ProtoThrottle User Manual ¶

Download¶

PDF Manual - for on-screen viewing

Printable Manual - must be printed double sided (flip on short edge)

Menu Map - legal size

Note

This online ProtoThrottle manual below is a work in progress. In the meantime, for the complete manual, please see the PDF versions above.

Overview¶

Our goal was to design and develop a wireless throttle that provides the diesel modeler with the most realistic experience operating their model locomotives.

The ProtoThrottle mimics a standard EMD control stand including full detent throttle and reverser handles, a spring-loaded horn handle, a push-on/push-off bell button, and fully programmable front and rear headlights with a setting for ditch lights. In addition, the ProtoThrottle comes with a robust faceplate machined from aluminum, including prototype bezels, and anodized to give the look and feel of a real control stand.

The ProtoThrottle comes with our commitment to your satisfaction. We warranty the throttle from manufacturing defects for one year, and if you should have any questions or issues with the ProtoThrottle, please contact us.

Controls¶

Battery Install¶

The ProtoThrottle is powered by 2 AA batteries (not included). The batteries can be alkaline or rechargeable NiMH.

To access the battery holder, unscrew the 4 phillips head screws on the corners of the throttle’s faceplate; remove the box; IMPORTANT: when removing the batteries from the holder, use one hand to hold both sides of the holder to prevent it from bending away from the printed circuit board; insert batteries and reattach the box. Do not over tighten the screws.

To conserve battery life: make sure the throttle handle is in “idle” position and the reverser handle is in “centered” position when not in use. This will cause the throttle to go to sleep after 5 minutes. To power down manually, see the Main Screen instructions.

Quick Start Guide¶

Note

If the ProtoThrottle is in ”sleep” mode the LCD screen will be dark, click any of the LCD buttons to wake the throttle.

The ProtoThrottle will work with any scale and with sound- or non-sound decoders (though using sound enhances the control stand experience signifi- cantly). Any DCC decoder compatible with the NMRA standards will work with the ProtoThrottle because it uses standard DCC commands and functions via your command station.. The ProtoThrottle is not a DCC system and will not replace the system you use.

Check the Iowa Scaled Engineering website for the most current list of supported DCC command stations.

Step 1

Configure your ProtoThrottle receiver using the instructions provided with the receiver. Make sure the base address of the ProtoThrottle matches that of the receiver. If using multiple ProtoThrottles, set each throttle to a unique ID. (See Communication Configuration Menu)

Step 2

Using your DCC system, set acceleration momentum (CV3) mid-range to moderately high so that the ProtoThrottle will need to “notch up” to get the train moving.

Set deceleration momentum (CV4) high or maximum. This will allow the train to “coast” when the throttle is in the idle position requiring the use of the brake to slow or stop the train.

Step 3

Input the locomotive number into the ProtoThrottle:

Click the Menu button 5 times
```
     SET
ā-  LOCO
```
Click the Select button once
```
  0003þþ
  ^
```
Use the Up and Down buttons to change numbers
```
  4003þþ
  ^
```
Use the Menu button to move cursor right
```
  4003þþ
   ^
```
Repeat to enter the rest of the numbers
```
  4795þþ
     ^
```
After number is input, click Select button to save
```
 SAVED!þ
þ
```

See Set Locomotive Menu for how to set a short (primary) address.

NOTE: The ProtoThrottle function settings are set to standard DCC function numbers by default. If you need to change any function number, the steps are explained below:

Step 4

To check or set the horn, bell, and brake function numbers:

Click the Menu button 7 times
```
  CONFIG
ā-  FUNC
```
Click the Select button once
```
HORNþþþþ
F02
```
Click the Up or Down button to change the function number
```
HORNþþþþ
F07
```
Click Menu button to toggle through the other function choices. Repeat to change additional functions.
```
BRAKEþþþ
F10
```
Click the Select button to save all changes
```
 SAVED!þ
þ
```

Step 5

Enjoy operating your locomotive!

Please read the entire manual to familiarize yourself with all the features of the ProtoThrottle. See our website for more specific instructions on programming.

In addition, our website has detailed operational scenarios developed by professional locomotive engineer, Tim Garland. If you are not familiar with prototype operation from a engineer’s perspective, Tim’s scenarios will give you insight on how to operate more realistically using the ProtoThrottle.

