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DCS System problem!

DV dan venetOGR Forum Member

I just finished wiring up my DCS system which at this point includes one TIU with two AIU's ( switched only at this point). The system is wired into the Fixed In and Out ports on the TIU. With numerous PS2 engines on the track I cannot get the engines loaded into the system. I do get the red light ( one blink ) indicator on the TIU when I powerup the transformer (Z4000) initially at 18volts. I went to MENUE, then SYSTEM, then ENGINE SETUP, then ADD ENGINE, then ADD MTH ENGINE, and then my problem seems to start at that point.  The remote then reads "Looking for Engine" and also then indicates "No Engine To ADD" yet I have an engine on the track with interior light and illuminated caboose also lite.  I did push the READ button on the remote and it said" found TIU address with two AIU boxes".  I do eventually get a window on the remote which reads"  Inactive Eng.

          INA  S/U all

 

At this point I am not having fun with my DCS System but I have too much $$ invested at this point to give up on the system. There are to many positives not to get it right. Is it something with my wiring? At this point any suggestions for those who successfully run DCS would be very much appreciated! Thanks

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E ekazOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Dan,

Is there more than one engine on the track as you try to load them into the system? Sometimes one engine at a time works best. I think there is a way to be sure the DCS signal is on for the fixed one channel. If you have Barry's book you will surely find a way to walk you through the problem. Not time to despair yet. Soon all lithe knowledgeable DSC guys will come to your rescue as they always do. This sounds like a fixable problem.

Most of us have been in your situation starting out.

Ed

DD Diesel DanOGR Forum Member

Try hooking the TIU to a separate piece of track and then try to load the engines it into the remote. One engine at a  time.

After they are  loaded, hook the TIU back into the layout wiring and the remote should be able to find the engines.

there may be some interferance that is causing the  TIU and remote from not seeing the engines on the layout.

 

dan

DV dan venetOGR Forum Member
My new PS3 engine had no sounds or lights but another PS2 Southern engine also had no lights or sounds but my SubWay had lights but no sound.     Originally Posted by Gregg:

I agree with Dan, Try adding one engine using a small test track,

Short question... when you power up the layout do the engines start up with sound  and lights or do they remain dark and silent?

 

DV dan venetOGR Forum Member
Thanks I will set up a piece of track and run a seperate red and black wire from the TIU fixed out port to the track and try that.Originally Posted by Diesel Dan:

Try hooking the TIU to a separate piece of track and then try to load the engines it into the remote. One engine at a  time.

After they are  loaded, hook the TIU back into the layout wiring and the remote should be able to find the engines.

there may be some interferance that is causing the  TIU and remote from not seeing the engines on the layout.

 

dan

 

Barry BroskowitzBarry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Dan,

My new PS3 engine had no sounds or lights but another PS2 Southern engine also had no lights or sounds but my SubWay had lights but no sound.

That's completely normal and means that the engines are seeing a DCS watchdog signal when they power-on.

 

What release of DCS are you running? Early DCS 4.0x releases had trouble adding engines, with symptoms just like yours. The workaround for those releases was to connect a 4-conductor telephone handset cable between the TIU and the remote before attempting to add engines.

 

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!

 
 
DV dan venetOGR Forum Member
Hi Barry! I do have your 2nd Edition. I will go into the book. I do have the 4.0 addition of DCS so I will borrow the home phone cable and give that a go. If it works I will have to purchased a phone cable at Wal Mart. Thanks Again. I will keep you posted if you don't mind as I am sure I will have other questions, and I will dive into your 2nd edition book.Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:

Dan,

My new PS3 engine had no sounds or lights but another PS2 Southern engine also had no lights or sounds but my SubWay had lights but no sound.

That's completely normal and means that the engines are seeing a DCS watchdog signal when they power-on.

 

What release of DCS are you running? Early DCS 4.0x releases had trouble adding engines, with symptoms just like yours. The workaround for those releases was to connect a 4-conductor telephone handset cable between the TIU and the remote before attempting to add engines.

 

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!

 
 

 

DV dan venetOGR Forum Member

I do have the 4.2 version of DCS. I tried to use a regular telephone cable to see if an engine would load as Barry suggested and my PS2 Subway engine would set on the track with interior lights on and no sounds whatsoever. When I went through the menu on the remote and added MTH engine all I got was "check track"  and then "engine error". The Read button still says" found TIU address with two AIUs". My next step will be the test track to determine if I have a wiring problem.

G GreggOGR Forum Member

I don't think you have a wiring problem if the engines are dark and silent. You may have a low dcs signal on fixed 1 though.   TIU 'ERROR" with version 3.11 means the engine is already added to the remote and is usually in the inactive list however you're at 4.2 so this shouldn't apply. I would start from scratch.

 

Reset remote under the remote set up menu

 

Menu/system/ remote set up/ reset remote.

 

Now try and add one engine, If  a no go  with the remote tethered or not tethered  you may have to use fixed 2 instead of fixed 1. however there's a catch, the tiu must be turned on with either  power to fixed 1 or an aux power supply,

Lets say you're powering the tiu with fixed 1.... jumper fixed 1 in over to fixed 2 in , red to red and black to black. , fixed 2 out should go to the track, test track.

Try adding again, one at a time.

 

DV dan venetOGR Forum Member
Thanks Gregg!  For whatever reason the suggestion to enter each engine from a test track worked. I was able to add three engines that way then rehooked the original wires back into the fixed output and bingo..... I guess I've handlded that brief obstacle with the help from all those who gave advice on the forum.   Thanks to all for the DCS help. Now if I can find out why my birthday present ( PS3 Steam Turbine ) won't work in any mode conventional or DCS that would be great. Back to the train room.Originally Posted by Gregg:

I don't think you have a wiring problem if the engines are dark and silent. You may have a low dcs signal on fixed 1 though.   TIU 'ERROR" with version 3.11 means the engine is already added to the remote and is usually in the inactive list however you're at 4.2 so this shouldn't apply. I would start from scratch.

 

Reset remote under the remote set up menu

 

Menu/system/ remote set up/ reset remote.

 

Now try and add one engine, If  a no go  with the remote tethered or not tethered  you may have to use fixed 2 instead of fixed 1. however there's a catch, the tiu must be turned on with either  power to fixed 1 or an aux power supply,

Lets say you're powering the tiu with fixed 1.... jumper fixed 1 in over to fixed 2 in , red to red and black to black. , fixed 2 out should go to the track, test track.

Try adding again, one at a time.

 

 

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