I have an MTH Proto2 Doodlebug and a Proto2 Rail King M-1a Mountain Steam Locomotive that power themselves up when I apply track voltage using the DCS Remote control. The engines power themselves on at about 14.5v. I don't have to press the Start Up button(3) on the DCS Remote Control. I have to select each engine and press the Shut Down button (#6) on the DCS Remote Control to turn the engine off. I have other Proto2 engines sitting on my layout that don't power themselves up. Any idea why or any solution? My start sequence is turn on Z4000. Turn on DCS Remote Control. Increase output voltage on Z4000 to 20V via lever. Select TIU1 on DCS Remote Control, and scroll to 18V.
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Sounds like you have TIU Channel in variable output mode. Is there a reason you are using it this way? In Fixed mode as soon as you apply power on the z4000 it goes through the TIU straight to the track. Scrolling up the power in variable mode may be confusing the engines. If you power up in fixed output does the same thing happen or does that cure the problem?
Thanks for your quick response. Yes I'm using TIU variable output mode because I also run some conventional engines (Lionel from the 1950's, Williams, and MTH Loco Sound). What confused me is not all engines start up. I switched to the 14v constant power output terminal of the TIU as you suggested and problem disappeared. I run mostly Proto2 and TMCC engines so if there's not a fix in variable output mode I guess I can easily switch between variable output and fixed 14v output when I want to run conventional engines.
Be sure to power up the left hand side first, because that provides power to the TIU
You do realize that you can set the variable channels in fixed mode, when you select them with the TR key and vary the voltage, they'll drop into variable mode automatically. The next time that channel input power is cycled, they'll be back in fixed mode.
Thanks for all you guys' help. It's probably been 20+ years since I operated the DCS system. I'm basically learning all over again. Didn't realize (or remember) I can set the variable channels then vary the voltage to get back to variable.