MTH DCS static settings

[Wes Whitmore]

I just have a couple of quick questions with DCS.  After I set up two trains to move in the direction and speed that I want them to in command mode, is there a way to do a quick recall to that exact setting the next time I turn the system on.  In other words, I want to be able to hit a "memory 1" button that will start both trains up to the speed I set the last time I used the system. 

Also, if I reduce track voltage to a train running on DCS command mode, will the train slow down to the speed that the track voltage will support, like if it was in command mode?  What happens if you drop DCS below 6 volts?

Thanks a bunch!
Wes

[willpick]

Wes, I can't answer your first question, but I can reply to the second one.

reducing the track voltage below 10 Volts or so isn't a good idea. It forces the speed control to run the motor controller/driver at full power just to keep the engine running. It won't drop out of command mode until you get to 6 volts, as that is where it's programmed to turn on(legacy from PW Lionel transformers that turn on at 6 volts). I've never tried running at 6 volts, I imagine it will sense the 6 volts as a shutdown command, and stop running, then play the shutdown sequence--

I know that you can lock an engine in forward or reverse, and that setting will be saved when you shutdown the engine, but a set speed isn't doable-- you can set a max speed, but I don't think that's what you want----

[Wes Whitmore]

A max speed per train will work just fine for me.  My issue is that I have two MTH trains that run at very different sppeds at the same voltage, and I would like set them at a speed in command mode, but run them in conventional mode.  I just want to be able to turn it on the DCS, and then start running in conventional quickly.

Wes 

[phillyreading]

Wes,

You need to read the manual again as I think that you are not understanding that DCS and conventional are two separate things!!  In plain English you can't do what you are wanting to do, you must run in DCS mode if you want DCS features to work, you lose the speed control going to convential mode and the engines may not repsond correctly, you won't be able to control the smoke output or speed correctly in conventional or get crew talk in conventional mode.

Another thing that will affect DCS or PS-2 engines is going over a remote control uncoupling track, sometimes the engine just turns off as it is not reading any voltage to the track because you went too slowly over the uncoupling track, this happeneed to me.  I removed the uncoupling track from that part of my layout and the engine don't stall anymore, got tired of the derailments too!

If both engines are PS-2 compatible use the DCS handheld remote to program the speed, can even be lashed together providing they have DCS in both engines.  Can't run PS-2 & TMCC engines together in a multi unit lashup, can not run one TMCC SD-80 & a PS-2 SD-80 together.

Lee F.

[Wes Whitmore]

Wes,

You need to read the manual again as I think that you are not understanding that DCS and conventional are two separate things!!  In plain English you can't do what you are wanting to do, you must run in DCS mode if you want DCS features to work, you lose the speed control going to convential mode and the engines may not repsond correctly, you won't be able to control the smoke output or speed correctly in conventional or get crew talk in conventional mode.

Another thing that will affect DCS or PS-2 engines is going over a remote control uncoupling track, sometimes the engine just turns off as it is not reading any voltage to the track because you went too slowly over the uncoupling track, this happeneed to me.  I removed the uncoupling track from that part of my layout and the engine don't stall anymore, got tired of the derailments too!

If both engines are PS-2 compatible use the DCS handheld remote to program the speed, can even be lashed together providing they have DCS in both engines.  Can't run PS-2 & TMCC engines together in a multi unit lashup, can not run one TMCC SD-80 & a PS-2 SD-80 together.

Lee F.

I don't have DCS yet...but I didn't think I would lose all of the speed control features.  I might be a little confused about loosing the speed control features while in DCS, but I'm sure I'll figure it out when I do get it.    I was really just wandering what would happen when I altered the supply voltage (like you would with conventional), even while trying to run DCS at the same time.  I'm guessing that people with blocks can still use them with DCS since voltage is cut completely from the engine momentarily, but I want to know if the train will take off again immediately after power is restored to the track.  Currently, even with the locos locked in forward only position, my MTH 2-8-0 will sit there for 3-5 seconds before it takes off.  If I just drop the voltage to the 6 or 7 volts, which makes it stop, but keeps it alive, then it takes right back off again.  How do trains in DCS mode act when you cut power to them through a stop block?

I originally wanted to be able to set an engine to a slower speed using DCS, but use a stop block at the 6V to stop the train, but that was before I knew that the electronic speed controller would be trying to maintain the set speed.   This would have been better than no voltage at all because it keeps the sounds going, even though the train isn't moving.

Wes

[Dave Connolly]

 Lets say you are running your Proto 2 engine at 20 scale miles per hour. The handheld reads in smph. One click of the thumbwheel increases or decreases speed in 1 smph increments.

 If you suddenly cut power and are running the engine under command control with DCS. The engine will go through it's shutdown sequence and go silent. The remote will still show 20 smph when the layout is powered up. It will sit there silent until start up is pressed. If you don't recycle the direction switch or scroll back the thumbwheel the first movement of the thumbwheel will accelerate the engine to 21 smph.

 I'm guessing you want to run in an automated mode. DCS features a recorder feature. You can record train movements and save them and they will automatically be replayed. Just remember to start the engine off in the same spot.

[Wes Whitmore]

Automated mode might work, but it's a little scare for me to trust, especially after I run the engines towards the end of the programming.  Over time, there may be sync issues, etc.  I guess I really don't need DCS at all for what I want to do.  I might be able to get by with one train being faster than another in conventional mode.  If not, I will just use a bridge-rectifier IN the faster tender on the output of the speed controller, but I don't really want to have to do that.

Thanks for clearing everything up.  It beats trial and error by me!

Wes

[DMUinCT]

DCS puts a fixed voltage on the track, it may be 18 volts in "O" gauge, 22 volts in "G" gauge, 12 volts in "HO".  A digital signal is then imposed over the base voltage, each locomotive has a unique "address" and will respond only to the commands directed to it. A digital encoder on the back of the locomotive motor reads the true speed and sets it to what you commanded.  Nothing to do with track voltage.

Two Trains?  Two Locomotives?   Double Heading?

Try the "Lashup" Command.  It's designed for "Double Heading" but the Hand Held Remote won't know if the locomotives are really coupled together. To set it up you enter the data as if you were adding another locomotive, but you are adding 2 or more at one "address". The Remote will ask for engine 1, faceing front or back, engine 2, front or back, and so on.  You will now have a new item in the "Select Engine" screen, both locomotives will receive the exact same speed commands to "double head" or run two separate trains. Each locomotive will also remaine in the "Select Engine" menu as separate engines.