DCS driving me crazy.

Had similar issues. Every fix suggested didn't work. What did work -> run conventional. No BS, no headaches, just have fun. 

Thanks. i am just about ready to.

What version DCS is in the TIU's?

Reason I ask is you stated that you tried a remote with 4.20 loaded into it.

Since the original remote is 4.1, they must be 4.1 as I remember doing an up-grade to the old DCS and TIUs

Sometimes it helps to press the READ button on the handheld remote.

All remotes and TIUs must be same version of DCS.

On some versions, loco can only be brought out of inactive list if its on a track powered by the TIU on which it was added.

Are all remotes and all TIUs set to super mode?

This is one of the reasons I dumped DCS and run all Legacy only.  It just was not reliable and always when people came over to see trains run.  Always some weird problem, constant reloading, removing, adding, etc.  

Can you run MTH stuff with Legacy???

The read button recognizes all 3 TIUs

Not in command mode. You can only run them conventionally if you have the correct add on Legacy equipment like a Powermaster.

You can have both Legacy and DCS systems on your layout like you now have with DCS and TMCC.

I am new to DCS and have struggled getting it going.  Yes READ is your friend.  I have both my DCS engines running now.  However, it has been intermittent up until now.  I have not posted before now, because it has just been flaky.  Once I am on Christmas vacation I will have a week to spend more time with it and see if things are flakey again.

Good luck. Mine had been running for several years just fine...until now. As I said above READ shows me all 3 TIUs are there. But we are still at zero operation.

Maybe Barry (or others) will be along with some suggestions for you? I only have one TIU and 2 loops. The loop you have that works is just like mine. I am not familiar with multiple TIU operation or super TIU mode etc. or I would try to help you here.

If you don't have Barry's book The DCS O Gauge Companion, I would recommend it. There is really a lot of good helpful information in it and it explains a lot about the DCS system, wiring, engines, components, commands, etc. Much more than the manual explains.

Gentlemen,

    I have run DCS sense it came out, use Barry's book and watch the OGR Video Guide to DCS, and make sure all your DCS equipment is matched and if possible up to the latest changes.  Mismatching Hand held remotes and TIU's can cause all kinds of problems, if you can't bring your engines on line your TIU and hand held remote are probably mismatches badly.   I just experienced a run away because I forgot mismatching leads to big problems.  Lucky for me Barry had experienced a similar problem and I was given advise, and corrected the mismatched set up.  Gentlemen, DCS is great engineering technology, learn how to use it correctly and it functions perfectly, it's like any other kind of electrical technology you must use it correctly.

PCRR/Dave

I have Barry's book and Rich's DVD, and have used them in the process.  As I said, I hope I find things are working for good now.  Both book and DVD gave me hints on what to do. Where is a little smiley guy with his fingers crossed?

thank you all!

I don't understand what "mismatched" means in the reference above...can someone educate me...please???

Thanks,

Alan

Mismatched means that all remotes and all TIUs on the layout aren't using the same version of the DCS software.  All units should be running the same version, whatever it is.

Hardware versions can be of any type.  There has only been  one remote version.  The several TIU versions can all be used together.

Two things...

1. Run in Super TIU mode

2. Go to DCS 4.30. There's a BUG in 4.10/4.20 that won't allow engine's on tracks connected to TIUs where they weren't added, to get out of the Inactive list.

It's all in my book.

On a cruise, going to breakfast!  

Thanks to everyone for suggestions. I will attempt to upgrade everything to the latest versions.

Barry,

    Have fun on your cruise!

PCRR/Dave

Spending time on train matters while on a cruise is above and beyond the call of duty.

If you followed Barry's book, you should be just fine. The DVD is also a good reference, it explains things very well. I had a couple of temp layouts with no blocks, just loops of track with a power feed and no center rail isolation. It would refuse to find engines and other odd things every once in a while. With my more permanent setup, I now have blocks, it's all wired by the book and it is working perfectly. Only time I get a check track now is when I forget to turn power on to a siding and try to select the engine that is parked there with no power to it. Flip on the power and it's ready to go. I have even added Legacy and it works just as good as the DCS system. They both work quite well together.

I have been carefully studying your book  which I have and have been getting ready to update the TIUs and remote. Of course the latest problem is we run a MAC at home so now I have to find a PC to use. Enjoy your cruise.

Just an observation, but what condition is your track in?  The TMCC runs fine because the signals go through the air, and don't depend on the track, whereas DCS needs good connections through rail joints to operate properly.  I am thinking that maybe there could be spots where the pins have become slightly corroded or loose, causing intermittent power & signal outages.  We know that by disturbing the DCS signal, crazy things happen as the trains are getting info that contains glitches that duplicate normal functions otherwise.  It may be a good idea to do a signal check on your tracks to see if there is fluctuation in signal strength.  Press down on the end joints of the section you are checking to see if it affects the signal strength.  Don't forget the switches as well.  Also, check your connections between transformer, TIU, and track to make sure that they aren't loose.  I have had issues like this on a smaller scale with my layout, and discovered some loose pins and spotty low track signal around the layout.  Inspecting the integrity of the center rail connections and tightening any that were borderline eliminated the problem.

Just my 2 cents worth.  DCS is so enjoyable to use when it works properly.  Couldn't imagine running trains without it.  Hope you find the problems and get it to operate properly.  Having an issue that can not be easily corrected is very frustrating.  Good luck.    

Thank you everyone!  Very interesting.  Yes mine is right out of the box, remote and TIU. No upgrades.  The remote is 3.2 and I will have to check the TIU.  I would assume the same since they were in the same package, but who knows.  I have a brand new loop of Fastrack And that is all.  Si I see there are many things I need to do.  I was holding up on upgrading until I was more familiar with it, but I now see I should do that now.  It is interesting that a simple loop would mess with it, but I agree it is like any other processor based electronics, quirky things can happen.

thank you Barry, rtr12, MdMikey and everyone else!  I will get it straightened out this Christmas!

Upgrading is real simple.  Use the latest loader program, start the program, select nthe action you want to do, and follow the on-screen instructions in the order given.  If process fails, turn TIU off, and go back in the program to where you select action.

And if you need any assistance, you know where to come to get it! Lots of great help around here, that's for sure.