dcs signel lost on variable channel converted to fixed

Using the remote, make sure that somehow the DCS signal has not been turned off on that channel.  Try switching the block between 2 TIU outputs and see if the problem moves or stays with the block.  If the former, it's the TIU; if the latter, some glitch in the wiring.  Since it did work, carefully check the wiring to make sure a connection hasn't failed.

Note that the Legacy not working isn't really connected to the loss of the DCS signal, the two don't really have much in common, other than wire.

 

When I placed block on another channel, it worked.  I still have to do some more detective work. thank you for your suggestions.

When I placed block on another channel, it worked

Try this: Menu/System/DCS Setup and press the AON soft key.

Did you have a derailment or a short on the variable channel at some point.  You may have a damaged component that is killing DCS signal.  Interesting that it may be effecting TMCC on that channel too.  TIU can be repaired.   G

Try disconnecting your TMCC cable from the TIU. This recently happened to my varible 1. Signal was weak to none. TIU reset did nothing but I disconnected the TMCC cable from the TIU and had 10 signal

Asheville,

   Guns is absolutely correct, DCS and Legacy run on completely different engineering technology.  It sounds as if you have some mis-wiring done, I suggest you check and rewire properly, go slow and check as you go.  If however you have a faulty TIU it will need repaired, however with both the Legacy and DCS both down, Check your wiring 1st, then the fuse in the TIU.  If you do not have 10 Amp Breakers between your Transformers and your TIU, you may have blown a TIU fuse.

PCRR/Dave

If a fuse blows, there will be no power output.  It won't cause there to be no DCS signal but power still on.

 

If the block works fine on another channel, wiring should be ok.

 

Did you follow Barry's recommendation?  That's the first thing to check.  Also make sure than  the black output of that channel is connected to the layout outside rail.  ONly Rev G TIUs have the black connected together internally.

Power but no dcs signal.....  The signal is either turned off or a  faulty signal generator.  Try turning it on as barry mentioned  and I would also disconnect the command base as mentioned.

I should have noticed this before, however, if you're using a channel other than Fixed #1, you must have the TIU getting power for itself, some other way. It can only get power either via Fixed #1 Input or the Aux. Power port.

You raised an interesting question, Barry, one I've never investigated.  If no power is applied to AUX or FIXED 1, FIXED 2 will pass power but without a DCS signal, as I recall.  If a VARIABLE is set to fixed, will it pass power but without a DCS signal?  What if it is not set to fixed, or has been set to fixed but voltage has been scrolled?

 No power to fixed 1 and  no aux power supply.  the var channels are dead whether in var  or fixed mode.

Robert,

 

I know that if a variable channel is in variable mode, it will not pass power if the TIU isn't powered. However, I actually don't recall if that's the case when it's in fixed mode.

 

Although I suspect that Gregg is correct, when I have an opportunity, I'll check it out.

Gregg is correct.

I should add that if the power supply feeding the AUX port fails, either internally, through a connection failure, or through getting knocked out of the 120-volt socket (that would never happen to me), then so long as the plug remains in the AUX socket, FIXED 1 will also pass power, with no DCS signal.  Drove me nuts until I realized the internal LED wasn't lit.

You guys go down a ton of rabbit holes that have nothing to do with where the fox is. Making it confusing to help the person with the problem. 

 

Why bring up all this misc. info?  He stated he has voltage out just no dcs signal.  Either it is off, wired backwards or the signal gen is bad.

 

Not fuses, not method of powering, not phase of the moon on the 4 day of the 3rd week!  G

GGG,

   My mistake about the fuses, and you are correct in your assessment.

PCRR/Dave

George,

Not fuses, not method of powering, not phase of the moon on the 4 day of the 3rd week! 

I don't believe that, as I suggested early on, checking to ensure that the DCS signal is actually turned on falls into that category.

You guys go down a ton of rabbit holes that have nothing to do with where the fox is...Not fuses, not method of powering, not phase of the moon on the 4 day of the 3rd week!

