DCS variable channels

To run command or conventional you need a power supply (full power) to the var input side) whatever channel your using . Var out to the track. The tiu needs to be turned on with power to fixed 1 or an aux [power supply.

 

 

To run conventional use the TR button and select var  and scroll up the voltage to whatever is needed.  .

 

To run command scroll up the voltage to around 20 volts and then  use the ENG command on the remote.

 

 To go back to conventional. select the TR button again .

I run conventional by powering the layout with the power to the DCS system turned off.  Works great using the same transformers manually.

Kerrigan,

I run conventional by powering the layout with the power to the DCS system turned off. 

That's unnecessary. To run non-S engines conventionally, no changes at all are necessary. Just operate them using the transformer or the DCS Remote on the TRK screen with variable channels.

 

To operate DCS engines conventionally, turn off the DCS signal on all TIU channels as follows:

Menu/System/TDCS Setup and press the AOF soft key.

 

Then, proceed as above.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry:  I'm assuming on that same page with a different softkey all channels can be turned ON to DCS, correct?




iv class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:
       

John C, your post isn't clear as to whether you want to run DCS locos in conventional mode, or you're speaking of non-DCS locos.  Gregg was speaking to the latter, and he is correct.  Kerrigan was speaking to the former, as was Bsarry's 2nd paragraph, and they are correct.

 

 

 Hook up Var 1 and give it a  try.... 

 

 With the dcs" set up "command you can turn off the signal to any single  channel or all of them. I'm not sure why one would want to run a proto-2 in conventional though.... to each their own and  it can be done by turning off the dcs signal.  Turning the signal off is  really not needed for other conventional engines (proto-1). They just ignore the dcs signal.

John,

I'm assuming on that same page with a different softkey all channels can be turned ON to DCS, correct?

That would be the AON soft key.

Just to me clear.  You are not trying to run conventional and Command on the same loop right?

The big difference with VAR is you can vary track voltage.  Which is what you need for conventional operations.

 

So power VAR 1 with a transformer capable of running the conventional train you want to run and turn the transformer voltage up to full.

 

Run wire out of VAR1 output to a loop of track for the conventional train.

 

With the remote you can vary track voltage, send offset to trigger whistle/bell, etc...  Simple as that.   G

BARRY: 

I'd love to have your thoughts on this.  My DCS is now installed.  I used the recommended wiring methods and wiring per MTH.  My track is divided into blocks.  I'm using a Z4000 WHICH is power two channels, one side each, of the fixed outputs.  The total length of track on each side is about 120 feet with no block being longer than 20 feet.

That should be more than sufficent but there is an issue.

If I test any one block I get 10 for track signal.  As I turn the other blocks on my
Signal begins to drop in the same places as it was 10 before.

The single most "interesting" thing is on one section of track if I use my A transformer side of Z4000 I get a 10.  If I move my block switch to the B side of my Z4000 the signal drops to a 3 or 4! 







div class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:
       

       
       


My post above FROZE.

I'm wondering about the light bulb trick?  I may give that a shot.  I don't understand because it's justnot that difficult to wire.  I'm also wondering if my 3 amp capacity Atlas block switches may be causing this issue?  Crazy stuff!  :-)

John,

The single most "interesting" thing is on one section of track if I use my A transformer side of Z4000 I get a 10.  If I move my block switch to the B side of my Z4000 the signal drops to a 3 or 4!  

Is the issue with blocks changing from 10 to 3-4 as you add new blocks happening with both handles of the Z4000 or with only the B side?

 

If it's only the B side, the issue would seem to be with the Z4000.

 

If it's happening with both sides of the Z4000 on the same TIU channel, the problem may be with the TIU channel.

 

If the problem occurs only on one TIU channel regardless of which handle of the Z4000 is being used, the TIU channel is suspect.

Barry:  

 

I figured it out.  Well really I stumbled upon this writing today on this very board!:

 

June 15, 2013 2:13 AM Dave Hikel 

OGR Forum Member

 

Recommended guidelines for retrofitting DCS to modular layouts.