Main Screen¶

ĉ 0250 Č
Ē12:00ĎČ

Locomotive Address. Long (extended) addresses are displayed directly (e.g. 0250 0000 9999). Short (primary) addresses are displayed with an ‘s’ prefix (e.g. s003 s000 s127).

In certain situations the locomotive address may be replaced by an alert message:

EMRG Emergency stop is active! Note: move the brake handle all the way left to deactivate.

REV! Reverser was moved with the throttle not in idle|

ĉ 0250 Č
Ē12:00ĎČ

The ProtoThrottle acts as a secondary display for Iowa Scaled Engineering’s wireless fast clocks www.iascaled.com/store/MRBW-FCM or the fast time provided by the NCE Cab Bus.

Ď 12-hour mode AM indicator ď 12-hour mode PM indicator

No AM or PM indicator when in 24-hour mode.

ĉ 0250 Č
Ē12:00ĎČ

Battery Status:

ĉ Batteries good

Ċ Batteries low

ċ Replace batteries

Display will show LOW BATTERY when the batteries are critically low. Operation will not be possible until the batteries are replaced.

ĉ 0250 Č
Ē12:00ĎČ

When Ē is on screen the auxiliary button is active

ĉ 0250 Č
Ē12:00ĎČ

Up/Down Button Status. On the main screen, the Up and Down buttons can be assigned to functions. The on/off status of those assigned functions are displayed on the LCD screen.

Č Function off

č Function on

Note: pressing and holding the Menu button (upper left LCD button) momentarily will return you to the main screen from any of the main menus.

The Up and Down buttons can be assigned a function using the Configure Function menu.

Pressing and holding the Select button for a few seconds will prompt to power down the throttle:

POWER
DOWN  -Ā

Click the Down button to confirm and turn off the throttle.

	Navigation
Advance to Engine Menu Toggle backlight on/off hold to power down throttle	LCD SCREEN	Up Down

 ENGINE 
  OFF

The behavior of the Engine menu depends on the configuration of the ENG ON and ENG STOP settings in the Configure Function menu.

For DCC decoders that take a single function on/off to turn the prime mover on/off (such as ESU Loksound or TCS WOWSound decoders), configure ENG ON to that function number and set ENG STOP to off (F--). The Engine menu will then change between OFF and ON when pressing the Up and Down buttons.

 ENGINE 
   OFF

 ENGINE 
   ON

If a decoder is edge triggered instead (requires a function on/off transition) to turn the prime mover on and off (such as Soundtraxx Tsunami2), set both ENG ON and ENG STOP to the appropriate function numbers. In this case, the Engine menu will display STARTING and STOPPING be- tween the ON and OFF settings as the assigned functions are sent to the locomotive decoder.

 ENGINE 
   OFF

 ENGINE 
STARTING

 ENGINE 
   ON

 ENGINE 
STOPPING

 ENGINE 
   OFF

If the throttle is not in idle when attempting to turn off the prime mover, a warning will be displayed and the ENG STOP function will not be sent. Move the throttle back to idle to continue.

 ENGINE 
NOT IDLE

Example #1, F8 for ESU Loksound or F12 for TCS WOWSound:

ENG ON = F08      ENG ON = F12
ENG STOP = F--    ENG STOP = F--

Example #2, F5 (on, RPM+) and F6 (off, RPM-) for Soundtraxx Tsunami 2:

ENG ON = F05
ENG STOP = F06

	Navigation
Advance to Special Functions Menu Return to Main Screen	LCD SCREEN	Start or turn on prime mover Stop or turn off prime mover

 SPECIAL
ā- FUNCS

This screen provides access to the special functions of the ProtoThrottle. Currently, one special function is available: a brake test simulator.

	Navigation
Advance to Load Configuration Menu Enter Special Functions	LCD SCREEN	None None

LOAD CNF
01: 0250

The Load Configuration screen loads a set of existing configuration settings that were previously saved using the Save Configuration screen.

LOAD CNF
01: 0250

01: Configuration Number. Up to 20 distinct configurations (locomotive address, function mappings, throttle notch settings, options) can be stored in the ProtoThrottle and loaded quickly using this menu.

0250 Locomotive Address. This is the locomotive address associated with the selected configuration number.

Press the Select button to load the configuration.

CONFIRM
LOAD  -Ā

Before loading the selected configuratoin, you will be asked to confirm by pressing the Down button. To cancel, click the Menu button.

