MTH DCS vs. Lionel TrainMaster DCC

[CB&Q]

As usual I forgot to answer 1- questions. I'm using 14 gauge wire from OGR Backshop It is supposed to work well with DCS per J. Barret at OGR It's even color coded same as TIU Hookup knobs to lessen chance of hooking wrong color to wrong posts

[Anonymous]

Stpaul,

Do you have any light bulbs involved in your wiring? Try the "light bulb trick". Add one 18 volt light bulb to each TIU output that you are using. We had an issue at AGHRS where the signal was very weak in the freight yard. We added a light bulb and the signal strength went from "Check Track" to "10".

I usually keep a couple of light bulbs on clip leads handy for trouble shooting layouts.

If the light bulb does not help at the TIU, try is at several locations around the layout, including connected directly to the track. You can park a locomotive with the "Track Signal" function turned on and clip and unclip the light bulbs around the layout to see if it helps.

This is a quick, simple thing to try. There is a reason why we have all those lighted lock-ons on the demo layout.

[CB&Q]

I tried lite trick only gets signal to 5-6 from 4's. I tried runin a jumper from tiu output to one blk of track went up to 9's but it also makes outer oval hot as well do common grounds have to be isolated from inner- outer mainlines? this system is alot more work than TMCC. I know there has to be a way for TMCC products like tpc's&blk power controlers to work but so far I have'nt found How to get DCS to work as well using existing wiring. oh well back to the drawing board!!!!!!!!!!!! By the way I also run conv engines as well easier with TMCC.

[CB&Q]

I also have cleaned track you can eat off of it & used scotch brite pad & removed blk film off of center rail all for nothing no diff on signal after all that. I still think I need to wire each system independant of each other with toggle switch to keep power from finding away to create a short.

[Anonymous]

Stpaul,

The light bulb helped, that is good. We can do much better. Where did you connect the light bulb?

Some people are reporting much better signal strength when running in "Active" mode (running the power through the TIU as MTH intended) as opposed to "Passive" mode. It sounds like you did this by running through the TIU (from you previous post). You should not have to isolate common grounds, but do need to isolate the center rail to form blocks to get the signal strength up. I almost always run in "Active" mode. Always on the large floor layout. I only used "Passive" mode on the Super O layout as a test.

Keep pressing, you are improving things steadily!

You should not need to remove Command Base from layout. I am not sure about Block controller, but you should switch to "Active" mode before you make any changes to the block controller.

Has PS-2 train control improved with TIU mounting changed and 5-6 signal strength? We still need to get you up to 9's and 10's.

By the way, in most cases, it is not this difficult. It sounds like you have a very nice, somewhat complex layout.

Sorry this post is choppy-very little time at the moment.

Keep us posted!

[CB&Q]

RAK 402 can only find 14 v bulbs I tried it at TPC power out nonchange.Then went to blk #6 term went to 5-6. then I ran a jumper from TIU fx 1 out to same blk Got 9's but as engine moved from track to track it would go to 7& then back up to a 9. I think if I run a set of wires to each side of layout& then run star type of wire pattern to each blk that should do it. I ran into a short runing power thru TIU to track as I think the power went back to TMCC- TPC side of wiring as I put an on/off switch between power source & TIU & it stopped. thats why I only run DCS signal out to track less to remember to turn on& off. I wonder if HO folk have as much problems with there type of command control supposedly any manuf system will work with anyone elses why can't our o-gauge side do the same instead of fighting each other??? Also I don't know if I take TPC's out if I can still acess my blk powerb controllers???? I'm not in ST PAUL But I grew up there until 1963 then to az.

[Anonymous]

Stpaul,

The star wiring pattern that you proposed should do nicely. I have been using an MTH Terminal block to radiate the wires out to the track. Any good quality terminal strip should do. It is important to run the power through the TIU at this point, to get the best possible signal strength.

Regarding separating TMCC from DCS, I assume that you do not mean separating the Command Base? I would definitely keep it installed, so that you can run TMCC and PS-2 locomotives simultaneously.

The TPC's are sort of redundant with DCS, although as you pointed out, they can handle a lot more current than the variable channels of DCS. TPC's also have many more speed steps, which is an advantage. That being said, the variable channels still work very well for conventional use.

FYI, there is an individual who manufactures a special cable that is supposed to allow you to keep and use all of your TMCC electronics while still connecting the Command Base to the TIU. I think it is called an "Enabler". I have no experience with it, but I will look for the ad.

Please continue to keep us all posted.

Thank you.