DCS question- what's the difference?

The DCS Commander (not the full blown DCS system) will only output DC current no matter what the input voltage type.  Older PS2 engines cannot operate on DC current which would require them to use the regular DCS System.  The DCS Commander will hold less engines and can activate less features than the regular DCS System.  There are other differences as well.  I would go for the DCS System.

Bill,

The DCS Commander (not the full blown DCS system) will only output DC current no matter what the input voltage type. 

That's correct.

Older PS2 engines cannot operate on DC current which would require them to use the regular DCS System. 

That's not correct. Older 5 volt PS2 engines most certainly can operate on DC voltage, as long as they're under DCS control. If you've seen that in the DCS Commander documentation, the documentation is wrong.

The DCS Commander will hold less engines and can activate less features than the regular DCS System.  There are other differences as well. 

That's correct. Most notably, this includes lashups and Record/Playback.

There is an entire section in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition devoted to the DCS Commander, including the differences between it and a complete DCS/TIU set.

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 on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

I was not aware of this.  I don't remember seeing this in the DCS Commander manual but I do remember the older 5-volt PS2 manuals stating that they could be operated with most AC transformers.  Since DC transformers are not mentioned at all, one would naturally come to the conclusion that they are off limits.

Thanks for the information Barry.

Bill,

Since DC transformers are not mentioned at all, one would naturally come to the conclusion that they are off limits.

DC transformers are not mentioned because the early 5 volt PS2 engines cannot run conventionally on DC voltage. It causes them to constantly sound their horns or whistles. They run fine on DC under DCS.

That's very interesting. I've always been under the impression that the older 5 volt systems would not work on DC. I can't remember where I read it though.

Thanks, Barry.  That's good to know.

Dave,

Read my previous post.

I didn't know that...Ok, I knew you wouldn't get the speaker announcements with the "box/base" while you did with the handheld{pretty neat...don't know about the mp3 music going thru the train option though...why?}, but I didn't know the "box/base" has less engine controlling capability...meaning a lessor number of engines. Good thing to know though I'll never have that many engines...maybe.

I'm starting to lean towards the "mobility" aspect since it's alittle more but will no doubt prove it's worth in the short and long run.

Barry- dumb question for the currently DCS challenged- {"ME"}...is your 2nd edition all inclusive{1st and 2nd part}, or will I need to invest in a 1st edition too..I know I will need all I can get for info and help....you can tell I haven't looked yet.  

About 10min ago I finished this 5 part youtube vid that goes over all the buttons of the MTH "full system" remote...wow, neat and well shot though the handheld display was hard to read for me...still, well done!

That, however did not go into the full aspect of TIU wiring so I figure Barry's book will go that route..now to look for a full handheld system at a good price...

Thanks all for your input!

is your 2nd edition all inclusive{1st and 2nd part}, or will I need to invest in a 1st edition too.

Yes, it is. Everything in the first edition is in the second edition, as well as much more.