DCS Conventional control

How does you GF want to run his engine?  If you are going to run them via transformer handle, I would by-pass the tiu For that loop.  G

I thought one could not run Conventional locos on DCS?  At least that was what I was informed by a MTH RECENTLY. I looked in Barry's book on DCS but did not see any clear(to me) reference to running a conventional motor on a dcs setup.

what I was told was to use a completely separate power source in no way connected to a remote dcs power module.

maybe I'm the one confused now!!

I thought one could not run Conventional locos on DCS?

That's what the Variable Channels on the TIU will let you do, run conventional engines using the DCS handheld, you "vary" the voltage to the track.

Rufus,

I thought one could not run Conventional locos on DCS?  At least that was what I was informed by a MTH RECENTLY. I looked in Barry's book on DCS but did not see any clear(to me) reference to running a conventional motor on a dcs setup.

Of course you can operate conventional engines via the DCS Remote. It's explained in detail in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition in Part VII - Operating Conventional Engines.Part VII - Operating Conventional Engines.

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

What you really want is a  Z-4000 Remote control system 40-4001 from MTH on Page 162 of the 2014 Volume 1 catalog. It is nice that they are back in production for needs like yours. All that you really need is the receiver as your DCS controller will do the job as well. He may however be more comfortable with the one in the combo purchase.

Here is an older writeup of mine on how it works.

Q. My Z 4000 arrived today and I am considering looking for the remote system 40-4001 for it. Does the DCS handheld control the Z receiver directly? I see someone has two of these receivers for sale; are more than one needed?

A.

The receiver 40-4002 which plugs into the Z4k can interact with both the OLD remote 40-4000 OR the DCS remote 50-1002. We have two Z4ks and so have one receiver 40-4002 for each and one spare. These are out of production and are getting harder and harder to find. Some day if MTH does not produce them again, that remote control of the Z4k option will be gone. We also have two old style and two DCS remotes. We keep the two DCS remotes cloned and one is a used for backup only. My experience is that the DCS remote when properly setup is superior for operating DCS-PS2, OK for PS1 conventional, but cumbersome for 'action' operation of older Post War engines with wound motors. Action in this case means lots of start/stop, operating cars and accessories etc. What we do when running our ‘action’ conventional operation, is to use the OLD style remote for controlling TRACK voltage and use the DCS remote for controlling switches and accessories through the AIU. Using both at the same time makes the operation much more finitely controlled. When one tries using just the DCS remote for 'action ' operation of conventional engines and accessories, they will find it requires too many back and forth button pushes and wheel rotations to be comfortable and enjoyable. It is almost like watching three or four football games using a single TV remote, finger is never on the right channel at the right time. My advice would be to buy both receivers!

An really easy method is to use the transformer handle to vary the voltage just like the old days.... you can still have the dcs signal present and when you want to run command raise the transformer handle to full and select ENG . you can do this with any tiu channel (var set to fixed)  just a simple option.

At the same time?

Depending on how you wired in the TIU, it should be to hard moving plugs in and out, or use a 10a switch that does it for you.

If you are going to run together, either way will work, but as your GF is raising and lowering voltage, you might find yourself having to constantly manipulate speed too.

I still say if your GF wants to do it the way he did as a kid, he will use the transformer, and if he wants to learn new tricks he can use the remote.  You have 2 I assume, if you want to run your trains too?  G

Sure, why not? It is tricky to do, but very doable with the right combinations of engines and voltages. It is easier if the track allows a large separation of the two (or more) engines. That is one of the neat features of the DCS, and the TIU. Great invention. It would be nice if each person had his own remote when doing so.

Greg

Chris,

   Greg gave you the easiest way for him to run his conventionals, read Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion Vol 2, you can run your P2 & P3 engines even at the same time, on the same track when you set up correctly. 

PCRR/Dave