DCS Voltage Increase Increments

Pat,

From page 35 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

By setting the minimum starting voltage for a TIU Track or Z4K Track, track voltage can be raised to that voltage by one click of the thumbwheel when scrolling up power. This will ensure that all DCS engines that are on the track being powered up will see the watchdog signal. The minimum starting voltage for a Z4K Track is set as follows: • Press the TR key on the DCS Remote to enter the Track Control Screen and see a list of your TIU Tracks and Z4K Tracks.

• Select a track by scrolling the thumbwheel to the Z4K Track or TIU Track you wish to modify and pressing the thumbwheel to select it.

• Select the track voltage settings by pressing soft key S4 (MTV) to select the track voltage settings.

• Scroll to Start Volts and press the thumbwheel to select it.

• Scroll the thumbwheel to increase the minimum starting voltage for the track in 1/2 volt increments.

• Set the voltage to at least 10 volts, or to whatever higher voltage you usually use to run your trains.

• Press the thumbwheel to lock in the voltage.

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

Thanks Barry:

BTW: I still have the 2nd addition of your book.

Barry:

i followed your instructions to set the MTV.  However, it looks like the minimum is 5.0 volts.  I want something lowers, as at 5 volts, the engine races off.

i am running DCS version 4.20.

thanks

pat

Can you find a MSV  soft-key?. .... Apparently this issue was addressed with 4.3

A new TR screen soft key, “MSV”, allows setting a starting and ending voltage for "ALL TIU Tracks" just like individual TIU tracks. By default, "ALL TIU Tracks" start at 1 volt. Additionally, individual TIU tracks also start at 1. volt instead of the 5 volts as previously.

Barry:

in V4.20 I have a MTV soft key, but the minimum voltage I can set is 5.0.

i could not find MSV soft key.

So.... it looks like I have to update the DCS software, which looks complicated (based on the instructions in your book).   I don't even know if my old laptop even has a serial port.   I have to check which TIU version I have.

thanks

pat

What about  reducing the  power supply  voltage on the input side of the tiu with the transformer handle ?  Of course with a "brick"  you can't do that.   I'm not so sure even if you up- date the software it'll work. I used to test these things at one time but not anymore.

Greg:

thanks for the suggestions (I missed your first post - thought it was Barry responding - sorry).

I am using a brick, so I am unable to turn down the input.

I dug out my old PC (I have migrated to Mac) and I am in the process of downloading the DCS loader and DCS software update.   So far not going well.  

Thanks again.

DCS 4.3 and later allows TIU Tracks to start at 1 volt.

Updating to DCS 6.0 isn't difficult- just follow the instructions in the book.

Gregg put his finger on the issue.  When the TIU cuts 18+/- volts down to 5, it alters the wave form so much that the loco acts as if it's getting higher voltage. 

All the needed cables arrived today (Amazon) and I was able to upload the new software to the TIU and remote.

with the updated software I was able to set the minimum track voltage at 1.0 and the engine runs much better now.

thanks everyone.