MTHTrains HO Bi-Polar Engineer's Manual

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar

Electric Engine

Congratulations! You've just purchased the most
feature-rich and technically advanced HO electric
type locomotive ever produced! This highly
detailed model includes a broader range of
features than you’ll find on any other HO scale
locomotive, including operating pantographs,
smooth performance from a three-scale-mile­per-hour crawl to full throttle; “cruise control” for
steady speeds regardless of curves, switches and
grades; built-in decoders for DCC and the M.T.H.
Digital Command System (DCS); and a full range
of sounds. If you’re looking for modern motive
power that’s accurately detailed, smooth running,
and a great deal of fun to operate, it doesn’t get
any better than this.

Operates on 18” radius curves with Code 70,
Code 83 or Code 100 rails.

PLEASE READ THE MANUAL BEFORE USE AND SAVE

WWW.MTHHOTRAINS.COM

(PS3)

ENGINEER’S GUIDE

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Passenger Station
Announcement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

UNPACKING YOUR ENGINE 4

Removing and Unwrapping Your Engine 4
What Else is in the Box? 4

PRODUCT OVERVIEW 5

Getting to Know Your Engine 5
Engine Diagram 7

SET-UP 7

Coupler Installation 7
Lubrication 10

FEATURES AND OPERATION 11

Pantograph Operation 11
Analog DC (standard DC power pack) 16
DCC Digital Command Control 18
DCS Digital Command System 24

SPECIFICATIONS 26

CARE AND MAINTENANCE 27

Troubleshooting Guide 27

HOW TO ORDER PARTS 33

SERVICE & WARRANTY INFORMATION 35

Service & Warranty Information 35
Limited One-Year Warranty 35

This product may be protected by one or more of the following patents: 6,019,289;
6,280,278; 6,281,606; 6,291,263; 6,457,681; 6,491,263; 6,604,641; 6,619,594; 6,624,537;
6,655,640.

©2010, M.T.H. Electric Trains®, Columbia, MD 21046

CAUTION: ELECTRICALLY OPERATED PRODUCT:

WARNING: When using electrical products, basic safety precautions should be observed, including the following:

Read this manual thoroughly before using this device.

lM.T.H. recommends that all users and persons supervising use examine the hobby transformer and other electronic equipment

periodically for conditions that may result in the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, such as damage to the primary cord,
plug blades, housing, output jacks or other parts. In the event such conditions exist, the train set should not be used until properly
repaired.

lDo not operate your layout unattended. Obstructed accessories or stalled trains may overheat, resulting in damage to your layout.
lThis train set is intended for indoor use. Do not use if water is present. Serious injury or fatality may result.
lDo not operate the hobby transformer with damaged cord, plug, switches, buttons or case.

Recommended for Ages 14 and up. Not recommended for children under 14 years of age without adult supervision. As
with all electric products, precautions should be observed during handling and use to prevent electric shock.

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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QUICK START GUIDE

Of course, you should read your manual over before running your
engine. But if you just can’t wait, choose how you want to run below and
enjoy!! Now, after a few minutes, shut her down and read through your
engineer’s guide.

I USE A REGULAR DC SUPPLY…

Step 1: Unpack your Engine. (refer to unpacking instruction on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Apply increasing DC voltage until she starts up and pulls out!

I'M A DCC OPERATOR….

Step 1: Unpack your Engine. (refer to unpacking instructions on pg 4)…
Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Power up your DCC system…
Step 4: Select engine address 3 and press “F3” to start her up…
Step 5: Turn the throttle and head on down the pike…

I RUN DCS….

Step 1: Unpack your Engine. (refer to unpacking instructions on pg 4)…

Step 2: Set the engine on the track …
Step 3: Power up your DCS system…
Step 4: Add the engine to your system and start her up…
Step 5: Turn the throttle and move out….

CAUTION: M.T.H. HO engines DO NOT OPERATE ON AC

VOLTAGE. Applying AC power to your locomotive could cause permanent

damage and will void your warranty.

Please note, when making setting changes in DCS or DCC, such as address,
please wait a minimum of 5 Seconds after removing power to insure the settings
are stored in the engines memory. Reapplying power in less than 5 Seconds may
result in losing the setting changes.

