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DCS conventional mode back to command mode: HOW

John C.John C.OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

I greatly appreciate all the instruction/advice that I've received on this Forum in regard to DCS.

 

The question tonight is this:  How does one resume command control immediately after conventional control without moving wires?

 

Specifically:  I have an MTH Z4000 Transformer.  I have one standard TIU.  My understanding is that you MUST wire through a variable channel for conventional control.

 

I connected both sides of MTH Z4000 Transformer: "A" (track 1) and "B" (track 2) to A--variable 1.  B--variable 2.  Conventional works!  WHAT DO I DO TO RESUME COMMAND AFTER I AM DONE OPERATING IN CONVENTIONAL MODE?

 

I can get Command to work by physically moving my wires from the two variable channels to the two fixed channels; but then of course the conventional won't work.

 

I know I'm missing something very simple here.  There has to be a way to switch back and forth on the DCS Remote between Command and Conventional without having to physically move wires.

 

What am I NOT getting?

 

Thank all of you!  I'm very close to have it all going; less this switching back and forth between Command and Conventional issue.

Last edited by John C.
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R RJROGR Forum Member

Leave wires on variable circuits.  Dial track voltage to about 17-18 volts.  Press eng button, select the loco you want, and press start up.

 

 

 My understanding is that you MUST wire through a variable channel for conventional control.

Only if you want to use remote to control conventional.  You can use fixed and run conventionl using the Z4000 handles.  When you want to run command, move levers to 17-18 volts, press ENG and startup, and you're running command with the remote.

Last edited by RJR
Marty FitzhenryMarty FitzhenryOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

I feed the transformer  wires to the center contacts of a DPDT switch.  Throw the switch one way and direct the wires to your TIU input.  Throw it the other way and you have conventional control.  I have another switch to keep the TIU from getting back fed when I (hardly ever) run something in conventional.  Figure it out and do the job one time.  These switches were put in when DCS came out.  The 4 switches cover two Z4K transformers to the 4 TIU channels.

 

 

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Last edited by Marty Fitzhenry
John C.John C.OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Thank you.  I did exactly ad u suggested.  The command engines can't be found.  I turned everything on and off.  I reset.  I can't get command to work from variable 1.  I can't use handles.  My layout is basement sized.  I need walk around capability.




div class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by RJR:
       

Leave wires on variable circuits.  Dial track voltage to about 17-18 volts.  Press eng button, select the loco you want, and press start up.

 

 

 My understanding is that you MUST wire through a variable channel for conventional control.

Only if you want to use remote to control conventional.  You can use fixed and run conventionl using the Z4000 handles.  When you want to run command, move levers to 17-18 volts, press ENG and startup, and you're running command with the remote.

R RJROGR Forum Member

What did you reset?  If you reset the remote, you wiped out the data, which includes locos.  To me, resetting a remote is to be avoided, especially if you have not backed up the data to a computer.

 

Are you powering the TIU itself through the AUX port with either a wall wart or a brick, or by applying power to fixed 1.

G GreggOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by John C.:
Thank you.  I did exactly ad u suggested.  The command engines can't be found.  I turned everything on and off.  I reset.  I can't get command to work from variable 1.  I can't use handles.  My layout is basement sized.  I need walk around capability.




div class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by RJR:
       

Leave wires on variable circuits.  Dial track voltage to about 17-18 volts.  Press eng button, select the loco you want, and press start up.

 

 

 My understanding is that you MUST wire through a variable channel for conventional control.

Only if you want to use remote to control conventional.  You can use fixed and run conventionl using the Z4000 handles.  When you want to run command, move levers to 17-18 volts, press ENG and startup, and you're running command with the remote.

RJR has it  right..... I'm not sure where you're at now but it seems var 1 is not putting out a dcs signal or your layout needs some wiring attention.

 

Anyway test VAR 1 in command mode with a short test  track... Set the channel to fxd and do a track signal test with a know good engine.   TIU must also be power up with power to fixed 1 or an aux power supply.

 

You do another thread with the same issues??         

 

 

 

 

John C.John C.OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER
Yes I do have another thread.  The explanation is simple.  I'm losing my marbles and have way too much going on!  Sorry.  I just realized very early this morning I had done that.  Chalk it up to old age.  Am I the only one who emails or texts himself messages so not to forget?



iv class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by Gregg:
       
Originally Posted by John C.:
Thank you.  I did exactly ad u suggested.  The command engines can't be found.  I turned everything on and off.  I reset.  I can't get command to work from variable 1.  I can't use handles.  My layout is basement sized.  I need walk around capability.




div class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by RJR:
       

Leave wires on variable circuits.  Dial track voltage to about 17-18 volts.  Press eng button, select the loco you want, and press start up.

 

 

 My understanding is that you MUST wire through a variable channel for conventional control.

Only if you want to use remote to control conventional.  You can use fixed and run conventionl using the Z4000 handles.  When you want to run command, move levers to 17-18 volts, press ENG and startup, and you're running command with the remote.

RJR has it  right..... I'm not sure where you're at now but it seems var 1 is not putting out a dcs signal or your layout needs some wiring attention.

 

Anyway test VAR 1 in command mode with a short test  track... Set the channel to fxd and do a track signal test with a know good engine.   TIU must also be power up with power to fixed 1 or an aux power supply.

 

You do another thread with the same issues??         

 

 

 

 

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