound to indicate the engine is in reset and it will not run.

Once you get the knack of it, it's not bad. Good Luck.

Thanks Pat- this is very helpful to a Proto-newbie. I know for sure that I was expecting it to perform like a typical throttle-controlled engine and take off when power was applied. I will try your procedure tonight.

Bob

So the engine lives! But apparently it doesn't like a CW-80. I put it on the layout with my KW and it took off, bell rings, horn works. More to learn about PS-1 but it runs.

Now if you will excuse me- I will be dragging my POS CW-80 down the street behind my car!

Bob