	Navigation
Advance to Save Configuration Menu Load Selected Configuration and return to Main Screen	LCD SCREEN	Increase Configuration Number Decrease Configuration Number

SAVE CNF
01: 0250

The Save Configuration screen saves the current loaded configuration (with any changes you’ve made) into whatever configuration slot is on the screen. In order to copy an established configuration, you must load it into the throttle first before “saving” it to another slot.

SAVE CNF
01: 0250

01: Configuration Number. Up to 20 distinct configurations (locomotive address, function mappings, throttle notch settings, options) can be stored in the ProtoThrottle and saved using this menu.

0250 Locomotive Address. This is the locomotive address associated with the selected configuration number.

Press the Select button to save the configuration.

CONFIRM
SAVE  -Ā

Before saving the selected configuratoin, you will be asked to confirm by pressing the Down button. To cancel, click the Menu button.

	Navigation
Advance to Set Locomotive Menu Save Selected Configuration and return to Main Screen	LCD SCREEN	Increase Configuration Number Decrease Configuration Number

     SET
ā-  LOCO

This screen lets you change the currently selected locomotive address.

NOTE: To set a short (primary) address, the first digit will need to display an “s”. To do so, make sure the other three digits are first set to a valid short address value (<128). Then, cycle through the first digit until the “s” appears.

	Navigation
Advance to Force Function Menu Enter Set Locomotive Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

Set Locomotive Sub-Menu

  0250  
  ^

0250 Locomotive Address.

^ Digit Selector.

	Set Locomotive
Move Digit Selector to the next digit Save locomotive address and return to Set Locomotive Menu	LCD SCREEN	Increase selected digit Decrease selected digit

   FORCE
ā-  FUNC

The Force Function menu allows any of the 29 standard DCC functions to be turned ON or OFF, regardless of any other ProtoThrottle lever or button. These can be used to test functions or control additional features of the decoder such as auxiliary, class, or lesser used lights.

	Navigation
Advance to Configure Function Menu Enter Force Function Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

Force Function Sub-Menu

F00  ---

Function Number. Available range from function 0 to function 28.

F00  ---

Function Setting.

--- Function can be controlled by a ProtoThrottle button or lever

ON Function forced on, regardless of any other button or control

OFF Function forced off, regardless of any other button or control

In the Force Function menu, the horn lever does not activate the horn function. Instead, it will activate the currently selected function number if the function setting is ---.

Please Note

Normally, all Force Function settings should be set to ---. Unless you have a very specific reason for setting it to something else, leave it at the default value. Otherwise, functions may no longer be automatically controlled by the throttle.

	Force Function
Cycle through Function Numbers Save settings and return to Force Function menu	LCD SCREEN	Cycle through Function Settings Cycle through Function Settings

  CONFIG
ā-  FUNC

The Configure Function menu sets the DCC function to be sent for each control on the throttle and action performed by the throttle. This is where most of the customization takes place.

	Navigation
Advance to Notch Configuration Menu Enter Configure Function Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

Configure Function Sub-Menu

HORN    
F02

Control Name. The name of the ProtoThrottle button or handle to which a function can be assigned.

HORN Horn lever
BELL Bell lbutton
BRAKE Brake lever, when brake is activated
BRK OFF Brake lever, when in the full left position
AUX Auxiliary button

Fix Me! Add rest of settings

HORN    
F02

Function Number. The function to be activated when the associated ProtoThrottle button is pressed or control is moved. Available settings are none (F--) and functions 0 (F00) to 28 (F28).

Additional settings are also available for select controls:

MOM Momentary Function. The function is only active while the button is pressed. Available on the Up and Down button assignments.
LAT Latching Function. The function toggles on and off with each press of the button. Available on the Up and Down button assignments.
EMRG BRK Activate the emergency brake. Available on the Up, Down, and Auxiliary button assignments.
BRK TEST Active the brake test special function. Available on the Up and Down button assignments.

	Config Function
Cycle through Control Names Save settings and return to Configure Function menu	LCD SCREEN	Increase Function Number Decrease Function Number

   NOTCH
ā-   CFG

The Notch Configuration menu allows you to set the DCC speed step sent for each notch setting on the throttle. This, in conjunction with the decoder's speed table, can be used to fine-tune the speed of the locomotive and its response to the throttle.

