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I am running four loops with multiple track blocks using 2 Z4K transformers, one TIU and one AIU. Everything was operating fine, all PS-2 engines and lashups were identifed in the remote by the read command or could be added from inactive to active. Yesterday, I used E Stop to avert a collision after a coupler separated. Since then, I've had the following symptoms of failure/inoperation:

Although tracks are all powered, remote randomly does not see some or all of the engines on the track. With 7 engines on powered tracks, the remote shows "NO DCS ENGINES" on read command, or, randomly, will show two or three of the engines on, randomly, one or another of the four tracks, but not the rest of the engines. This has occurred both with engines that were already on the tracks when the E Stop was used, as well as other engines that were in the remote and had always worked fine before the E Stop....now the remote does not see them on a read command and cannot find them to add to active list.

The track signal was tested a week ago, with consistent 8-10 on all four concentric tracks. The TIU starts up with a single blink. Z4K shows appropriate voltage and amperage for each of the four tracks.

I'm wondering if I need to start from scratch, reset the remote, TIU and re-add all 30 engines again or if someone has had a similar problem before and has suggestions for solving the problem.

Thanks!
Kevin
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Kevin,

Although I'm a big believer in "cause and effect", I really can't see how pressing E-Stop could possibly cause the issue that you're experiencing.

I'm assuming, although you didn't actually say so, that the problem is occurring on all 4 loops. If not, I'd suggest moving the problem loop from its TIU channel to one of the others, and seeing if the problem moves to the other channel or stays with the loop. If it moves to the other channel, the problem is most likely in the track wiring. If not, it's probably the TIU channel.

If, however, the problem is on all of the loops, I suggest that you go back to basics:
• Disconnect the TIU from everything
• Connect a power source to the Aux. Power port
• Connect a test track to each channel, one at a time, and see if engines can be found and, if they can, measure DCS signal strength on each channel.
quote:
Yesterday, I used E Stop to avert a collision after a coupler separated.


I would say this is where the problem started. Were there any pieces/parts laying on the track? Are they still there? I lost a screw out of a Lionel Scout siderod once and didn't find it (between the rails) for about 6 months and only while I was dismantling the layout to move it.

The Emergency Stop should have just cut power.
quote:
• Connect a power source to the Aux. Power port
• Connect a test track to each channel, one at a time, and see if engines can be found and, if they can, measure DCS signal strength on each channel.

I certainly agree with Barry on this one... don't forget the tiu must be powered down for a few seconds along with the remote after an E-stop. That includes the aux power supply.
I began troubleshooting the problem last night. Disconnected everything from the TIU, powered everything off. Hooked up one track loop to fixed 1 and powered on the Z4K. Placed one engine on the track. At first, it found the engine and added it to active and it responded to control with 9 track signal. I then powered off the track, and added a second engine. Now it finds NO ACTIVE DCS engines either on Read or when attempt to add one of the engines from the inactive list. I'm going to try the other tracks this evening.
Kevin,
quote:
All 4 loops work as before with tethered remote
That's very good news. What it means is that the problem most likely is that the transceiver board in the TIU, remote or both has floated out of its socket and just needs to be gently pressed back down in.

This is covered on pages 155-156 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:

If the DCS Remote still cannot find the TIU, the problem may be due to a floating transceiver board in the TIU or the DCS Remote.
The process of determining if the transceiver board in the TIU or the DCS Remote has floated out of its socket is as follows:
• First, connect (tether) the DCS Remote's Programming (TIU Connection) port to the TIU's Remote Input port using a 4-conductor telephone handset cable
• Press the Read key on the DCS Remote
• If the message TIU ERROR appears in the DCS Remote's screen, it may be because one of the pins inside either the DCS Remote's Programming (TIU Connection) port or the TIU's Remote Input port is bent or shorted to another pin. Inspect these ports and straighten any bent pins before continuing. If the message TIU ERROR persists, the TIU or the DCS Remote may be damaged
• If the TIU is found, the problem most likely is that the transceiver board in the TIU or the DCS Remote has floated out of its socket.

Since reseating a floating transceiver board in the TIU is considerably easier than reseating the transceiver board in the DCS Remote, it's suggested to check the TIU first by proceeding as follows:
• Remove all connections to the TIU
• Turn the TIU over and remove the 6 Philips head screws that hold it together
• Turn the TIU right side up and remove the top half of the case
• Facing the channel input ports, the transceiver board is on the lower right side of the case. It will have a short black wire connected to it. This wire is the antenna
• Press down gently on the transceiver board to reseat it. Also ensure that the black wire antenna is lying flat. Do not under any circumstances lift up on the transceiver board or antenna!
• Place a piece of soft, nonconductive spongy material above the transceiver board so that it will hold the board in place when the top of the case is replaced
• Replace the cover, turn the TIU over and replace the screws
• Turn the TIU right side-up and reconnect all wires to the TIU.

