M.T.H. EMD F40PH DIESELLOCOMOTIVE Operating Instructions Manual - Proto-Coupler Operation
13
F40PH Diesel Operating Manual
PROTO-COUPLER OPERATION
Your
EMD
F40PH
ProtoSound-equipped
locomotive
has
two
coil-wound
ProtoCouplers™ for remote uncoupling action. The couplers are mounted on the power
trucks. Because the ProtoCoupler is controlled through ProtoSound’s microprocessor, it
doesn’t’t require an uncoupling track section or modification to your layout to function. The
three simple steps below are required to operate the coupler.
1.
Put your engine in NEUTRAL and turn the throttle all the way up.2.
Press the
transformer whistle button to “Arm" the coupler. (You will hear a “Clank")3. After arming
the coupler, press the whistle button again to open the coupler.
When the knuckle fires open you will
hear the buzzing of the coil energizing
and the sound of the air lines coming
apart.
It can best be described as a
CHA-CHUSHHH sound.
The coupler
doesn’t’t have to be fired in NEUTRAL.
Once the coupler is armed it can be fired
in
Forward,
Neutral
or
Reverse.
However, you may find that the coupler
doesn’t’t open when firing the coupler at
high
speeds.
Reduce the voltage
setting on your transformer if this occurs
and run your engine at a slower speed
before firing the coupler. If the coupler continues to open erratically, try lubricating the
knuckle with light oil as indicated in Fig. 5.
For multiple heading purposes, only one of the two Proto-Couplers will function at any one
time. Use the coupler direction switch as shown in Fig. 1 on page 3 to select either the front
or rear coupler. Simply slide the switch toward the direction of the coupler you want to
make active.
SELF-RECHARGING BATTERY BACKUP SYSTEM
ProtoSounds™ state-of-the-art design includes a self-recharging battery backup system
for improved performance at any speed.
The self-recharging battery backup system is
automatically turned on or off whenever track power is turned on or off. There are no
switches to turn on or off to enjoy the benefits of the automatic battery backup system. The
battery ensures that power to the sound system will remain on during directional changes,
setting RESET options, or when traveling over dirty track and switches.
The battery is a rechargeable NiCad type which is continually charged from the track when
power is applied. NiCad batteries are a dry battery and should not leak or cause any
damage to your locomotive and will last up to five years or longer. If you notice that the
sounds seem distorted or garbled at low voltages or become silent when power from the
Figure 5: Lubricating The Proto-Coupler™
Lubricate Coupler Rivet