So I bought a starter set in anticipation of using the new explorer. Well, the unit will not send power to the tracks. Any ideas? It looks defective to me which is most disappointing. I tested it with a regular hookup— it’s not the cables or the clip on
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Have you checked the DCS Explorer's internal fuse and also any circuit breaker that might be on the power supply that you're using?
Hi Barry:
User error. There is a learning curve for someone who has never used more than the old Command Control remote that used to come with starter sets.
I'm here to report that the track does not power until a train is on it, and you add the engine. It then powers just fine.
I managed to run three locos all at once; one PS3 and two PS2s --without any trouble.
Here's what this device can do, that I've figured out: front and rear couplers, horn/whistle, bell. forward, reverse, passenger train announcement sequence ( I only tested passenger train sets), power up/down, smoke on/off, throttle, factory reset. I don't know if I put a freight set on if it will allow me to turn on the passenger sounds that are in there--if it did it would be everything I could want. If it doesn't, it isn't worth it to me to upgrade to the full system just for that.
The throttle is tricky and takes some getting used to. I had a train going a 125 mph before I realized it.
All in all, I like it. The ability to add three engines and control them all at once is a vast improvement. I do think it's annoying that the app is not dedicated to the explorer. There are a bunch of features that only work with the advanced system. Rather than tempt me to want to upgrade, I think will turn off a lot of beginners to have an app that gives one the feeling that it only half works. It would be easy to code out the features that only work with the explorer and offer a dedicated app.
But that's really a small thing. MTH has always made really solid starter sets, I like them, and this one is an improvement on what came before.
Thanks for trying to trouble shoot this.
Thanks for posting this... I have a question.
What do you mean by this ... I don't know if I put a freight set on if it will allow me to turn on the passenger sounds that are in there.
Is there a way to do this with a DCS remote ?
Don't think you want the Remote Commander in-line with the DCS power like in the first picture...you're replacing that.
I thought this app was coded so the Explorer user won't see/show all the things it can't do?
I don't blame them for wanting maintain one peice of software - but leave the upgrade prompts for the full DCS users - who actually have cause to upgrade.
One suggestion for MTH - you need a "Demo" mode for the app...
I don't know if I put a freight set on if it will allow me to turn on the passenger sounds that are in there--if it did it would be everything I could want.
Yes, it will. The DCS Explorer will allow you to play whichever sound set is in a PS2 or PS3 engine, freight or passenger.
However, it will not play the transit station sounds that are in DCS subways, trolleys and some commuter trains. That feature is completely different from the freight and passenger sounds and does not play via the PFA button. It requires a TIU/WIU combination and the Premier version of the DCS App.
Roving Sign posted:Don't think you want the Remote Commander in-line with the DCS power like in the first picture...you're replacing that.
No, that was me using the commander alone to see if the cables were bad or whether I could get track to the power.