Wondering if anyone ever experienced error messages on the remote identified as "Engine not on track" or, "No Engine to Add" after removing a conventional engine (i.e., Sunset brass 2-rail) from the track and replacing it with an MTH DCS engine? I can't get the remote to "Read", or add the engine. I'm also initially getting "NO DCS Engine found". Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Dave
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Wondering if anyone ever experienced error messages on the remote identified as "Engine not on track" or, "No Engine to Add" after removing a conventional engine (i.e., Sunset brass 2-rail) from the track and replacing it with an MTH DCS engine?
There's absolutely no connection between doing anything with the conventional engine (which DCS can't "see") and any kind of a DCS problem.
Barry - Thanks, that answers that question. I've tried everything, pulling off the MTH engine off of the track, putting it back on, Unplugged everything...still no luck in the Remote finding the engine.
You have some other issue going on.
The first thing I'd try is doing a READ to see if the remote finds the TIU. If it does not, then I'd tether the TIU's Remote Input port to the remote with a4-conductor (curly) telephone handset cable and see if things improve.
The Remote finds the TIU, no problem there. Something else to add, there are times when the engine will start off on its own, after picking it up and placing it back on the track (with the transformer powered up to ~80%). I'm using an MRC Power G transformer and plugging into a Fixed Voltage port.
there are times when the engine will start off on its own, after picking it up and placing it back on the track (with the transformer powered up to ~80%).
If you're placing an engine directly on powered track, with all due respect, that's a very bad thing to do and can cause severe damage to the engine's electronics.
As far as the engine starting up conventionally when you do so, that's normal since the engine will have missed the DCS watchdog signal.
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One thing to check, make sure the switches on the MTH engine are set to 2 rail (vs 3 rail) and the other switch is set to DCS (vs DCC). You imply that your layout is 2 rail direct current but you are using DCS to control the engine. If the switches are set wrong, the handheld / system won’t find the engine.
Ever so often due handling an engine, the switches get hit to a different selection.
Make sure the TIU is powered.
Make sure the polarity is correct with older ps2 engines.
Check track signal strength with a MTH engine.
Thx all for the replies. I unplugged everything and walked away for an hour, hooked up everything and was able to power up the engine using the remote. Working, but not sure why. thx again.
LV_DPR posted:Thx all for the replies. I unplugged everything and walked away for an hour, hooked up everything and was able to power up the engine using the remote. Working, but not sure why. thx again.
Don't you wish to learn about the system?
Joe - Solved the problem. The red LED which identifies the actual address of the TIU wasn't lighting up. I just simply throttled up/down/up the transformer and the LED lit up once. Afterwards, the remote found the engine. Success.
Glad you got it working. Looks like a very nice layout.
Yes, beautiful layout and train!
I am going to restate what Barry said, IF YOU take MTH engines OFF and back ON with POWER Applied, your asking for trouble. Not wise with any train really. G
Nice Video but......Where the hill is the caboose??? Gregg (retired Condr.)
G - The transformer was always powered down when I swapped out engines.
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