DCS Questions

patternpilot posted:

My very first post as the OP. Been lurking and made a few comments on others posts so here goes. 

I finally got my layout up and running after a year and a half of preparation and building. I have a TUI, Wifi and using the app on my tablet. I am using a rebuilt Post war ZW. I set my transmitter voltage to 20 volts as shown on a voltmeter but I am seeing through the app that the TUI is reporting back 25 to 26 volts on the track. The voltmeter when placed on the track shows closer to the transmitter voltage. So my question is this normal to see this voltage as reported by the TIU. My track signal is 10 all around the track. I should add that I have 9 districts. 

One other question is that I tried to feed the two separate wiring blocks that feed the districts each using a variable channel from the TIU and when I tried to run conventional engines all the controls on the app screen were grayed out. The only way it will work is to combine the two into into one variable channel. Now conventional engines work on variable and the one PS3 engine I have work as expected after changing the variable channel to fixed. Anyone know why the controls would be grayed out? Some sort of conflict? The TIU is is powered from a separate power supply. Hope I explained this properly so it is clear.  One other thing. Has anyone noticed that when the WIU is plugged into the TIU it powers the TIU?

Do you have Barry’s 3rd edition.  Must have from the getgo 

patternpilot posted:

.....So my question is this normal to see this voltage as reported by the TIU. My track signal is 10 all around the track. I should add that I have 9 districts. 

Anyone know why the controls would be grayed out? Some sort of conflict?

 

The TIU is is powered from a separate power supply. Hope I explained this properly so it is clear.  One other thing. Has anyone noticed that when the WIU is plugged into the TIU it powers the TIU?

1.  I'm not familiar with the TIU reporting power, I'm thinking it's the engine that shows power to the track. So I'll have to go check!

2. I've only seen things grayed out when the app wasn't the full one (beginner version) or not up to date in the release or something wasn't available to use. What version is your app? Is that channel of the TIU working properly?

3. The tiu gets power from the WIU only enough to power the processor. You still have to have power to the TIU to operate engines.

Barry's book does cover all of this. I'm just an operator so the techs (or our 9 year old grandson!) will know more.

I have both of Barry's books and more and have been reading them for a year. I have the premium version of the app. Both channels are working but strange things happened while using them split, with one variable channel powering each half of the track. By the way the layout is 130 ft. in length. Conventional engines will slow down on their own and adding power will not speed them up. Only shutting the system down and restarting will correct the issue. I have checked for shorts, miss wiring and like I mentioned in my first post I am getting good signal which I believe will not be present if there is a wiring problem.  The layout is working but was interested as to what may cause the system to not operate using both variable channels. According to Barry's book this track length is not too long to use just one channel. 

When you say that shutting it down cures the problem, does it then run the conventional engines at proper speed? Sounds like a bug in the app or DCS version.

What version of DCS is in the TIU?

Has the pro app updated itself? ( are you on home network or MTH?)

I don't run any conventional thru the TIU, so I'm not really familiar with what you're seeing. I have seen recent posts of problems using the app and the variable channels. So maybe someone with experience will chime in here.

Just to cover the basics when you say that each variable channel powers one-half of the layout.

Is each half electrically separated from the other ? If you shut down one channel, have you checked the other half of the track with a meter to see if voltage is somehow still passing through ?

Have you tried swapping variable channels to each half and see if the issue still persists ?

Have you tried using fixed outputs to each half and lowering the voltage using the transformer handles and see if the issue resolves itself ? 

patternpilot posted:

...According to Barry's book this track length is not too long to use just one channel. 

Strange problem.  I would try all the good suggestions from the others above, but in addition, have you tried using just one channel for the entire layout? If so, what happens then? Might offer a clue to something causing the problem. As you say, one channel should easily handle 130' of track.

My conventional running with a variable channel is very limited, only one time several years ago. That was just to see if my daughters old train set from 1981 still worked. I use command control only, so the variable stuff is seldom used around here and I have very limited experience with it, but it operated without problems the one time I tried it. Just swapped wires on the TIU for control of one loop of track. My loops are all isolated from each other.

For me, proper blocking and power drops as per Barry's books made a HUGE difference in no longer getting any DCS errors on my current permanent layout. I've had nothing but operator (me) induced errors since, nothing caused by DCS itself. I had DCS errors wit all my previous 'temporary' layouts. They were so small I didn't think the wiring would matter so I just hooked things conveniently. As it turns out it did make a BIG difference, as I have now learned. Made a believer out of me!

