Athearn GENESIS SD45-2 - Model Train Instruction Guide

Introduction

Your new Genesis SD45-2 Diesel Locomotive comes factory equipped with a state-of-the-art Dual Function decoder. This enables your locomotive to operate with any NMRA compatible DCC system, as well as with any regular DC Train Control [HO power pack]. It will automatically sense the type of control you are using without you having to set it up for the required operation.

Do not run your new Genesis SD45-2 Diesel Locomotive with power packs intended for "G" scale [do not exceed 18 VDC] as you may damage the locomotive circuitry. Also, never operate your locomotive with a transformer designed for use with AC powered model trains [such as O-27 trains or some European HO models].

Some DCC systems also come equipped with a switch for extra voltage for larger scales ["O" or "G"]. If you use your locomotive on this setting damage will occur to the on-board electronics due to the higher constant track voltage [22 volts].

DC Operation- Analog Mode

The wireless remote transmitter [included] is powered by a 12 volt battery [#A23.12]. One battery is included, replacement batteries are readily available at electronic or office supply stores.
There are certain conditions that will affect the range of the transmitter [atmospheric, metal piping, any type of metal screening used on the layout, etc.]. For best operation it is advisable to place the transmitter antenna close to the rails as you operate your locomotive. This model will operate with a standard analog DC power pack. However, the locomotive's sound will not begin until the throttle is at approximately 50% of the throttle setting. The locomotive will begin moving when the throttle has been turned about 60%.
The wireless remote transmitter features six buttons that control various sounds:

• Button 1 will start or stop the bell ringing.
• Button 2 will blow the air horn – the length of time the button is held determines the length of the horn blast.
• Button 3 activates the sound of couplers connecting.
• Button 4 controls the brake release sound (when the engine is in idle) or brake squeal (when the train is moving).
• Button 5 turns the dynamic brake sounds on and off.*
• Button 6 allows you to turn off the headlight, useful for when a locomotive is in idle.

*Dynamic Brake Sound- [Analog D.C. or DCC Operation]:
When the dynamic brake sound is turned off, there will be an approximate delay of 2 seconds while the sound fades. [Pressing the button again before the sound fades will reactivate the dynamic brake sound unnecessarily.] Note that the dynamic brake sound cannot be operated while the bell sound [button 1] is ringing. A unique feature of the dynamic brake sound is that when activated the diesel prime mover sound will automatically notch down to the idle setting. This is true to life, as the engineer of a real locomotive will put the prime mover into idle when the dynamic brakes are activated. This does not affect the speed of your locomotive, but you can use your throttle to slow the locomotive as it would in real life. When the dynamic brake is deactivated the prime mover sound automatically notches back up to your present throttle setting.

Programming - Analog Mode

To program the various sounds, please follow the following steps:

1. Turn on the power pack. Move the throttle slowly up until you hear the prime mover sounds start, make sure the loco is in idle.
2. Turn off the power switch [leaving the throttle setting as is] and wait 2 seconds.
3. Press and hold Button #6 while you turn the power switch to ON. When you hear the locomotive say "Program" quickly release Button #6, wait 5 seconds before pressing any other buttons. Note: Program Mode is a slow process. Always wait 2 seconds after pressing a button. Do not press two buttons within that 2 second lag time, and do not press and hold a button while in the Program Mode, as the circuitry may "read" that as the button being pressed twice, causing an error. While in the Program Mode you will only be able to perform approximately 30 program operations.
4. To return to the Run Mode, turn the power pack's ON/OFF switch to off, then wait 2 seconds before turning the power pack back on.
   • While in the Program Mode, press Button #1 to change the bell type- there are eight types, plus"OFF" from which to choose, and you will hear a sample of each bell type ring four times each time Button #1 is pressed. After you hear the bell type you like, or "OFF", stop pressing Button #1.
   • Utilize Button #2 to choose from 15 different air horn sounds plus "OFF". Each time you press Button #2 you will hear a sample of the horn sound, stop pressing Button #2 when you hear the horn sound you desire or "OFF".
   • Button #3 turns the coupling sound "ON" [sound heard] or "OFF".
   • Button #4 can be used to alter the rate at which the bell will ring.
   • Button #5 is used to turn all lights on or off.
     While in the Program Mode, press Button #5 once, you will hear the locomotive say "Program". This confirms that when you re-enter the Run Mode the lights will be off. To turn the lights back on, re-enter the Program Mode, press Button #5 and again the locomotive will say "Program". This will confirm that when you re-enter the Run Mode, the lights will be turned on.
   • The "OFF" features are useful when the locomotive is a trailing unit in a multiple unit consist, and only the leading locomotive's lights and accessory sounds are needed to be activated by the remote transmitter.

Program Sound Volumes

In the Program Mode you may individually adjust the volume of 5 sounds [Buttons 1 through 5]. To adjust the volume, press Button #6 [you will hear the locomotive say "Program"] and then select one of the sounds [Buttons 1 through 5]. Each sound has four volume level settings. For example, to adjust the volume of the bell, press Button #6 [you will hear "Program"] wait 2 seconds and then press Button #1. At this point, you will hear a sample of the bell sound in order to judge the volume. Repeat pressing Button #6 and, two seconds later, Button #1 to hear the next volume level, stopping when the desired volume level is heard.

