Any one operating strictly MTH DCS with MTH HO

Hi John. I'm venturing into HO a bit recently and have their UP Alco PA's in the ABA configuration - all powered with sound/smoke. They are very nice and run smoothly with the club's Digitrax system. A few fellas have MTH but all operate with the club's system when there. I'll have to ask around to see if any of them use DCS at home.

Am posting here as I'd be curious as to the response as will others perhaps.

Nope.  I run MTH HO with DCC.  This was I can also run all the other brands of HO trains which either come with DCC, or those I've converted to DCC.

If MTH really wants to push DCS into the HO market they have to make affordable and easy to install DCS conversion kits for other brands of HO locomotives.

Stuart

A friend called MTH to get some technical advice about operating their HO engines with DCC.  My friend has several MTH engines on his large HO layout that is controlled by DCC.

As an aside, he asked the technician "How many people use your DCS system to run HO engines?"  The answer:  "None."

I think that the only people running MTH HO engines with DCS is MTH on their display layouts and maybe a handful of others.

NH Joe

I think the answer greatly depends on to whom you're directing the question.  If asking club operators or train forum readers then I would expect a different answer than from the casual user who, say, only runs a holiday loop around the tree.  Or for someone with just one engine (no plans for expansion) because they are an M&M fan, or some other "themed" set such as for a sports team, movie, etc.  I haven't looked recently but are there any DCC options where you can get "ready-to-run" (train, track, transformer) with wireless remote control for $200?  I wonder if someone hasn't written an app for a smartphone to use in place of the MTH remote!   

It would be my guess to say that in HO the numbers of DCS only users is very small just as the number of DCC users (in 3 rail O) is very small. The pros for DCC in HO far out weigh the pros for DCS in HO.

All opinion.

I ran my MTH Ho engines with dcs and even though they ran fine it was too restricting when running other brands. I have quite a few of older DC steam engines that I like to run.

Also the dcs signal had problems getting thru the power routing switches leading to my yards. 

For that reason I switched to a MRC tech 6. It allows you run both DC and DCC though not at the same time. It allows you to access all the sounds your engine has. I also get better power distribution into my yards using the tech 6. The tech 6 is not a full dcc system but it allows you to access a dcc engines sound and control. Plus it is much cheaper than a dcc system and very easy to hook up. The Tech 6 is best for small to medium sized layouts. 

I have used it now for about three years and love it. Google MRC tech 6 and find out all about it. 

Thank you all  for the impute. The reason is I am having a hell of a time with loading and keeping the engines  loaded with the DCS system. 

I had the same problem John. Dcs is a great system for O gauge but in Ho it has its problems. 

Dave

You might want to post your question in the DCS forum where the DCS folks can usually be found. I use DCS, but I am O gauge and don't know much about the HO stuff or the DCS Commander for HO.

FWIW, I had problems loading and finding engines at one time. Wiring my layout per the recommendations in the DCS Commander book (by one of our own forum members) solved all of my problems, But as I said I am in O gauge and I believe there are some differences.

To RTR12: I just did a experiment and deleted all my engines and then reloaded them one at a time running and testing each one. All loaded and ran with all extras  ie  horn, smoke, bell etc. I then decided to put one back on the track to test run it (Gevo). Turning the power to the track on, turning on the hand held, finding the engine, and pushing the start button, showed me this> a quick flash of CHECK TRACK and then the GEVO engine site. Pushing the start button , showed Engine not on track. 

This is showing me the TIU is not remembering the lowded engine. ????????  The TIU can be used for the O gauge or the HO. HO must be used with DC currant .   ????????????   Any thing, any body????????

Thanks any way RTR12

I think there are some specifics you have to do to run on DC using a TIU. However, I don't know what those are as I only have AC for O gauge.

Post your questions in the 'MTH DCS and PS2/PS3' forum and you will get more answers. There are MTH techs and other knowledgeable folks over there that probably don't read this forum. 

I had to return an HO F-3 because the super cap would not hold enough charge the length of time needed to remember its address upon shutting down. The symptoms were exactly what you are describing. It had to be reloaded into the remote every time I used it. The rest of my fleet work fine. I only run MTH DCS HO and love it. No need to remember codes.

I run strictly MTH HO using dcs. DCS HO requires DC voltage input. My track is sixty foot of Atlas code 100 flex track with no solder joints and the power leads only soldered to the track in one place. I use a 24 volt DC power supply and I've never had any issues what so ever with my dcs or engines. I run two gp38's with around fifty weighted cars with no problems ever. I'll post a video of the stump pullers here in a bit.

Here's a slow run by video.https://youtu.be/TqtXInY4VfY

Thank you guys,   I believe the TIU is forgetting the addresses of all the engines. I just did the Gevo and The H10 steamer and same thing." Engine no on track, check track. " The minute I turn just the power off, it losses the engine. 

The TIU doesn't forget the address.  What happens is that the remote doesn't see the confirmation signal from the engine.

Stuart

You need to shut down the loco with DCS otherwise it will not save the engine address to memory and you will have to re-add it every time. You cant just shut power off to the track. When you shut down the loco using button 6 it will run through the shutdown sequence then the last thing it does is save the DCS address

Just getting back to the forum.  The way I shut down is as follows: Directional button to stop, 6 button to shut down and wait till all power to eng. is stopped and all sound and lights are off. Then turn power from transformer off.  While I am on, an update. The engines I am having trouble with are on there way to MTh repair thanks to one of there teck,s. I did a reading on the signal and  all 10 and one 8 reading on the signal test and all drops disconnected gave me the 10 read so the problem as far as I can see is not on the layout. Now I have to re connect all the drops. As much fun as a hemorrhoid. LOL  Want to thank all who tried to help  me out and I do appreciate all of it.  

     Wishing you all a Very Merry Christmas  and a Healthy  New Year. 

               John Y.