	Navigation
Advance to Options Menu Enter Notch Configuration Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

Notch Configuration Sub-Menu

NOTCH # 
 102

Throttle Notch Number.

NOTCH # 
 102

Speed Step. The speed step to send when the throttle is in the selected Notch Number. Range from 1 to 126 (128 speed step mode only). Idle is always speed step zero.

	Notch Config
Cycle through Notch Numbers Save settings and return to Notch Configuration menu	LCD SCREEN	Increase Speed Step Decrease Speed Step

 OPTIONS
ā-

The Options menu configures various settings specific to each configuration. These options include brake handle and reverser lever behavior, and emergency stop.

	Navigation
Advance to System Menu Enter Options Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

Options Sub-Menu

VAR BRK 
     OFF

Variable Brake. When set to ON, the brake effect will be proportional to the brake handle position. It is recommended to disable the emergency brake when variable braking is enabled. When set to OFF, the brake will be a simple on/off function.

BRK TYPE
   PULSE

Brake Type. Only shown if variable brake is ON.

PULSE Pulse Braking. The brake function will be pulsed at a duty cycle corresponding to the brake handle position, simulating varying amounts of braking force.

STEP Step braking. This feature is for use with TCS WOWSound decoders only. As the brake handle is moved to the right, a greater percentage of the brake is applied. To disengage the brake, fully release the brake handle completely to the left. Also, the emergency brake feature must be disabled for step braking to work correctly.

BRK RATE
    0.5s

Brake Pulse Rate. Only shown if variable brake is ON and brake type is PULSE.

This sets the rate (0.2 -1.0 second) at which brake commands are sent during pulse braking. A smaller value results in smoother braking but can result in a less responsive DCC system due to more commands being sent on the throttle bus.

BRK ESTP
     ON

E-Stop on Brake Handle.

When set to ON, the brake handle can set emergency stop for the selected locomotive when moved completely to the right. When set to OFF, the brake handle will not cause an emergency stop to be set.

REV SWAP
     OFF

Reverser Swap.

When set to ON, the reverser directions are swapped. This can be used to correct for a locomotive whose direction is set incorrectly or when changing the leading end of a back-to-back consist. When set to OFF, the reverser directions are normal.

	Options
Cycle through Options Save settings and return to Options menu	LCD SCREEN	Increase or set option value Decrease or set option value

  SYSTEM
ā-

The System menu configures various throttle behaviors. These include the ability to lock out certain menus, turn on advanced features, and set the battery warning levels.

	Navigation
Advance to Communication Configuration Menu Enter System Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

System Sub-Menu

MENU LCK
     OFF

Menu Lock. When set to ON, only the following menus are available: ENGINE, SPECIAL FUNCS, LOAD CNF, SET LOCO, FORCE FUNC, and SYSTEM.

ADV FUNC
     OFF

Advanaced Functions. When set to ON, advanced functions in the throttle are enabled. These include the Threshold Calibration menu and the Transmit Interval and Transmit Holdoff settings in the Preferences menu.

BAT OKAY
    2.2V

Battery OK Voltage. The voltage above which the batteries are considered good. ĉ

BAT WARN
    2.0V

Battery Warning Voltage. The batteries are low when the voltage is between the OK and Warning levels. Ċ

BAT CRIT
    1.8V

The batteries need to be replaced when the voltage is between the Warning and Critical levels. ċ

When the voltage falls below the Critical level, LOW BATTERY will be displayed and operation of the throttle will not be possible.

	System
Cycle through System settings Save settings and return to System menu	LCD SCREEN	Increase or set option value Decrease or set option value

    COMM
ā-   CFG

The Communication Configuration menu adjusts various settings related to the wireless communication between the throttle and the receiver. This is where the throttle ID, base address, fast clock time source, and transmit timing can be adjusted.

	Navigation
Advance to Preferences Menu Enter Communication Configuration Sub-Menu	LCD SCREEN	None None

Communication Configuration Sub-Menu

ProtoThrottle User Manual ¶

Download¶

Overview¶

Controls¶

Battery Install¶

Quick Start Guide¶

Main Screen¶

Engine Menu¶

Special Functions Menu¶

Load Configuration Menu¶

Save Configuration Menu¶

Set Locomotive Menu¶

Force Function Menu¶

Configure Function Menu¶

Notch Configuration Menu¶

Options Menu¶

System Menu¶

Communication Configuration Menu¶