Friend is frustrated with DCS

How many loops of track? How many blocks per loop? How is the layout wired? What revision TIU is he using?

There's a very good chance the issue is how the wiring and track are set up. That's what causes the bulk of the problems with DCS.

Are you sure you don't have signal strength issues with the TIU?  Before chasing track Gremlins, you might make sure your equipment is solid.

Take a three foot piece of track and connect the TIU to it.  Make sure you can reliably add and startup each locomotive on this track section.  Also, check the signal strength reading and make sure with this setup you're seeing all 10's.

@Lou1985 posted:

How many loops of track? How many blocks per loop? How is the layout wired? What revision TIU is he using?

He has a couple of interconnected loops (no blocks) powered by the Z1000. (He also has a separate loop powered by a Lionel BW.) Each loop has multiple power connections from a bus wire. I'm not sure which revision TIU he's using.

There's a very good chance the issue is how the wiring and track are set up. That's what causes the bulk of the problems with DCS.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Are you sure you don't have signal strength issues with the TIU?  Before chasing track Gremlins, you might make sure your equipment is solid.

The signal strength where we placed the engines was 9. Why would one engine be recognized there and not another?

Take a three foot piece of track and connect the TIU to it.  Make sure you can reliably add and startup each locomotive on this track section.  Also, check the signal strength reading and make sure with this setup you're seeing all 10's.

Sounds like a good idea. I'll pass it along to my friend.

@Keith L posted:

Bingo. Add electrically isolated blocks and a bunch of the issues will disappear. The DCS signal is bouncing all around. Have each loop on its own TIU channel as well.

@Lou1985 posted:

Bingo. Add electrically isolated blocks and a bunch of the issues will disappear. The DCS signal is bouncing all around. Have each loop on its own TIU channel as well.

I instinctively did exactly what Lou1985 recommends, and I never had the problems the original poster's friend has had with DCS.

Any chance the batteries need to be replaced in the engines? Worth replacing with bcr to rule it out? Just a thought

always start with the basics.

Do the engines run correctly? If they won't with DCS, try straight from the transformer.

If there's an engine problem, most will blame the system.

Is the software current and the same in every DCS piece?

Does the DCS system work at all?

Is the remote talking to the TIU and getting results?

Remember the system is two way and it expects to get replies from each engine.

Does the system work with a test track?

If any MTH engine runs with DCS, do a signal test.

Separate power so that the rails are independent of any accessories or other devices drawing power.

Any layout needs at least one spot where the power is broken. Like a simple oval. Try disconnecting one section (track joint) and test.

Add stuff to a layout one piece at a time, and test, test, test!

Anything drawing track power with a cap and no choke, can pull down signal. Even a lit passenger car or lit caboose for example.

So when a problem pops up, think of what got added or changed last.

Basic troubleshooting comes easy for some. It gets tuff for someone else who doesn't know what to do.

You have to narrow down the problem and not overlook the basics. Connections, conditions, etc.

As Gunrunner said, start with one piece of track and one drop. More than one drop in any electrical section will send competing messages to your locos. If that one section is fine, your problem is track connectors, what is on the track, or number of drops. Keep that one loco that is working alone as you add one section at a time. I'll bet it is either a connector issue or drop issue. Where did I learn this? Marty Fitzhenry and Barry Broskowitz.

Be aware your engines can also have signal issue problems on the ps 2 ps 3 and ps 3/2 boards I have even had problems with brand new ps 3/2 boards with signal's all over the place bouncing 2 3 2 3 2 3 etc, I had to repair the boards in question !

Alan

Gentlemen,

The time and thought you gave to suggesting solutions to my friend's DCS problem paid off big time.

I emailed my friend a summary of your analyses and recommendations. First, he disconnected his DCS system from his layout and tried his locomotives and DCS system with just a test track. Everything worked as expected. Then, he began thinking about how his layout was wired. As it turned out, he had a separate loop where the power/DCS signal went through a double-pole double-throw switch. He tried removing that switch from the circuit and--like "magic"--all his engines and his entire layout worked 100%.

The last time I saw Fred, he was just about ready get rid of his DCS system and his MTH locos. Now he's enjoying them. Thank you!!!

DCS can require troubleshooting at times.  The work put in is well worth the effort though.  Bravo to those above that helped work out the issues for your friend.