have the dreaded check track issues back. switched transformers now dcs strictly off of mth z 4000 before using a unit called the max no check track issues with that setup but all over now using z 4000 go figure. any way have cleaned scrubbed track with green scratch pad bright boy and denatured alcohol no better already tightened all track sections only 1 power feed to each block did I mniss anything? am at a loss about ready to deep six dcs and run ps-2 with tpc and run trains instead of constantly working on it. any ideas to try I haven't thought of? thanks for any help on this issue.
put an 18 volt light off each terminal block (or tiu output). this or the DCS filters that have been talked about.
model in O. the Western NY and Ontario Railroad
thanks for the information I have a bulb at the output of both fixed 1&2.
more information I have 6 tmcc bpc's setup for tmcc and now cab-2 attached which means I have 24 sets of the ogr 14 gauge wire each set to it's own block. now all I did was to wire the outputs from tiu to the first bpc and daisy chained from that point forward so basically dcs goes through bpc and then to each track block so in my thinking it's a form of star wiring so is this a possible problem? thanks for any clarity on this.
Try using the PS-2 engines without the TPC and see how it does. You might have an electronic fight going on with the two units from differant companies.
I am using just the TIU with my PS-2 engines.
Lee F.
use all four channels on your TIU and forget the TPC. Have each channel on TIU go to terminal buss. From here wire 6 sets, each to its own block. Have a light at each terminal (or tiu output). Set the variable channels to fixed (not necessary, but make it easier intially.)
power from one handle will run fixed one and variable one and power from other handle will run fixed two and variable two. Keep in mind that when starting up fixed one needs to go on to power TIU unless using a separate power supply
If you plan on running tmcc with Cab 1 then all that you need to do is hook the base to common of fixed one.
Bill D
I bought a Z-750 power pack at a train show and use that to power my TIU and run two tracks from the TIU, each wired separately into the TIU. I have three PS-2 engines that I use with the TIU and an AIU for my switches. I run some of my Williams engines in convetional and see how much voltage it takes to run them, surprising low volts for the Williams GP-9 to start running.
I would recommend starting with the VERY basic. Take a couple of pieces of straight track and connect that and only that to the output of the TIU. Then place 1 engine on that track, and see if the engine is found and starts. Check basic operation, start up, engine control, etc.. Once satisfied with that you WILL know the TIU, Transformer, and basic wiring works. Then migrate or grow that to your layout.
Don
If it was me I would upgrade the Williams to TMCC and use legacy (cab 2) base.
well had a brain moment so rigged up a 30" straight test track hooked tiu to it and no others and then powered and ran this troubled loco was okay but troubled so did a total engine factory reset that went well deleted and all readded and then deleted again and then readded it came up fine except it only has engine address no engine name thought the engine name was a part of ps-2 feature and from there you could edit it am I wrong or right on that?
but the engine did respond to all commands on test track and lights bells horn flashing ditch lights all worked but for one ditch light may be a bulb gone bad no biggie. so undid that and re hooked tiu to layout and same deal no engine found and so will just unhook dcs from the layout and get some mth 12 terminal strips and wire it seperately from tmcc setup and will add a block at a time and do the startup and make sure all is working correctly as I go. will let you know later how this works out hopefully this weekend can get a start on it.
CB&Q it came up fine except it only has engine address no engine name thought the engine name was a part of ps-2 feature and from there you could edit it am I wrong or right on that?
Check your version of DCS it sounds as though you may have version 4.02 of DCS which had this bug in it. You need to have version 4.10 for best results.
DCS versions
You can try replacing the battery, and make sure you charge the battery overnight before installing it in your MTH engine.
Another thing to do is to clean all the wheels on your MTH engine, this caused me some problems with a steam locomotive because of dirty wheelsets, it is a 4-8-4.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.
Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month