Using DCS for Command and Conventional at the same time

[Simbo69]

 I have just ventured into DCS.  My TIU, when wired to the fixed input and output channels works great.  I want to also set it up to run conventional locomotives.  From the owners manual it says I must use the variable channel only.  But when I connect the transformer to variable input the remote doesn't see the engines or the track.  How do I wire up the TIU to do this?

[DMUinCT]

Conventional Control starts with "0" voltage and raises it to 15 -18 volts to accelerate your locomotive, lowering the voltage to slow it down.  That operation can be controlled with your Remote and the TIU variable output channel after setting it up.

DCS control puts a fixed 18 volts on the track. That voltage powers up your DCS locomotive and it awaits your command which is sent through the track to an "onboard microprocessor".  In convetional, not enough voltage is on the track to start the DCS locomotive in a modified DCS mode. 

In the DCS User's Manual, page 99 in my (3rd) addition, "Universal Locomotive Control" "Conventional Mode" setting up the track feeds in your Remote, also note the Black Box tips.   Pages 100-101, "Universal Locomotive Control", "Proto Sound Engines in Conventional Mode", how to set up your Remote to see your engine.

[Moozuki]

You need to jumper VAR 1 input to Fixed 1 input. The TIU gets its power to operate from the fixed 1 input or the aux input.

[Simbo69]

Thanks.  I jumped the fixed input 1 to the var input 1 and it's working.  How critical is it to not use the controllers on the transformers?  I have two Z-1000's and at this time I'm running the power through the controllers set at full power.  I'm only doing this because I don't want to cut the wires coming out of the bricks.  I will see about getting the adapters, but does doing it this way cause problems?  I have a phantom whistle/horn signal on both lines which I think may be due to that hookup.  I set up the two tracks as Track 1 and Track 2.

[phillyreading]

I have my TIU powered by a seperate Z-750 transformer(bought the Z-750 brick for $15.00 at a train show), and my two main lines powered by Z-1000's. Also using the fixed inputs & outputs 1 & 2 to the tracks, had a problem with variable input 1 so I went to fixed inputs for both tracks. The way it is set-up I can run either DCS or conventional, go to track power then go to variable voltage for conventional, on either track with the handheld remote.

Lee F.