Acquired a 2003 K-line diesel engine with powered A & B units, without instruction manual. On the lead engine, there is a "PCM" switch and a "Cruise Control" switch. What is the PCM switch for and when should you engage it? Thanks...
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It’s probably the Program switch for resetting the engine or changing it’s ID number.
Is it stamped “PGM” perhaps? That would be the program switch.
My K-Line F3 with Cruise has a Cruise ON OFF. Another switch is PGM-RUN. Maybe some paint has been scraped off the "G"?
Pete
With the aid of a magnifying glass, it is PGM! As far as running in conventional, the switch would never need to be set to PGM? Thanks to all for your comments...
On some TMCC engines putting the program switch in program locks the engine in one direction in conventional like the lever in a mechanical E unit. That may or may not apply to K-Line Cruise but won't hurt to try if that is ever needed.
Pete
@Capetrainman posted:With the aid of a magnifying glass, it is PGM! As far as running in conventional, the switch would never need to be set to PGM? Thanks to all for your comments...
Pretty sure in conventional mode, the switch serves as a direction lock function.
Useful if you wanted to set up some sort of control to stop and restart conventional engines without having them change direction with loss of power. (automated stopping and re-starting at a bascule or lift bridge so the train doesn't drive off into the abyss when bridge is raised, etc)
So if you are not interested in doing that, then no, there is no reason to take it out of "run" in conventional mode.
-Dave
Actually, in all TMCC locomotives with the R2LC or equivalent, the switch in PGM mode serves as a direction lock.
