Wow..ok. Thanks guys.
Shouldn't I still be able to run it through DCS in conventional mode?
You should but PS1 engines are a little finicky when it comes to track voltages. First thing is you power supply AC or DC?
It's 120v AC
That is the input voltage There should be a little plate on it that tells you the output voltage or if you know the model number I can look it up for you
Output says: 14v AC 80w or 18v AC 100w
He is using the z-1000 to power the DCS commander the output on the commander is max 16.5v dc power 5 amps
Ok that is fine and you should be able to run it in conventional I never used the remote commander but if there is a conventional button on it you will be adjusting the voltage by turning the throttle The trick with PS1 is not to bring the voltage above 10 volts When you hear a ding and the sounds start up you can then toggle the direction and it will run. PS1 engines also have a battery in them and will not run unless the battery is charged If you cant get it to move leave it on the track with power on for awhile and it should charge the battery to a usable level
Basically, the dcs commander is for HO, i.e., lower amps. If you really want to get into O command control, you would be better off to get the full dcs command control system (the one with the remote), and/or the Lionel Legacy command system, which are the two command control systems for three rail O.
Or go with conventional transformer control, which isn't a bad way to start out, especially considering at least one of your engines is conventional.
Guys, thanks for all your help. As you can see I'm very new to all of this, and I will figure it out as I go along. Thanks again for the advise and help.
Steve
No problem This is a good place to learn about it. Let us know how you make out
Question: will PS1 engines operate on DC voltage?
Ok gents, si I bought the Z4000 today figiuring long term its a good investment. Hooked it up, and all my PS1 engines run. HOWEVER, when I press the bell sound it keeps sounding and doesnt stop. I also dont get the crew chatter on one of the engines that have this feature. Am I doing something wrong here? The other part of the question is how to I hook up the DCS commander to the Z4000? Is there a connector I can buy? I will be needing to use this for I will be purchasing a PS2 and or PS3 very soon.
Thanks again for your time...
Steve
Normally for 'Bell' sounds, you hit the button once and it will keep sounding until you hit the button again to turn it off.
Earl
Is there any reason you are tied to the DCS commander? With a regular DCS TIU you can use an output for PS@ and PS3 and it also has an output that you can vary the voltage using the DCS remote
Blueline, I just bought the commander and don't want to buy the remote If I don't Have to. Don't I need it to run the PS2 and PS3 engines? Isn't that how I get all the sounds to work? Please let me know if I'm missing something here. Thanks!
Ok You can use the commander Was just curious
Blue, is there something I need to use to connect the commander to the Z4000 when I do get pronto2 and pronto3 engines?
thanks
Steve
You cannot hook the z-4000 into the dcs commander. That controller is meant for conventional running of engines or to be hooked up to the full Dcs system with tiu and remote. It has to much power for the commander. The Dcs commander run on either a z-500, z-750 or a z-1000.
Wow, ok...so I guess I need to suck it up and by the full system. Anyone want to buy a commander? Cheap? Thanks Howard you as well have been very helpful.
So I need the remote and the TIU unit...connect that to my Z4000 and then I'm good?
Yes, the one with the remote and tiu. You took a big leap in buying the z-4000. Make sure you also buy Barry's book on how to hook up the Full DCS system. It will run all your engines. In the pic below I don't have the full system, I use the commander to run my HO ps3 engines and my o gauge ps2 with 3-volt boards and ps3 engines. To run older engines in conventional I use the z-controller.
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That is not true You can use the Z4000 Just want to verify that you have the DCS Remote Commander number 50-1028. If so this was actually meant to run MTH's HO DCS trains. It can also run O gauge trains if they are capable of running with DC voltage. The input of the remote commander can come from any MTH Ac transformer or any transformer that supplies 0-22 Volts AC or any DC power supply that supplies 0-24 Volts DC. Since there is a 5 amp breaker on the remote commander chances are a large O gauge engine and say six passenger cars is too much for it. After looking up the specs on this the Conv button on it isn't to run conventional O gauge trains but rather conventional HO trains. Many conventional O gauge trains are not capable of running with DC power.
To connect the transformers or power supply to the RC just use wire that slides into the green connectors and tightens from the top. The Z4000 has thumbscrews that can be loosened and the wire pushed through the posts and then tighten the thumbscrews. We also use banana plugs that are available at Radio Shack for a quickconnect on the Z4000.
Really in my opinion the Remote Commander is OK for modern O gauge trains if you are running one train and not with alot of passenger cars. Once you start thinking about multiple engines and trains the Remote Commander is just not that useful. Its great for HO trains that dont have the massive power draw that O gauge trains do. If you are going to keep adding more PS2 and PS3 engines I really think you should get the whole DCS system with the remote
Originally Posted by Barry Broskowitz:
Question: will PS1 engines operate on DC voltage?
Barry, I have not had very good results with running ps1 engines on dc voltage. The engine just move about 1/2 inch then stop and sit. I don't want to cause damage to my old Chicago subway 30-2175-0 so I just use my z-controller.
I'm gonna take another leap and buy the whole system. ....at this point what the **** is another 250-300 bucks! I will then have the Z4000 with the TIU and remote. I will than have no excuses.....I guess.
Blue... I do have that, but at this point I'm gonna get the whole system. Just makes more sense for what I want to do in the long run. Thanks again for your help guys. Much appreciated.
Steve
No Problem Steve
Let us know how your doing
