Protosound

Which version, 1, 2, or 3?  PS-2 and PS-3 belong here, PS-1 goes same place as conventional locomotives.

Just "Protosound", not 2 or 3. Thanks

No problem.  I have 11 Protosound locomotives and love them.  The best sound systems for conventional locomotives hands down, IMHO.

Hey Sinclair; I would like to see a category for Protosound, aka "PS-1". Rather than having to sort through all the other "traditional" stuff. Anyone else think this way?  How about the editor?

ChoChoWally

I think the main issue is that not many people run them any more, but those that do have them figured out so that they don't need much help anymore, or know who to ask, so there isn't much posted about them.  Also, it's only a sound system, just like Lionel's RTR Railsounds, how be it a better sounding one and is also programmable, but still a conventional locomotive at heart.  And the admins seem to like to keep things simple here on the forums.  What is it you are look for about/with PS-1?

And good pullers.

I'm looking for possible "shortcuts" on operation; the "click & clack" seems so ponderous

(I've done little of it). I have learned to utilize a full sine wave transformer like a ZW to make PS-1 go. My Greenbrier has an unusual switch setup on the bottom of the tender: no "Smoke on-off" switch button (identified), but does have "coal<->aux"" on-off on the left side ahead of the rear truck, and an open hole (where a switch should be) on the opposite (right) side. I took the shell off and there is no evidence that anything was ever mounted where the open switch hole is located. Also, there is a four-hole receiver plug (like the one to the engine but thinner)from the board to the rear of the tender that was unatteched inside the tender. I'm concerned about the smoke generator, which looks fine now, but how do I know if it's off or on? The engine-tender runs great; sound was very loud so I turned the volume screw CCW some; have not tried it again. Rubber tires could be replaced, just a bit loose. Have not looked up tire replacement sequence in manual; probably involves removing side rods, etc.  

Wally

Whoops! I just found the smoke switch on the ENGINE! Woe is me (Can I use my 77 yrs as an excuse?).  When picking up a piece of equipment, I'm always concerned that I might cause damage to plastic or metal. Any suggestions?

Wally

What is the catalog number of your locomotive?  I have to admit I have never seen a coal/aux switch on a tender.  In fact of the 4 steamers I have, none have a switch on them.  They do have a hole for the direction lockout switch that would of been on non-ProtoSound equipped locomotives.  And yes, the smoke switch is always under the cab of the locomotive, to reduce the number of wires in the tether.

As for the clinks and clanks of programming, yes it can be a pain when you want feature 40, lockout.  But I don't mind it over all because I settled upon how I want my locomotives programed, so when I get a new (To me.) one I always follow the same procedure.  I reset it with feature 18, then I then turn cab chatter off if it has it, I turn the freight/passenger announcements off, turn horn/whistle in neutral on, and turn lockout on.  And because it will always remember those settings, I never have to do it again even if the battery dies and gets replaced.  The only time I have to redo it is if I replace the boards or chip if a board fails.  Also if you have command control, both DCS and TMCC have provisions to make programming the PS-1 locomotives simpler.  I have also found them to be not as picky about a pure sine power like people claim.  All of mine work with the CW-80 just fine.  Some do require a lighted car on the track with it, or else the whistle/horn blows all the time, but that isn't much of an issue to me since I always have a caboose or passenger car on the track.  But you do have to be careful as it might lock the direction.  That threw me for a couple of days when I thought my locomotive was broken, only to realize it was locked in neutral.  My advise is to make 100% sure the battery is good and charged, and then play with it.  You can't hurt it as long as the battery is strong, and if you think you messed up on the programming just cut the power and let it sit a minute and then try again.  Read the manual cover to cover at least twice and then go play with your great toy.

Thanks for all the tips, Sinclair. I tend to read through the manual and then go back and re-read in spurts as I need it. Maybe someone else has heard of the "coal-aux" switch(?). 

C&O cab #614; MTH 20-3035-1

Wally

Possibly a "pass through' switch for marker lamps or rear lamp for reverse, and the proto coupler? That's the only thing I can think of for the Aux tender switch.

The coal/aux switch is for if the engine has an auxiliary water tender behind the locomotive tender. It switches the coupler from the locomotive tender's coupler to the water tender coupler. If the tender has the switch, it also has another connector plug inside the tender. Also illuminates the water tender's rear light.

Odd that the manual says noting about the switch (I just read it online.).  But what Chuck says makes sense.  Learned something new about these beauties.

Choo Choo Wally:

Good luck finding the mating Aux Tender ! I'd never heard of them, then again PS2 was out when I jumped in.

I have a couple PS1 engines and I love the sound in them.

Since I'd lose the sound if I upgraded to PS2 I am going to put ERR AC/DC Commanders in them. This will allow me to run them in Command Mode and retain the sounds I love.

Wally,

 I don't think you engine ever had the option for a aux. tender. My guess that the  same frame stamping on your tender was used on several different tenders. That is why just an open space for a switch.

I've had several of the aux water tenders, though not a C&O one.

Chuck, on my Greenbrier, it does have the "pass through" plug to the rear of the tender. So the "coal-aux" switch is probably active. Under what name or number would I search for the auxillary(?) tender?  That would be a unique feature. Russell, I use "Choo Choo as my local club monicker; messed up on the spelling when I enrolled in OGR Forum. Please explain further your "ERR AC/DC Commanders in them" Exactly what Command Mode?Thanks everybody. A nice, informative discussion. Now I can't sell this one until I have it complete, and then....  Woe is me; I need more $$ to buy more trains. Come see me in White Hall (probably) at York.

ChooChoo/ChoCho Wally