Note: There is a manual volume pot located on the top of the circuit board. The adjustment is set from the factory at full. To lower the volume manually, use a small screwdriver and turn the pot slowly clockwise until the desired volume is obtained. There is no "stop" position on the pot. If you continue turning the pot clockwise, the sound will completely shut off, then go back to full volume.

Restoring Factory Defaults

In the Program Mode, press Button #6 five times [press, wait for "program", wait 2 seconds, press Button #6 again, listen for "program", etc.].
Once done the locomotive will go into it's startup mode and be ready to run when the throttle is advanced.

Programming –DCC Mode

Your Genesis SD45-2 Locomotive will operate on any NMRA compatible Digital Command Control [DCC] system. The highly advanced dual-function decoder has the following features:

• Synchronized diesel engine sound with associated random locomotive sounds.
• 1.5 amp capacity.
• Programmable for either 2 digit [1-127] or 4 digit [1-9999] addresses.
• Programmable start voltage.
• Programmable acceleration rate.
• Programmable deceleration rate.
• Programmable top voltage.
• Programmable 14-28/128 speed steps.
• Directional lighting {F0}.
• Special lighting effects as per road name [either ditch lights, gyralights, xenon strobes or prime strato lights].
• 16 accessory sound functions.
• Advanced consisting [CV 19].
• OPS Mode programming.
• Compatible with NMRA DCC standards.
• Complies with Part 15 of FCC regulations.
• Programmable individual sound volumes.

Operation- DCC Sounds Chart

FUNCTION	IDLE/MOVING
Double click F0	Turns ON/OFF sound
F1	Bell ON/OFF
F2	Horn
F3	Turns ON/OFF accesory lighting
F4	Coupling
F5	Brake release (idle) / Brake squeal (moving)
F6	Dynamic Brake ON/OFF
F7	Air hose firing/uncoupling lever
F8	Double click will shut down
F9	Engine cooling fan
F10	Rail wheel clack (only moving)
F11	Traction air compressor
F12	Turns ON/OFF sound
F13*	Short air release
F14*	Coupling crash
F15*	Air pump
F16*	Associated locomotive sound
F17*	Flange noise
F18*	Change bell type
F19*	Horn type select
*Note 1: Only MRC Prodigy Advance DCC has F13-F19 accessory functions
*Note 2: When CV122=3 (manual notch up/down, F8 will notch down and F9 will notch up)

*NOTE- Some DCC systems do not have enough power on the Program Track for programming sound decoders. If your systems is one of these, there are Program track Boosters available from aftermarket DCC suppliers.

*Note: The Bell [F1] Dynamic Brake [F6] and Rail-Wheel Clack [F10] can not be played simultaneously-the Bell sound will interrupt the other two sounds.

*Note: Because this locomotive has a dual function sound decoder on-board, it does not support CV read back features. This decoder supports all program methods including: register mode, paged mode, CV programming mode, direct mode, and programming on the mainv [OPS mode programming]. Program the locomotive the same way you would program any other NMRA compatible decoder with your DCC system.

Out Of The Box DCC Running

The first time you run your new SD45-2 locomotive there are a few steps you should take to make sure the locomotive operates properly:

1. Test the locomotive in it's analog mode [D.C.] if possible. If it runs properly [lights, sound, forward and reverse] on D.C., it will run trouble free on DCC.
2. The locomotive comes with a factory default DCC address of #3. Before programming a new address into the locomotive, test run it on your DCC system on address #3. This will also insure there are no problems with the locomotive.
3. Test all functions [lights and sound] on default address of #3. Use the supplied Function Chart.

To avoid a current overload on your DCC system when starting it up with a lot of sound equipped locomotives on your layout, your new Athearn Genesis SD45-2 locomotive does not automatically start up in the DCC mode. To start the locomotive, in Run Mode, enter the address you have assigned for the locomotive, then press any function button [F1-F9] two times (do not press F0 2 times or you will shut off the sound). You will then hear the locomotive go through it's start up procedure [there will be no movement or operating functions for a few seconds until the locomotive's idle steadies out]. Once your locomotive finishes it's start up, it is ready to go to work on your layout. When you are finished running your locomotive, pressing function button 8 [F8] four times will shut your locomotive down. When the locomotive is shut down this way, it will not automatically start up next time you need it. You will have to press any function button 2 times to re-start it.

Once these steps have been completed, follow the included CV chart to program any new programming features you want into the locomotive. When you initially program your new SD45-2 locomotive, this step should be done on a program track for best results. You must know how to properly use your DCC systems programming mode to program any decoder. If you are unsure of programming a decoder with your system, please consult your DCC systems instruction book regarding programming or contact the manufacturer of your DCC system for proper guidance.

Programming for DCC Operation – Digital Mode

This decoder supports all program methods including register mode, paged mode, CV programming, direct mode and programming on the main (OPS mode programming). Program the locomotive the same way you would program any other NMRA compatible decoder with your DCC system.

Note: Due to the nature of dual function decoders, it does not support the CV read back feature.
The Dual-Function decoder is manufactured by Model Rectifier Corporation for Athearn Trains.

Documents / Resources

Download manual

Here you can download full pdf version of manual, it may contain additional safety instructions, warranty information, FCC rules, etc.

Download Athearn GENESIS SD45-2 - Model Train Instruction Guide