dcs help 2

The aux power input allows you to power the TIU itself, so that it is always available without relying on the power supply itself.  

 

Otherwise power has to be applied to Fixed Input #1 for the TIU itself to receive power.

 

If the TIU is unpowered then you will receive the engine not on track indication.

 

Equally, if the TIU is powered, but there is no power to the track (no power supply hooked to a fixed input or TIU problem) you will receive the engine not on track indication.

 

I had a problem with my Rev. L TIU last year where the TVS, or transient voltage suppressor, inside the TIU for Fixed One had failed.  As a result the circuit breaker on my power supply would trip until I replaced the TVS (which needs to be soldered in place inside the TIU).

If thats the case mth can fix it.  I already have a engine under warranty to be fixed

Re-read the post above this one. The TIU must have power for itself in order for any channel to work. When you only have power into Fixed #2 Input, the TIU's internal red LED will not be lit and, even though there's power going to the tracks connected to Fixed #2, there isn't a DCS signal on those tracks. That's why the engine comes on right away in conventional mode, and you're getting ENGINE NOT FOUND.

 

Do you have different tracks connected to Fixed Out #1 and Fixed Out #2, or are you just swapping the output from Fixed #1 to Fixed $2 when you move the Z750 from Fixed In #1 to Fixed In #2?

 

If you're swapping the outputs, then the problem is almost certainly with the TIU's Fixed channel #1.

 

However, if the tracks connected to Fixed #1 and Fixed #2 are different, the problem could be a short somewhere in the tracks connected to Fixed #1. In this case, swap the output of the two fixed channels and leave the Z750 connected to Fixed #1. See if the circuit breaker still trips.

hrspla,

   Pick up a copy of Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion book, and the OGR Video Guide to DCS, save your self a lot of frustration.  DCS is an engineering education in itself.

PCRR/Dave

I agree with Dave from the Pine Creek Railroad.

Order both of these items shown in the picture and the money you spend will be saved in frustration later on.

 

I just watched the O Gauge Railroading DCS Video the other day just as a refresher course.

I have been using the DCS system for about 8 years and these two items have been very helpful.

 

PCRR/Dave and Mark above have good advice on the book and video. They are both great assets to have along with your DCS system.

My layout is a oval on the floor

When the breaker trips It is the only thing pluged into the tiu. The track is not even connected yet.  

As soon as i hook up in to fixed 1  It trips my power brick. Noother wires are connected.

Just so I have it clear:  My understanding is that you have a Z750.  You connector the controller and the power supply.  You then plug one wire from the controller into FIXED INPUT 1 red and the other into FIXED INPUT 1 black, and the breaker in the Z6750 power supply opens instantly.  If I have these facts correct, the TIU must be defective and since it is new it is covered by warranty.  I'd do a visual check of the outside and call MTH or bring it back to where you bought it.

yes RJR you are correct.

The there is only one conclusion:  return it for repair or replacement under warranty.  I suggest that first thing in the morning (actually, I think they only take servce calls starting at noon), you call MTH and speak to tech support.  See what they have to say. 

As I found out last Friday, MTH Technical Support is only open for customer calls from 1200 to 1700 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  Diana was my call screener when I was informed about the days and times.

Thanks for the refresher, Rick.

 

hrspla, if you bought it from a local hobby shop, I'd contact them tomorrow.  They may swap it out if recently purchased, as customer appreciation service.

 

As an afterthought, if the Z750 is plugged into the wall and the controller connected to it with the output cable on the controller, will the breaker pop if not connected to the track?  Leaving it disconnected from the track, turn the controller up full and juggle all the plugs/sockets. Just to make sure there's nothing wrong with the Z750 wires & plugs.

This issue with the circuit breaker popping instantly is the same issue I had with my Rev L TIU. It happened right out of the box. Before finding this forum I had to troubleshoot it on my own and discovered that an internal part was defective. Luckily, it's an inexpensive part and readily available online.
I had called MTH and had the Warranty work authorized, but the turn-around time that they quoted me scared me off. So I opted to repair it myself.
If you know how to solder, you can do this for less than the cost of shipping it to MTH. If you don't know how to solder, you may consider shipping it to GGG or Gunrunnerjon. Either option will be save you many weeks.  Let us know which option you choose. I can post the info on how to determine which component is dead as well as where to buy a new one of you want to go that route.  I just don't have the info with me at this moment.

I called and added it to my ra# of the engine I have to send back.  I bought the dcs at mr muffins trains.  I did a phone order so no way I can take it back.

As long as you're sending something to MTH, adding a TIU doesn't add much to shipping charges.  I expect that Mr. Muffin, with whom I dined at York last Oct, would take care of a customer, even a mail order customer.

I will call mr muffin and ask him

 

They said to send it to mth.  Because thats what he would do.

hrspla,

  It's a bummer having to send a brand new DCS back, I had this happen on the very 1st DCS TIU that came out, it is frustrating, no doubt about it.  It was made right in minimal time, and I am still running DCS today.

PCRR/Dave