MTH F3

4-digit Address Calculator

To correctly program the 4-digit address of the MTH F3 locomotives equipped with DCS ProtoSound 3.0 decoders, use the following steps:

1. Determine the number you want to use for your engine (typically the engine's road number). For our examples, we will use "3549". DCC requires this number to be between zero and 9999.
2. Divide that number by 256, e.g. 3549 / 256 = 13.8632...
3. Round that number down, e.g. 13.
4. Add 192 to that number, e.g. 13 + 192 = 205.
5. Program that resulting number into your engine's decoder for the CV #17 setting.
6. Next, take the number calculated in step #3 above, e.g. 13.
7. Multiply that number by 256, e.g. 13 x 256 = 3328.
8. Subtract that result from your desired road number, e.g. 3549 - 3328 = 221.
9. Program that resulting number into your engine's decoder for the CV #18 setting.
10. That's all there is too it!

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MTH F3 Promotional Video

Notes on Converting To Scale

Lee Rainey reports that one must pay close attention to the position of the axle bearings when replacing the wheels after converting them to "scale" wheels, because the "notched" vs. "flat" edges' positioning of the bearing has a noticeable affect on how the engine performs.

If you have a non-powered A- or B-unit that doesn't roll smoothly, it is likely that the bearings weren't installed correctly after the conversion. So, make sure the flat part of the bearing rim is toward the body and the notch in the bearing rim is directly away from the body.

Also, like S-Helper Service engines before it, the MTH F3 engines, when converted from the hi-rail wheels to the scale ones, need to have their wheel contact wipers adjusted. When the scale wheels are installed, the wipers may not make contact, which will lead to the engine not getting enough contact with track power.

Although this is a different model, the concept is shown in a photo on the webmaster's personal web site that conveys this issue (see the 7th photo on this web page).

Lights

For the dual-headlight models, Rich Gajnak provides the following information. These engines have bracketing to both lights on the cab interior casting. Note that both the SHS and MTH models are the same, except that the SHS models use lightbulbs and MTH's have LEDs. These models have the active headlight in the upper opening regardless of whether it is a single- or double-light version. Real-world F units have the MARS light (when so equipped) in the upper opening and the headlight in the door. For the MTH F units it was a matter of swapping plugs at the DCS/DCC PC board.