Did you have a bad day GGG?  Your criticism is not justified!.

 

The suggestion as to fuses was rejected by RJR shortly after it was posted.  Take a look at what was posted:

1. RJR suggested a test to pinpoint whether it was layout or TIU, and if the latter to check that signal was on.

2. After Asheville pinpointed the TIU, BB supplemented this with the remote keystrokes to turn the signal on.

3. RJR asked if Asheville had followed BB's suggestion, and added to check the black ouput from the problem channel.

4. BB correctly noted that Asheville had never stated that he had only one TIU, and added that the TIU has to be powered by AUX or FIXED 1.

5. RJR supplemented this by noting that there could have been a failure of the power supply.

 

I submit that every one of these checks should be run before concluding that a signal generator has failed, and Asheville has not responded other than with the pinpointing information.

 

If the TIU were mine, before contacting GGG regarding having him do a repair, I would also open the case and perform a visual check of connections, traces, and components.

 

RJR, No I had a great day and I do think the criticism is justified.  I did it semi jokingly but it has merit in my mind.

 

After River Rails post, the 7th post of this topic, all the info need is present.  Now we just wait until the original poster can come back with more info.

 

There were 9 more post before I posted my smart alec remark and none from the original poster.  Does he have to read all that stuff too?

 

How many TIU have you repaired?  Personally, I have not seen any burned traces or damaged components when repairing TIU.  None!  Now I know early non fused models could burn traces, and I have detected some overheated inductors, but no chips that burn up or other obvious signs.  Especially to some one that doesn't do electronic repairs.

 

This wasn't a what's you opinion of post.  I think it much better for technical solution section to be cleaner, smaller and on point.  Makes it easier for the original poster to get his issue resolved, and makes it much easier for the next person that does a search to get his same issue fixed.

 

His TIU had control of the variable channel, his other 3 channels work.  He had voltage out of the variable channel.  His block worked on another channel.

 

That makes it a TIU issue with DCS output of that channel only.  So until original poster comes back, I will step off the soap box.   G

After River Rails post, the 7th post of this topic, all the info need is present

Not quite correct, GGG.  My later post regarding fuses was pertinent.  A loose ground wire gave me signal problems some 10 years ago.

Personally, I have not seen any burned traces or damaged components when repairing TIU.  None!

I believe that over the years there have been threads mentioning this, possibly on Rev Gs.  I also recall reports of overheating marks on the terminals of other Rev TIUs, from looseness.  Anything is possible, and if something is possible, sooner or later it will happen.  It doesn't take brilliance or great experience to observe a burn mark or something similar.

makes it much easier for the next person that does a search to get his same issue fixed.

The next person would be helped by knowing of the TIU power supply issue as a cause of signal loss.  It would, of course, affect all channels, but here Asheville never stated he had but one TIU.  So Barry made sure all the bases were covered.  I agree with his philosophy: to me, the forum is a training program rather than merely a problem-solver.

 

I agree that there is much irrelevant or inaccurate or misleading stuff posted.  But what the heck, it's a discussion among friends and errors can be corrected by another person.

 

On that note, I hope today is great for you also.  Relax.

 

Ok, If you think that is useful.  Lets make this post 10 pages long.

 

If some one ask a solution to a specific symptom listing every possible fault an item can have even if no bearing on the symptoms presented is not helpful IMHO.

 

Fuses no go.  I doubt a loose connector too unless it effected the voltage too, but keep reaching.    G

 

 

I doubt a loose connector too unless it effected the voltage too, but keep reaching

I actually did have that happen.  Unknown to me, a ground connection behind the control panel got loose, and signal strength gradually dropped. I thought the Rev G TIUs were failing. 

 

Voltage did not drop because of a peculiar way I have wired my layout, so that the common buss does not go through the TIUs  (all black outputs are wired to the buss).

 

I would disagree with you on the need to make this thread 10 pages long.