Help needed - dcs won't work on superstreets

Only things I can think of are to make sure to use isolation blocks on your streets to keep the DCS signal from running over itself and check the wiring to make sure nothing got crossed or mixed up somewhere in the change?

Are you using the CW80 for the Superstreets?  Some folks experience problems with PS2.0 and the CW80.  If you so, you might trying hooking up a Powerhouse to the Superstreet loop and see if that helps.

the spuerstreet are hooked to the tiu and 180watt bricks. Lights turn on the streetcar but error, engine not on track reads when trying to startup with the dcs remote. having a block so the signal doesn't overlap itself sounds like a possible fix. I'll try this tomorrow evening and reply if that work. Thanks rtr12

Before I blocked my layout, things would still run, but I got errors quite frequently even with a Rev L TIU. Had difficulty getting things going at times. The blocks cleared things up completely for me, haven't got an error since (that is no errors when I turn the power on to the sidings anyway ). I know it sounds dumb, but also check the wires. Not getting yours to work at all is a little more severe than what I had with mine.

What shape is your streets track plan?

I am thinking along the line s of rtr12's reply. If you have a dogbone with a wye, perhaps some electrical tape to isolate one of the return legs would keep the signal from running back on itself.

also, same would apply as an oval. cut it in half with tape at one point.

may just try a bulb at the track connection, but it sounds like a signal issue on the track.

Are the wheels different on the cars? Perhaps the new car doesn't ride as well on the outside rails?

small layout=big pain

Is red output of TIU going to Center rail of super street?  G

Nick:

I don’t think I can help you but I really enjoyed the video of your layout. 

FWIW I run Railking Pittsburgh PCC’s on a combination Superstreets/Gargraves/Super O trolley layout but in conventional using an MTH Z-1000 transformer and they work fine.  I have seven programmed stops on my #1711 37 Shannon route.  The streetcar layout is electrically independent from my train layout which has TMCC (although I do control my new Bachmann E-Z Streets switches on the trolley layout with a CAB-1 tied into a separate TMCC base through an SC-1).

Just last weekend a friend loaned me a DCS Remote Commander with handheld to try running my PCC’s and I had very limited success with that, especially BEFORE reading the directions!  I started out trying it with the #1711 mentioned above which is a 5-volt PS-2 PCC and it would move but nothing else worked.  I then downloaded the DCS Remote Commander instructions from the MTH Website which say that the 5-volt PS-2 MTH powered units won’t work with the Remote Commander, only the 3-volt systems.  But I doubt if that is your problem with the full-blown DCS system. 

I then put my 3-volt Terrible Trolley on the track and it worked but not everywhere on the trolley layout.  It would go so far and then I would lose control with the handheld and it would run away.  I have lots of insulated blocks and insulated outside rails which DCS probably doesn’t like.  But I’m satisfied running in conventional so I’ll continue to do that.  Have you tried running your new PS-2 in conventional with your CW-80?

Bill

Streetcar crisis solved!  I disconnected the wires and reconnected them, and also pulled up a section of track and added a little electrical tape between the connections to "cut the signal in the loop". Worked!!   Having fun running trains now and the new streetcar in dcs. It's totally cool!   Thanks for all the help guys! Much appreciated. And as a small thank you heres the view of "da burgh"!

Good you got it all going. I don't have any streets yet, but I am wanting to add some one of these days. I've read Lee Willis' 1st book on them, his second one is next. Streets sounds like a fun addition to make to a layout.

Nice layout

Could you share where you got the backdrop murals?

Dale H

Street work in your city must have been prototypical. That finished look had to suffer somewhere.

Thanks for posting the result and fix.

Sounds like it was worth it having all of the features working now.

Glad to hear you have it functioning now. Beautiful work.

Nick,

   Great looked layout of The Burgh, especially with the Street Car working correctly!

PCRR/Dave