UNPACKING YOUR ENGINE

Removing and Unwrapping Your Engine

Carefully remove and unwrap the model on a soft surface. By nature, models
with high levels of detail have some small fragile parts.

Carefully remove any foam packing pieces that may be surrounding the model.

Unpacking and Unlatching

Your MTH HO Little Joe is
equipped with Remotely
Controlled, Directionally Activated
Operating Pantographs. When
unpacking the engine the Remotely
Controlled, Directionally Activated
Operating Pantographs are latched
in the down position. O unlatch the
pantographs hold the pantograph at
the sides of the base and pull up on
the slider.

Removing and Re Installing Pantographs

When re-installing the pantographs, make sure that the sliding actuator blocks in
the slots of the roof are pushed to the ends of travel. You may have power up
the engine and make direction change for one of the pantographs.

Collapse the pantograph and align the 4 insulator details with the 4 holes in the
roof. Also align the actuator tang with the slot in roof, while making sure that the
actuator tang is situated between the two sliding actuator block in each slot in the
roof.

Apply slight pressures so that the insulator details are inserted in the roof holes
and the holes in the pantograph frames.

What Else is in the Box?

The following items are packed with your engine.

Engineer's Guide (1)
You probably know that since you're reading it.

Mechanical Kadee-Compatible Couplers (2) with mounting hardware

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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PRODUCT OVERVIEW

Getting to Know Your M.T.H. HO Locomotive

Key Features

Your new HO Diesel Engine is equipped with the exclusive M.T.H. Proto­Sound® 3.0 digital sound and control system. In plain English, this means your
locomotive contains state-of-the-art electronics providing realistic digital sounds,
precisely controlled speed in increments of 1 scale mile per hour, and much,
much, more.

Compatibility

The Proto-Sound 3 system is universally compatible with track power and/or
signal combinations including analog DC (regular DC power pack), DCC
(NMRA Digital Command Control), or DCS (MTH Digital Command System).
Simply set your Engine on the rails, apply any one of these power/signal sources,
and move out! The Proto-Sound 3.0 system automatically senses the track
environment and adapts accordingly. No hidden jumpers, switches, magic wands,
or programming required!!! A vast array of realistic operation is automatic when
the Engine is run on analog DC. You can expand access to features in a DCC
environment. Experience the most your new locomotive has to offer in the
simple to use yet powerful world of DCS. To be clear, DCS is NOT a

proprietary version of DCC, as some other manufacturers offer. DCS is a
comprehensive layout control system designed with one primary goal:
make model trains do amazingly realistic things using a simple and
intuitive controller. We put the complexity on the inside, and the fun in
your hands!

Digital Sound

Your Proto-Sound 3 (PS 3) equipped Engine contains over 100 individual
recordings. These recordings are played back dynamically at appropriate times to
create a symphony of realism for your ears. Hear the diesel roar automatically
intensify or lighten when speeding up or slowing down, listen to the sounds of
brakes squeaking and squealing as you come to a stop, or enjoy the random
conversations of railmen working as your model sits at idle. It's all there and it's
incredible.

Your HO diesel includes built-in realistic horn sound effects, including forward
(two blasts) and reverse (three blasts) signalling and crossing signal sounds, all
available with one-touch control from a DCS controller or through any DCC
controller capable of accessing up to F28.

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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Digital Control

In standard analog DC mode, your model still operates under digital control. The
PS 3 advance speed control system converts track voltage into digital speed
commands. Your model will run smoothly and consistently at any speed
regardless of load, hills, or curves. If you are a DCC user, you'll quickly learn to
appreciate the precision of our speed control and linear speed curve. DCS users
will enjoy the added benefits of controlling speeds in increments of 1 scale mile
per hour displayed on DCS controllers or easily changing acceleration and
deceleration rates independently without any discussion of bits or bytes. To be

clear, DCS is NOT DCC.

Lights

As you read on, you'll notice there are no instructions for replacing light bulbs in
your diesel. That's because there aren't any. We use specially designed and
controlled LEDs to create realistic lighting effects that occur automatically.
Again, NO PROGRAMMING!! Just come to a stop and watch as the headlight
dims automatically in accordance with rule 17. Of course, as you pull away, the
headlight returns to it's fully bright, yet warm, glow. We even included a light in
the cab so the engineers can see to do their jobs!