 

THE PROBLEM

Most club standards involve some variation of a power buss daisy chained from one module to the next with one or more feeder sets (one wire per rail) on each module.   The modules are also connected by the track itself.  The buss is often connected into a complete circular path around the entire layout.  All three of these features are problematic for DCS.  Each connector between modules causes some portion of the signal to reflect back on itself.  Go through too many connectors and there isn't enough signal for the engines to detect.  Multiple feeder wires on the same length of track create looped paths that the DCS signal can travel for infinity.  Looped signals can cause an engine to receive a command more than once or obliterate signal altogether.  Looped paths are also created between modules via the track connection.  Having the buss connected all the way around the layout creates the ultimate signal loop.

 

I had the "ultimate signal loop."  I just couldn't figure out why when I turned on a section or two at a time everything was perfect.  As soon as the main blocks were all on my "circle" of wire around my basement was on the DCS went crazy.

 

This afternoon, I went with my wire cutters underneath my layout and went to town on my bus wires.  Guess what?  No "loop"...everything 10!  I've heard and read lots of DCS advice but never ever had heard about "The modules are also connected by the track itself.  The buss is often connected into a complete circular path around the entire layout.  All three of these features are problematic for DCS!!!  

 

YES THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I know now as I'm basically ripping out every inch of wires that doesn't go from my MTH POWER DISTRIBUTION boards to my track.  I'm finally getting it!

 

Thank you for all your advice.  Can't wait to get your version 3.

 

back to original question (I think):

what are the steps to go from fixed voltage on variable 1 to get variable 1 to operate a conventional loco with varying voltage from the remote?

such as the steps listed above: menu/system/DCS setup/TIU1/variable1/?

 

yes, I will get around to purchasing the DCS Companion shortly

 

John,

Can't wait to get your version 3.

There's no need to wait. Just click on the title to get The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!

Here we go..   Power to fixed one or an aux power supply to turn the tiu "on" so it can function.

 

Also full power to Var 1 in... Var 1 out goes to the track.

 

Remote....... Menu/System/ DCS set up .  high lite var 1 and hit FXD. The FXD key is like a rocker switch and switches  the channel from fixed mode to var mode, Select var mode. (the remote will tell you which mode you've selected)

 

Now use the TR button, select var 1 and scroll up the voltage to whatever you need or scroll down. The remote is now varying the track voltage for conventional running.

Actually, Gregg, you needn't use the softkey to switch to variable.  When TR is pressed, just scrolling the thumbwheel will do that and upon next powerup it will revert to fixed.

Well  I think I disagree. I don't want the channel reverting to fixed mode on  power down . I just tried it and if you select "var mode" for the channel  and scroll the voltage to 0  before shutting down   the next time you power up the layout the track is dead until the voltage is scrolled up... If you leave the tiu in fxd mode  full power is going to the track until you use the TR selection..... Not all engines in conventional start in neutral and there's the chance of a run away. (lionel in conventional mode start in forward.)

 I can't see a way of getting around this  if  selecting FXD mode.

I am following your instructions as I'm reading them.  I have yet to get my remote to control the trackpower.  I'm aggravated.





iv class="quoteHeading">Originally Posted by Gregg:
       

Lets go back a bit.... Does the read , bottom left on the remote, find your tiu?  

 

What at you using to power var 1? Try var 2 instead of var 1.

 

  Reset the remote..(everything will be lost) and start over.

A new or reset remote has the var channels already set up  just follow my suggestions again. In another  thread  it seems you have a Z_4000 with the receiver for running conventional. ? I'm not sure what that's about.

https://ogrforum.com/t...00-remote-question-1

 

Good luck.

 

Yes.  Tiu found!  I was reading instructions on line and
Found some new stuff to try later....

Thank you.  I'll get it...sooner or later.  I hate it when this stuff is much smarter than me!  :-)

thank you John