Also, for using the wifi and the app I believe it's very important to have the latest software/firmware updates on ALL of your DCS components. I think that used to be one of the first things Barry used to recommend when one was having difficulties. 

Richie C. posted:

Just to cover the basics when you say that each variable channel powers one-half of the layout.

Is each half electrically separated from the other ? If you shut down one channel, have you checked the other half of the track with a meter to see if voltage is somehow still passing through ?

Yes they are sperate. Each half will run independant. I have checked each block to make sure they are insulated from each other. I am using the home run type of wiring. No continuity or  voltage from one to the other.

Have you tried swapping variable channels to each half and see if the issue still persists ?

I have not tried this but can't see how that will tell me anything since they both work.

Have you tried using fixed outputs to each half and lowering the voltage using the transformer handles and see if the issue resolves itself ? 

I changed the output to fixed and that is how I am running my DCS engines. Works fine.

rtr12 posted:

patternpilot posted:

...According to Barry's book this track length is not too long to use just one channel. 

Strange problem.  I would try all the good suggestions from the others above, but in addition, have you tried using just one channel for the entire layout? If so, what happens then? Might offer a clue to something causing the problem. As you say, one channel should easily handle 130' of track.

My conventional running with a variable channel is very limited, only one time several years ago. That was just to see if my daughters old train set from 1981 still worked. I use command control only, so the variable stuff is seldom used around here and I have very limited experience with it, but it operated without problems the one time I tried it. Just swapped wires on the TIU for control of one loop of track. My loops are all isolated from each other.

For me, proper blocking and power drops as per Barry's books made a HUGE difference in no longer getting any DCS errors on my current permanent layout. I've had nothing but operator (me) induced errors since, nothing caused by DCS itself. I had DCS errors wit all my previous 'temporary' layouts. They were so small I didn't think the wiring would matter so I just hooked things conveniently. As it turns out it did make a BIG difference, as I have now learned. Made a believer out of me!

Also, for using the wifi and the app I believe it's very important to have the latest software/firmware updates on ALL of your DCS components. I think that used to be one of the first things Barry used to recommend when one was having difficulties. 

Everything is new but one of the first things I did upon power up was check all the versions. I can confirm they are all the latest version.

The wiring is as shown in the DCS Companion book, all home run type.

Currently I am running on one channel with good DCS signal every where. Just seems to be a problem when running conventional and using two variable outputs.  I am still perplexed with the track voltage though. Transmitter is putting out 20 volts but the engine-TIU is reporting 26 volts. I measured with a good meter so I am thinking this reported back voltage is bogus.

https://ogrforum.com/...y-voltage-difference

https://ogrforum.com/...ack-voltage-readings

https://ogrforum.com/...voltage-test-via-dcs

https://ogrforum.com/...iable-tracks-1-and-2

I don't use my TIU for conventional operation, so my knowledge is limited. However, I do have a copy of the DCS Wifi Companion, and I found some information that may help you.

Have you created a TIU Track (using the app) for each of the variable channels of your TIU. The process is described on pages 126-131 of the DCS Wifi Companion. From the instructions, it looks like you need to create separate tracks so that you can select which variable output you want to control at any given time.

johnf posted:

I don't use my TIU for conventional operation, so my knowledge is limited. However, I do have a copy of the DCS Wifi Companion, and I found some information that may help you.

Have you created a TIU Track (using the app) for each of the variable channels of your TIU. The process is described on pages 126-131 of the DCS Wifi Companion. From the instructions, it looks like you need to create separate tracks so that you can select which variable output you want to control at any given time.

 One thing I found that caused other issues, was powering a power district with two separate channels. I found the wire that was on the wrong channel and placed it with the other ones,  so every wire in the district would have the same channel and that took care of my problem. I suggest you place some passenger cars around and see if any are lit that should not be.  I would start there to true your wiring.  Just a obsessed novice speaking.

patternpilot posted:

...The wiring is as shown in the DCS Companion book, all home run type.

If you followed the book, I imagine you did all this...but isolating the center rails between blocks is important and even more important would be isolating the variable 1 section from the variable 2 section. 

See the links Engineer Joe posted above about the inaccurate voltage readings. I think this has been an ongoing problem.

Engineer-Joe posted:

https://ogrforum.com/...y-voltage-difference

https://ogrforum.com/...ack-voltage-readings

https://ogrforum.com/...voltage-test-via-dcs

https://ogrforum.com/...iable-tracks-1-and-2

 

 

Thanks Joe. Those threads you listed answer the voltage question. I'll believe my volt meters. Thanks again.