More…

In analog DC operation, just flip the track polarity or direction switch at any
speed and watch your Engine gradually come to stop, turn on the appropriate
directional lighting, and smoothly accelerate back up to speed. No other HO
locomotive has features like these. There are so many more things to learn and
enjoy about M.T.H. HO Engines, we could write a book. But, that's no fun. So,
if you haven't already done so, flip to the Quick Start Guide and let's run your
new engine!!

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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ENGINE DIAGRAM

Locomotive

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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pantographs

Detailed Horn

Includes Remotely Activated Proto-Coupler™
and interchangeable magnetic coupler, both
Kadee® Compatible

Snow Plow

Powered Wheels

Manual Volume Control

SET-UP

Installing The Mechanical Couplers

If you prefer the mechanical couplers over the remote control Proto-Coupler,
remove the Proto-Couplers by following the steps detailed above and then install
the included mechanical couplers or any other Kadee-compatible couplers by
following the steps above.

SET-UP

Installing Couplers

A pair of shims (one for each coupler) are provided for use with the mechanical
couplers. These shims should be placed between the coupler and the mounting
pad on the pilot trucks. This sets the coupler to the proper mounting height.

Follow the steps below to remove the Remote Control Proto–Coupler and
install the mechanical couplers.

Find a flat and level work surface suitable for disassembling your locomotive.
Place the engine upside down in a cradle or a folded towel. This will stabilize the
locomotive and help prevent the engine from rolling over during the operation.

1. Remove the 2 screws in the bracket that secures the electro coupler coupler.

2. Remove the bracket.

3. Remove the coupler by pulling it forward through the hole in the pilot.

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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Mounting Screws

Identify & Remove Mounting Screws

Bracket

4. Place the clear shim on the coupler mounting pad as shown in fig. below

5. After assembling the mechanical coupler as shown below place the coupler in
the pilot and attached with the screw provided.

6.Using the coupler height gauge of your choice, check the coupler height and
actuator arm setting using the gauge

7.Repeat the procedure for the 2nd coupler.

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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Assembled Coupler

(Shown Right Side UP)

Coupler Height Gauge

Assembled Coupler Mounted

Clear Shim

Lubrication

Using light machine or household oil, apply a very small amount to all axles
points as shown.

Your gearbox is properly greased at the factory and probably never needs service
however, if you run excessive hours pulling heavy loads, it's a good idea to
remove the 2 screws from the gearbox cover and re-grease using M.T.H. gear
grease or equivalent.

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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SET-UP

Lubricate Axles

Lubricate Axles

Oil All Axles

FEATURES AND OPERATION

The MTH HO Little Joe is designed to receive
power through the wheels from the track or
through the pantographs from an overhead
catenary. Under the removable hatch in the
center of the roof is a switch that selects the
track or pantograph for power.

Operation with live catenary – One
direction only!

When the selector switch is moved to the PANTO position, the power
connection from the right side wheels is switched to the pantographs. This
creates a limitation in that the locomotive still uses the left side wheels for the
return path of the power. As a result the locomotive only can operate facing one
direction. If the locomotive is turned 180 degrees on the track with the
pantograph selected and the catenary energized, a short circuit may occur. This is
dependent on the wiring of the layout.

Remotely Controlled, Directionally Activated Operating
Pantograph Operation:

Normal Automatic Operation

In Normal Automatic Operation the pantographs will raise and lower with a
change in the direction of travel of the locomotive.

It takes a few seconds for one pantograph to rise and then for the other to lower.
It is recommended, but not necessary to stop the locomotive completely for each
direction change and wait for the raise and lower cycle to complete before
moving the locomotive.

This is mainly for visual effect and to help ensure that at least one pantograph is
in contact with the catenary. This is especially important if you are using a live
catenary to power your locomotive. Unless at least one of the pantographs is in
contact with the catenary the engine will not receive power

The trailing pantograph will be the raised one and the leading pantograph will be
the lowered one.

Note during a direction change, there will be a short period of time when both
pantographs are raised. This mimics prototype operation to ensure there is no
power interruption from the overhead catenary.

M.T.H. HO Bi-Polar Electric Engine

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Pantograph or Track Power Switch