DCS-TMCC

[CB&Q]

[B)] to rak I finally got to work on DCS signal. I ran power thru TIU to track # 2 & put 14 volt bulb on output signal went to 10's. tried same on track #1 but only have one section at 10 rest varie from 1-3-4&6 I checked wiring all good & tight also resoldered one block power feed no diff still read a 3. both tracks 1&2 wired same way. also no matter what I do DCS handheld will not work TMCC engines! IF I grab cab-1 controller boom away it goes same address as in DCS remote Someone else on this site has said they have same problem. By the way the cable you talked about for using on TIU to TMCC block power boxes is called the enabler I was the first person to buy it when it first came out. IT does work as advertised I have it hooked up already. I do have both DCS- TMCC systems working independant of each other in case one system goes down I can still run my layout. I really never did go to star wiring persay I originally used block feeder type wiring& as track 2 shows it will work that way. any thoughts on track 1 signal will try whatever. thx stpaul

[Anonymous]

stpaul
The dcs/tmcc cabel you have , does it have a little square box about one foot from one end? If it does not, you have an old cabel that has been proven not to work. The new cabel is MTH part number 50-1018. Go to their website under product locator and and see if your cabel matches their's.

[CB&Q]

Yes I have square box on cable from MTH-TIU to TMCC command base& yes box is to TMCC side.

[Anonymous]

Where you able to add the TMCC engine to the handheld?
If you where able to add engine, Bring up the engine on the diplay like you would do to a PS2 engine and press the start up key(3), this should start your engine and use thumb wheel to make it move. I would also use Fix 1 or Fix 2 on TIU, so you will get the proper voltage to track. Variable 1 & 2 has to be wheeled up to 22 volts via the handheld to the TIU to get full voltage to track.

[CB&Q]

Yes I was able to add TMCC engine to DCS remote& have tried to start it using start key like you would a PS-2 no response!!!!!!!!!!!! also both loops of track are hooked to fixed 1&2 inoutputs. If track pins to center rail are loose could this be the main cause of poor track signal on track 1 ?

[Anonymous]

Possible causes of poor track signal.
Dirty track (Center and outside rails)
Dirty pickup rollers
Dirty wheels on engine
Poor connnection between track pins and track both center and outer rails
Poor electrical connections between track and wires( Recommend soldering wiring to center and outer rails)
High Electrical Resistance between all jionts and connections.

Could take some time to correct all problems, take your time and do one thing at a time and check each time you do something to see if problem has gone away or has improved..

TIU--SOFTWARE VERSION--2.21,3.0 ?

[CB&Q]

software is 3.0 verson. I finally got it some how common grnd from TMCC side from power out to track was hurting signal from TIU so I put a on/off switch in between ground to track connection. when I use DCS I just shut off switch& signal goes to a 10-all blocks. I'm no wiring guru but is it possible that DCS& TMCC reverse grounds were fighting each other even thou I have the correct cable hooked from TIU-TMCC?

[Anonymous]

A couple of more thing to try and a few questions.
1-Command Base for TMCC- connect wire from binding post (track U) directly to common rail (Outside Rails) . You are then bypass TIU.
2- Type of transformer(s) you are using?
3-Is transformer(s) and power supplies for TIU and TMCC connected in to the same outlet?
4- Is track #1 & #2 common rails (outside rails) tied electrically together and back to the same transformer or two different transformers?
5-Is it possible to e mail me a picture of your wiring at the TIU, Transformer and Connection to Tracks? This way if I see something, we can resolve it by looking at the same picture.

[e-mail]
[:)]Happy Holidays[:)]

[CB&Q]

on wire fromTMCC base itgoes to TPC from there it goes out to track I have all grnds put on one of MTH's multi term boards. I'm using a z-4000&a mainline industries transformer z-4000 goes to TMCC-TPC's so ican run old lionel etc also DCS will not operate my TMCC command engines no matter what I do I even set up a 36" straight track by itself hooked only to TIU&z-4000 DId all program to DCS instrctions& nada no work so as far as I'm concerned I won't bother tring to use DCS to control any lionel command. any way all trans are are in phase. talked to a friend in georgia & he confirmed That the two systems sharing the same ground will never work as two diff types of grnds diff from each other creating a short thats why MTH had to reverse Its grnd from DCS to TMCC to make TMCC work but will never work if tpc's etc are wired together. now what if I disconnect cable from TIU to TMCC base would that solve the conflict???? as I said before all common grnds from both trans are elec tyied together . I'm also new to computersso a pic is beyond me yet!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

St Paul,
Good to see you posting again. What TMCC number did you assign the TMCC locomotive? You are probably aware of this, but you do need to assign a TMCC number which matches the one in your TMCC locomotive. My 3751 is engine number 12 in the DCS Handheld, but it is TMCC engine number 33. The DCS number does not necessarily match the TMCC number. TMCC number in handheld must match TMCC number in locomotive.

