Direction issues

So one important thing is, when having a technical discussion about these electronic control systems you have to know and specify the train in question. In other words we have no details for what product numbers are involved. As such, we have no idea of what versions of electronics are involved.

Why that matters??? One of the ways without even looking or knowing what a DCS capable engine is is by how it runs specific to direction control.

PS2 engines. If you are moving at a speed in DCS, and then command a direction control, the first thing it does is set the speed control to 0 MPH, however the momentum of the train settings in engine settings stored in that train determines how long it takes to get down to actual zero dead stopped. Then the relay kicks in and it changes direction mode. If you make the mistake of changing the speed BEFORE it actually gets to 0MPH after a direction change, it will not change direction. Again, let me repeat this, if you have the train moving and hit direction, rather than slamming to a stop or changing direction instantly, it slows down to 0MPH as if you had double tapped the brake button or set speed to 0MPH. Then, only after completely stopped, the engine then changes the relay state and now is engaged and ready to go into the other direction. If you roll the speed dial before it has come to a complete stop and stopped for 1 second, then even though the lights are indicating reverse, the motor control will not change direction. This is normal and how the system was designed.

PS3 engines. PS3 operates slightly differently. If you are moving and hit direction, it will again slow down, go all the way to zero and then change direction even if you change the speed after the direction button was hit but before the train actually comes to a stop. Again, PS3 operates very differently in this regard.

If you mix the 2 engines (PS2 and PS3) into a consist (Lashup, MU), and then break the rule of never changing the speed dial after hitting direction button before the train comes to a complete 0MPH stop, then you can invoke the difference and the PS3 will change directions and the PS2 will continue to fight and try to go the previous direction.

Well, and the other huge tipoff of PS2 VS PS3 is PS2 has incandescent lights, PS3 is LED. But again, from a functional direction change standpoint, you actually can identify which is running on the track without seeing anything other than the motion of how it responds.

PS3 doesn't care if you hit direction and then change the commanded speed before it comes to a dead stop.

PS2 will not change direction (might change the lighting direction, but does not change the movement direction) until after it has come to a complete 0PMH stop and even then a slight pause. If the user changes the commanded speed after pressing the direction button before the engine comes to an absolute complete stop then the engine motor control ignores the direction change and the speed just applies to the previous direction even though the lights are now indicating the new direction. This is just how PS2 works.

PS2 direction change sequence video. Sorry in advance, this was hastily made and just plain terrible.

@a1hobo posted:

He was setting up a lash up with two ps2 engines using a handheld remote. On one of the the units, that other wise was fine, it decided not to change directions. He told me he did some testing on some other units and they were fine. He’s got a couple that just will not change directions whether in a lash up or independently. I had him do a factory conventional reset using the transformer buttons sequences, and nothing has changed. Getting well past my knowledge. Need some help here to try and help him out.

I'm not saying there could not be a problem with the engine, but the fact that multiple ones do it, and then there are engines in the fleet that operate fine (easily explained by a person having both PS3 and PS2 engines), my first guess is bad user operating habit (I know, we can never blame the user) of invoking the known limitation on a PS2 engine. Even I do it myself, if I run PS3 engines for a while and then use a PS2 engine, I can and do forget the rule. Come to a complete stop, then adjust the speed.

@a1hobo posted:

He was setting up a lash up with two ps2 engines using a handheld remote.  He’s got a couple that just will not change directions whether in a lash up or independently. I had him do a factory conventional reset using the transformer buttons sequences, and nothing has changed.

I should have also added this explanation.

In order to 100% reset all settings to factory original, it requires a 3 reset process. 2 different resets in DCS, and then last, the conventional reset.

First, add the engine to DCS or if already in DCS, then just access the engine while powered on the track.

Hit "Menu" on the remote

Then scroll down to "Advanced" and press the wheel to select

Scroll down to "Reset Engine" and press the wheel to select

There will then be 2 items, "Feature Reset" and then "Factory Reset"

Do Feature Reset first, let that complete, and then go back through and select Factory Reset which will then remove the engine from the remote.

This video only shows the execution of the Factory Reset, but you should perform the "Feature Reset" first and then the "Factory Reset".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5iNu3iHBA

Also, the DCS app version of doing a reset https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291Ahj1zkLc

Last step is then with DCS not connected to the track, perform a conventional transformer bell and whistle reset.

Again, sorry to those just learning, I went through this too and you may be asking, "Isn't there just one reset that does everything"?

I've been told no, the answer is that each of these resets does different things and the only way to be 100% sure is to perform all 3 in sequence and then the engine should now be at all factory original as delivered settings.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Do Feature Reset first, let that complete, and then go back through and select Factory Reset which will then remove the engine from the remote.

This video only shows the execution of the Factory Reset, but you should perform the "Feature Reset" first and then the "Factory Reset".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kS5iNu3iHBA

Also, the DCS app version of doing a reset https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291Ahj1zkLc

Last step is then with DCS not connected to the track, perform a conventional transformer bell and whistle reset.

I'm curious where the idea that the DCS Factory Reset doesn't reset all the stuff that the Feature Reset does comes from.  I've never had that experience, and if I'm planning on doing a total Factory Reset, I don't feel the need to proceed it with a Feature Reset.

I do agree that the conventional reset will perform some "resets" that the DCS reset doesn't do.

@a1hobo posted:

... He’s got a couple that just will not change directions whether in a lash up or independently. I had him do a factory conventional reset using the transformer buttons sequences, and nothing has changed.

...

After he reset the engines using a conventional transformer, did he confirm that the engines at least have the ability to reverse directions in conventional mode (i.e., pressing the Direction button on the transformer)?

Even if the engine does not physically move in reverse, there is useful to know if you can "hear" the direction relay in the engine click on every other Direction button press.  If the engine has directional lighting, that too is useful to confirm it is at least "trying" to reverse!