DCS sound set download procedure for PS2 upgrades

[twaldie]

Hello all,

Heres a question for the DCS gurus out there.  Where can I find the instructions for how to download sound files into engines I have upgraded to PS2?  There are instructions on the PS2 website, but they appear to be cut off.  Why doesn't MTH include the instructions with the upgrade kit???

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tim

[chuck]

The instructions are in the DCS manual.  You need a DCS TIU, a DCS remote, appropriate cable, a computer with a high speed serial interface (capable of running at 57Kbaud), and an appropriate sound file.  The later requires that the tach tape/flywheel match in size for the sound set you are downloading or the loco will misbehave.  You also need the appropriate DCS download software package installed on  the computer.  Software has the download program (as well as an upload program).  Program is called the MTH_DCS_Loader.

[twaldie]

I looked in the DCS Manual.  In the table of contents it lists a section about sound files, but that section is not in my manual, it skips right over it.  Any other ideas on where I can find the instructions?

 

Thanks,

Tim

[chuck]

Go to the MTH web site:

http://www.protosound2.com/

Select Instructions PDF adn download.

[twaldie]

Chuck,

I did that, too.  It just seems like those instructions are missing some steps.  They say to hook up some cables and than nothing else??????  Seems like you have to do the download in there somewhere.

Thanks,

Tim

[chuck]

The instructions are right there in the DCS Loader program.  When you launch it, it tells you what to do.  Last step on a downlaod is  it will ask fro the sound file you want to use.  Process takes 7-15 minutes to complete.

[twaldie]

Thanks for the help, Chuck.  I guess I just need to run the darn thing and see what happens.  Have you done the upgrade sound download before?  A tech in a hobby shop told me that the consumer version of the downloader program would screw my engines up, but I'm wondering if he's just trying to get me to do it there (for a price)?  I haven't seen anyone say that it had messed up their engines.

Thanks again,

Tim (when all else fails, read)

[chuck]

The only caveats about the download are that the files need to match the flywheel/gear train for the locomotive you are using.  The sound files actually include the information for speed control so you can not just randomly pick sound files.  Your computer also need to have a real serial port capable of high speed serial communication.  The local shops computer came with an el cheapo serial port that couldn't run at faster than 19.2 kb and I had to add a PCI serial card with a higher end interface that could run at 57kb to get the DCS upload/downlaod program to behave.  The dealer version of the software is slightly more elaborate.

If this is an upgrade, there isn't anything to screw up.  The board is a blank slate.  On systems where you are swapping a sound set, try uploading the original data set first to make sure your data communication setup is OK.  Save the file in case you want to reload it at a later date.   I dont do reprogramming on a layout, use a short section of isolated track (aka a test track).  Check to make sure there is decent signal quality.  You can put a known good loco on the test track and verify its settings using the DCS remote before trying the download/upload procedures.  Once you are sure you're good to go, but the loco you want to program on the test track and follow the instructions.  It takes a while to do a complete download.  If something goes wrong with the download, the software will let you know and you can try again.  This doesn't happen often (I've only seen it once) and all we did was restart the download.   Second time worked like a charm. 

The loco still may not work properly even after a succesful download.  The system is complex and a faulty or misalligned sensor can mess up the speed control or some other minor wiring issue can cause problems.  Dealers have test set ups to quickly isolate these problems, we don't.   Doing the upgrade install yourself is fine if you like doing this or are interested in understanding the system and how it works.  If you are doing it to just save some money you may be disappointed if it doesn't go well.  The time you spend tracking down an obscure problem may wind up in the less than minimum wage territory.

Dick Teal's book (Kalmbach publishes it) on repair of modern electronic toy trains is a great source of info on DCS/TMCC.  You may want to look into getting a copy.