Thanks Barry! Off to the trainroom to give it a go!
Dan
Hi Barry!
Just finished my 1st attempt at naming variable channels to be able to run conventional engines. I did read your last response and I thought I followed your suggestions but when I got to the last piece where I pressed the FXD softkey, I got nothing. I then went to your book and followed the directions on page 127. I was able to actually name the two variable channels. When I placed the conventional engine on the track it responded to the transformer handle on my Z4000, but on the remote it showed volts etc, but the engine did not respond or move when I rolled the thumbwheel. Did I do something wrong? Also, when I turned on the transformer and moved the handle the conventional engine moved without any use of the remote. Any suggestions?
Dan,
First, you must have the transformer putting power into the Variable channel all of the time.
When the variable channel is set to Fixed mode, power will go straight through the TIU and the engine will see whatever voltage is coming from the transformer. When you then use the thumbwheel on the TRK screen to adjust the tracks voltage, it goes into Variable mode.
When the variable channel is in Variable mode, the input voltage from the transformer is further controlled by the remote's thumbwheel. It's not an "either/or" situation. It takes both to control the variable channel in variable mode via the remote.
Second, it's possible that you may have assigned the TIU Tracks to the wrong variable channels, i.e., TIU Track for Variable #1 in the remote is controlling physical channel Variable #2, and vice-versa.
Try controlling the engine with the other TIU Track.
You need to press the TR key and then select the variable channel. After that, I press the TVZ key to kill the voltage on the variable channel. Now it will react to the thumbwheel, starting at zero volts. The first jump is to 5V, which ends up being around 4.5 with 18 volts input to the TIU.
You slipped while I was reading and responding Barry. 
John/Barry: Thanks for your input. I did go and try what you guys suggested and got nothing from the thumbwheel. I 1st tried what John suggested by hitting the track key, then pressing what I assumed to be the variable and then the TDZ key. I am thinking maybe the problem was in how I initially made the variable into the fixed mode. I was able to name the two variable channels. I have one level on its own TIU and another level on its TIU. I was able to make the Super TIU Mode so that I can control engines with command anywhere on the layout. When I first changed the variable to fixed mode I went to the one TIU and selected Variable #1 and changed that per the discussion in Barrys book by naming the track ( Scale TK-Lower). I then did the same for my 2nd TIU Variable #2 and was able to name that one ( Real-TK-Middle). Should I have selected variable #1 on the 2nd TIU instead of variable#2? Now that I have done this, when I hit the track button here is what I get on the screen: TIU#1 Variable#2
Real Tk-Middle
Scale Tk-Lower
When I followed John's suggestion after hitting the TK key I selected either Real or Scale as the variable channels. Any suggestions as to where I may have gone astray? Thanks
Dan
Is it possible to start all over? or can I correct the problem some other way?
Don't over think this.
First, make sure that both TIUs are being powered either through power into the Aux. Power port (preferred) or Fixed Channel Input #1.
Next, make sure that the track you assign to each Variable channel is assigned to the TIU/variable channel combination that you're actually using.
If you're using Variable #1 on TIU #1 and Variable #1 on TIU #2, assign them as follows:
- Name the first track TIU 1 Variable 1 and assign it to TIU #1 Variable #1
- Name the second track TIU 2 Variable 1 and assign it to TIU #2 Variable #1
Next:
- Press MENU/SYSTEM/DCS Setup
- Select TIU #1
- Select Variable #1
- Press FXD once or twice until it says Variable #1 in Fixed Mode.
Repeat for TIU #2, Variable #1.
Now, press TR, select the track that you want to operate. Make sure that there's power going into its channel input. Select the track. The display will read 0 volts, however, the track ail have full power since the track is in Fixed mode.
Move the thumbwheel to put the track into Variable mode and adjust power. It will stay in variable mode until power to that TIU is turned off and on again, at which time it will be back in Fixed mode.
Hi Barry! Had a busy day officiating football so I just got to follow up on your correspondence and tried your suggestions. I believe I successfully named the first TIU and second TIU as suggested. I was able to get to the point on the remote where when I pushed the Track key I did see TIU#1VARIABLE#1 and TIU #2 VARIABLE #1 which is what you suggested I name. I then pressed TRACK and selected each of the two and the volts came up on the remote, but with the transformer handle power at 18 volts and a conventional engine in the respective track, the engine powered up but did not respond to the thumbwheel. The volts did change alittle as I rolled the thumbwheel but as I said I got no engine response. Both tracks had power which was evident as the red lights were on the TIU's. What do you think I did wrong?
Dan,
You need to use the DIR button to cycle the engine through forward, neutral, reverse.
When on the TR screen, the thumbwheewl is the throttle and the DIR, BELL and WHISTLE buttons work just like the buttons on a transformer.
Hi Barry!
I made an attempt with the DIR key and I get no response. The engine just sets, motor running in neutral I presume. Well, I at least can run the conventional with the transformer handle, although I was hoping the remote would do the job.
Dan
Dan,
I was hoping the remote would do the job.
Absolutely, the remote can operate conventional engines.