Check if the problem is resolved. If not, proceed to reseat the transceiver board in the DCS Remote as follows: Opening the DCS Remote can be extremely difficult and can cause problems with the DCS Remote! You should consider having this done by an authorized MTH service center!
• Open the battery compartment door on the back of the DCS Remote and remove the batteries
• Remove the Philips head screw inside the battery compartment
• Before opening the DCS Remote's case, note that when the DCS Remote is opened, there will still be a black wire connecting the two halves of its case
• Begin to separate the two halves of the DCS Remote's case by pushing outwards from inside the battery compartment while squeezing the bottom portion of the top of the DCS Remote. This requires considerable patience, particularly when opening a DCS remote's case for the first time
• Once the bottom of the shell begins to separate, gently continue to separate the two halves of the case and open the DCS Remote like a book, taking care not to damage the wire connecting the two halves of the case
• The transceiver board is located at the top of the DCS Remote behind the LCD screen. Do not under any circumstances lift up on the transceiver board or black wire!
• Press down gently on the transceiver board to reseat it
• Place a piece of soft, nonconductive spongy material on top of the transceiver board so that it will hold the board in place when the DCS Remote is reassembled
• Carefully line up the two halves of the case and gently but firmly snap them back together
• Replace the Philips head screw, the batteries and the battery compartment door.


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 here to go to the web page for the book.

Or click here to see my ad on the FOR SALE Forum.

Smile

We have a similar problem:

We have two PS2 engines with a third on the way. We decided to
finally take the plunge and purchase the DCS/TIU. Everything worked
great for a day. My son hit the emergency stop to keep a train from
crashing. Right after that, the remote cannot find the engine. We've tried shutting everything down.  We've tried resetting the remote and the TIU.  We
tried the other PS2 engine, which was running well, and the DCS cannot
find it either. We switched over to the variable channel and the
engines will run and respond in conventional control, but still the
system will tell us that there are no DCS engines. When we try the
fixed output, the engines start up as soon as the power is turned on,
but they will not respond to any commands.
Any help anyone can give would be appreciated.

Any help anyone can give would be appreciated.

It sounds like you also may have the same problem discussed above. The problem most likely is that the transceiver board in the TIU, remote or both has floated out of its socket and just needs to be gently pressed back down in.


This is covered on pages 155-156 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:

If the DCS Remote still cannot find the TIU, the problem may be due to a floating transceiver board in the TIU or the DCS Remote.
The process of determining if the transceiver board in the TIU or the DCS Remote has floated out of its socket is as follows:
• First, connect (tether) the DCS Remote's Programming (TIU Connection) port to the TIU's Remote Input port using a 4-conductor telephone handset cable
• Press the Read key on the DCS Remote
• If the message TIU ERROR appears in the DCS Remote's screen, it may be because one of the pins inside either the DCS Remote's Programming (TIU Connection) port or the TIU's Remote Input port is bent or shorted to another pin. Inspect these ports and straighten any bent pins before continuing. If the message TIU ERROR persists, the TIU or the DCS Remote may be damaged
• If the TIU is found, the problem most likely is that the transceiver board in the TIU or the DCS Remote has floated out of its socket.

Since reseating a floating transceiver board in the TIU is considerably easier than reseating the transceiver board in the DCS Remote, it's suggested to check the TIU first by proceeding as follows:
• Remove all connections to the TIU
• Turn the TIU over and remove the 6 Philips head screws that hold it together
• Turn the TIU right side up and remove the top half of the case
• Facing the channel input ports, the transceiver board is on the lower right side of the case. It will have a short black wire connected to it. This wire is the antenna
• Press down gently on the transceiver board to reseat it. Also ensure that the black wire antenna is lying flat. Do not under any circumstances lift up on the transceiver board or antenna!
• Place a piece of soft, nonconductive spongy material above the transceiver board so that it will hold the board in place when the top of the case is replaced
• Replace the cover, turn the TIU over and replace the screws
• Turn the TIU right side-up and reconnect all wires to the TIU.

Check if the problem is resolved. If not, proceed to reseat the transceiver board in the DCS Remote as follows:Opening the DCS Remote can be extremely difficult and can cause problems with the DCS Remote! You should consider having this done by an authorized MTH service center!
• Open the battery compartment door on the back of the DCS Remote and remove the batteries
• Remove the Philips head screw inside the battery compartment
• Before opening the DCS Remote's case, note that when the DCS Remote is opened, there will still be a black wire connecting the two halves of its case
• Begin to separate the two halves of the DCS Remote's case by pushing outwards from inside the battery compartment while squeezing the bottom portion of the top of the DCS Remote. This requires considerable patience, particularly when opening a DCS remote's case for the first time
• Once the bottom of the shell begins to separate, gently continue to separate the two halves of the case and open the DCS Remote like a book, taking care not to damage the wire connecting the two halves of the case
• The transceiver board is located at the top of the DCS Remote behind the LCD screen. Do not under any circumstances lift up on the transceiver board or black wire!
• Press down gently on the transceiver board to reseat it
• Place a piece of soft, nonconductive spongy material on top of the transceiver board so that it will hold the board in place when the DCS Remote is reassembled
• Carefully line up the two halves of the case and gently but firmly snap them back together
• Replace the Philips head screw, the batteries and the battery compartment door.


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 here to go to the web page for the book.

Smile

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