GP-30 Proto Sound 1 - Manual

Go to MTH website and click service, then manuals and documents on right.  Search for your model #.  Frankly any PS-1 manual from your year model will have the details necessary to operate your unit if your specific model instructions are not available.   G

Yes, I essentially need something that gives me the PS1 sequences on the transformer.

I'm having an issue (On a PS1 unit. PS1 is a POS (piece of sh*t I must say)

Unit has 2 bell and engine sounds.  Doesn't move.  When I shut down I get one bell.   The battery is good, as I do get sounds for about 10 seconds after power shutdown.

Maybe the transformer I am using is not a pure sine wave transformer.  I have a z750 brick with a remote  (the kind you get in a RTR set.)

It is a CSX GP-30 MT-2066LP diesel.

 

So I'm not sure what the issue is

PS1. Finicky? Yep. Far from state of the art? Yep. Left behind, by even the snails pace train control has been improving? Yep. Still quite functional, with some care and help? Yep.

You'll get it running, or a few guys here can, at reasonable prices.

I agree to all those statements Marty.  I am sure I will get it running again.  There is some very talented and knowledgeable techs here on the forum.

If you get two bells and engine start-up, but it won't move, a lot of times that is caused by too much track voltage at startup (you usually want between 6 and 8 volts). You also want to use a "pure AC" transformer like an MTH Z4000 or old Lionel KW or ZW (use an in-line fuse with the old Lionel transfomers). Electronic ones like a CW80 or MRC Dual-power O27 send out a dirty (chopped) sine wave at lower voltages and drive the electronics absolutely nuts.

 

For resetting the engine, if you have a friend or friendly local train operating group with an MTH Z4000 power supply, they can do a quick factory reset on it (reset code 18). That's much easier than using the throttle combinations. 

That's what I am thinking is that it just needs the reset. Hopefully.

I don't think I can do the reset for a couple reasons.

1. I have the remote and not a hand operated lever.

2. I don't think my transformer is compatible, as you state also above. 

 

So a trip to my hobby shop will probably be best.  They are over an hour drive away so I am trying what I can first.  I think I may have an old Lionel 1033 laying around somewhere.  I used to have one but haven't seen it in a few years.  I'll have to check the attic.

As Matt states keep voltage less than 10 and see if it will move.  If not, try a PW transformer.  Or raise voltage high and bring down to about half and back up full.  You should get 1 ding.  Do it again and see if you can get a second ding.  If not, chances are the software has a conflict and it needs to be reset.

 

Hopefully it is just voltage set above 10V.

 

This tech is from 1985.  What where you running then?  A mechanical buzzing e-unit and relay operated whistle?  Everything sounded the same?  Sure if was left behind, it was conventional ops pushed to the limit.  Hence the sensitivity to voltage and battery because the train can do things no other conventional train can do with simple voltage changes and a bell and whistle button. Activate sound effects, fire a coupler, do a station stop affect, change volume and chuff rate electronically, etc.... 

 

Once you get the basics I think you will enjoy it.  G

Having a remote is a hint that it's a new power supply. What kind of remote/transformer combination are you using?

It is just a Z750 with the little basic hand held remote from an MTH RTR set with PS2.

Try your PW1033

 

I 'll give this a try with the 1033 if I can find it.  I don't think I'll have much luck doing that with the basic remote controller.

 

I have a lot of old Lionel, K-Line.  My first MTH was a RTR set with a Penssy 6-8-6 steam turbine with PS2.  I do enjoy the PS2 very much.  I think the PS1 is a pain with all it's quirky issues that relate to a battery going low\dead.   I am hoping that I can get this CSX GP-30 running.  It is a good looking unit and I got it at a very reasonable price.  I have been buying some stuff off eBay to start off.  I have always had trains since the 60's.  I am not into the modeling aspect of trains.  I don't have the time or the artistic skills for it.  I just like to run the trains.  Seems like whether you have the modeling or not on your layout everyone still loves them. 

Having similar problems with a PS1 2-6-0 Steamer (knew about when purchased). I did download the manual, but the pages pertaining to reset procedures are blank.  Pages 13 -35 are blank.  Have not searched for other PS1 manuals to determine if the pages were intentionally left blank, or if it's just this manual. 

http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...ction/30st10605i.pdf

 

Try the above link page 18.  G

Mahalo Plenty G!

 

Alan

G, That will work for me.  I intend to look for my 1033 transformer tonight.  Hopefully I have it and can try the reset procedure.

I'll keep you posted.

I dug out my 1033 transformer and hooked it up.  The GP-30 runs great with the 1033 transformer.  When I try the GP-30 again using the Z750 it does not run.   So it turns out the Z750 transformer I have is not compatible with this early model GP-30 with PS1.

So all is well with this diesel. 

 

I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.

 

Happy New Year

 

Gary

It is not the brick, but the method the remote uses to adjust voltage.  Unless you have the DCS remote cdr in which case that won't work at all.  If you had the Z-750 with the throttle assembly that should work. 

 

Glad you got it working.  G

I has been my understanding that the remote setup (If it's the MTH remote I think it is.) is not compatible with PS-1.  But glad your locomotive works.  I love the PS-1 engines personally.  I have close to a dozen and no fear of buying more.

Yes mine has the MTH remote with a Z750 brick.  I am going to look for a controller that I can use with it.  I believe they can be purchased separately from the brick.

I also slid a switch on the bottom of the diesel to see if shuts off the sound.  However it doesn't.  Not sure what its for.  Anyone know?  There is no smoke unit for this diesel either.  It is a CSX GP-30 MT-2066LP diesel

 

Volume is a rotatable knob, usually a slotted one under the frame.  That switch selects fwd or rear coupler.

 

Once the train is running, if you go to neutral, raise voltage full and press the whistle/horn button you will hear the coupler arm.  Release button, lower voltage to a more reasonable level and go back to running the train.  The next time you hit the whistle button, the coupler you selected will fire and open.

 

This was older tech, so only one at a time could be operated for MTH.  You can rearm and refire over and over.  Go to MTH site and pick a diesel from before 2000 and you will get a PS-1 instruction.  All effectively work the same.   If you had smoke there would be an on off for the smoke.  PS-1 smoke runs off track power.  G

GGG, thanks, I had no clue that switch selected the couplers.