Others have missed this an experienced exactly what you are finding. If you are having cable problems between the TIU and the Command Base, it will usually result in flickering lights, etc. If you have not response whatsoever, number assignment may be the issue.

It will work properly, I never use the Cab-1 at all anymore (except for programming) as I learned on the DCS Handheld-I find it infinitely more convenient to use.

Perhaps we should attempt to talk on the phone over the next few days.

If you want to, email me at [e-mail].

If you send a wiring diagram to PRRSD35 I would appreicate it if you would send one to me as well. Maybe we can all get together somehow on this.

Star wiring with the track broken into blocks no more than 20 feet long has worked wonders for many.

It really should not be as difficult as it has been. I would like to be of help. How is control in areas of layout where signal is "10". Should be very, very solid.

[CB&Q]

[:D] glad to see you back as well hope santa was good to you. I assinged a loco #10 in tmcc&same in dcs but dcs won't activate that loco but if I address from tmcc using that #er boom off we go. I have noticed on dcs when I hit start button it flicks once only even if I hold button down for 3-5 seconds. but if I hit boost & hold it down it will keep flashing never paid attention to what tmcc handheld will do if I held button down. track signal is solid 10's both loops and all works well I ran power thru tiu& used bulb trick. only thing is I had to install a switch in between tpc common grnds going to track out if I shut it off the signal from tiu is solid 10's if on it goes back to 1's-3's-6's also what ever track is not powered at all the bulb shows a very slit glow thats another reason I put that switch at grnd as it stopped it cold. also when I try to use dcs to run tmcc the headlite is on so power is there I figured if loco switches wereset wrong it would't work at all. I don't know how to send wire diagram as new to computers as well. thx for all the help so far STPAUL out

[CB&Q]

[:p][:p][:p][:p] well tmcc now works from dcs remote I reread the instrs for dcs-tmcc setup& discovered I forgot to enter tmcc address #into dcs remote after giving it an id address electric 10 human sent to corner to reflect HA HA. so while I'm at it scotts odds n ends has a relay anti chatter type can I use it to send track power to a ross dbl crossover to power each leg of crossover when changing train from inner to outer tracks. I have 12 volt relays from last layout but they drive me nuts chattering to train wheels. I've read on this site those that are into computers runin the layout just how involved is the electrics& whatever else you need to do this????????????

[Anonymous]

Stpaul,

Glad to see that you are making steady progress! It can be a lot of work but is a great deal of fun when you conquer something that has been a problem.

Did not get trains from Santa this year, but did get a new Lionel scale Zephyr. I immediately took it down to AGHRS and ran it on the giant layout (probably ran it too fast but it is a "Silver Streak"-like the old movie). Now have that one and the MTH Premier one. The Lionel looks better, the MTH runs much better, sound is about the same (neither got the horn right) with MTH doing better on the eight throttle notches. Both are a lot of fun.

I have no knowledge with regard to running layout through computer. MTH has not publicized codes to operate DCS through computer (although I have seen MTH reps operate DCS connected to computer the year before DCS was released). I don't know if they will publish or not.

Please continue to post your progress.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

St Paul
Glad to hear DCS is operating your TMCC engines. I am sorry I could not help you with this problem any more than I did. My DCS and TMCC is being used at a display we have set up for christmas and is about 20 miles from my house. As RK402 stated, keep us posted on your progress.

[CB&Q]

[:p][:p] I figured out why I kept getting a short!!!! I ran TIU past tmcc blk power So when power applied to tpc it would run power over to tiu as well. I now am runing power from both tiu&tpc's thru blkpower controllers I run power to a switch from both systems & turn one or the other off-on it took me 6-months to figure it out. I told you folks i'm no wiring guru!!!!!!!!!!!!!! these systems are alot of work . I hope newcomers don't have as much trouble as i'm sure we all have had our moments with these systems. TAS Studios is coming out with computer control for trains thats why I asked if any one else has tried computer controls. later ST PAUL OUT