Hooking up Z4000 - DCS - TMCC

You actually don't need any toggles. This is very brief but it would go something like this......Z-4000 supplies power to the tiu fixed 1. Fixed 1 out to the track.  Since fixed 1 is basically a straight though connection  with the dcs signal imposed on it you can  use the handle of the z-4000 for conventional , Set the handle to full voltage and now you can use the dcs remote for proto-2 /3 command operation .

TMCC ... Set the Z-4000 for full track voltage and hook the U connection on the command base to an out side rail. Run TMCC with the cab-1...   I guess when we  get   into different loops there are other options. Come on over the DCS forum. Those guys will get   you fixed  up.

I too have wondered about this...so it sounds like both can be wired to a Z4000 and both systems will work together...i.e. I can run my Lionel TMCC at the same time I run my Proto2&3s on DCS. Correct?

I do that all the time Jeff, same time, same track, no issue at all.

GREAT! Thanks John for that information. Now I know I can set my sights on buying the MTH DCS system in the near future. I assume the most current model is working well with no bugs in the system?

Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

GREAT! Thanks John for that information. Now I know I can set my sights on buying the MTH DCS system in the near future. I assume the most current model is working well with no bugs in the system?

Jeff, the most current TIU is Ver.5.0.0 while the most current DCS system would be using MTH's DCS wifi module (WIU) connected to the TIU and then using MTH's Premium DCS wifi app (scheduled for release in March) to run your trains using either an Apple or android phone or tablet. Btw, that wifi module doesn't require internet service since although it can work with any existing household internet service, it will also provide its own solo wifi signal.

Furthermore, to simplify things even more you could eliminate your Cab1, Cab1L or Legacy controllers and just the DCS handhold to control all your TMCC, Legacy, DCS, and even conventional engines. To do that you connect your TMCC or Legacy base into the serial port of your TIU using the appropriate connecting cable sold by MTH.

The ultimate control, eliminating all handhold controllers including MTH's DCS one, would be connecting a  MTH wifi WIU module directly into the usb port of the TIU and thereby operating all your engines with a smart phone or tablet using MTH's Premium DCS wifi app.

You can use your Z-4000 to power an y of the methods I've mentioned simply by connecting it to the TIU in the way already suggested by the previous posters.

OK thanks for all that information. Time will tell I guess. But I am way behind the times in that I have no tablet or phone

You're not alone. There's no way  I would ever want to run my trains with a cell phone or tablet,   (ever)   Just my 2 cents.

Two cents well taken.

I am with you guys, I have an ipad with the DCS app, but I still prefer the DCS remote for everyday use. Same with Legacy and it's remote, only I don't have the Legacy wifi unit, just the MTH WIU.

Jeff B. Haertlein posted:

GREAT! Thanks John for that information. Now I know I can set my sights on buying the MTH DCS system in the near future. I assume the most current model is working well with no bugs in the system?

Well.... I wouldn't go right to "no bugs in the system", but it works fine.

Jimmy2013 posted:

I have a Z4000 and I would like to be able to run conventional from the Z4000 , DCS from DCS controller and TMCC from its controller. Need to know how this all should be wired. I thought of using toggle switches not sure if this would work.

Thank you in advance

We run DCS and TMCC together all the time with no problems.  To run conventional we just shut off the power to the TMCC and DCS systems and use the Z-4000 throttle handles to control the engines in conventional.  BUT we have not found a way to do all 3 at the same time, just TMCC and DCS together, or Conventional only.

Do you have a connection from the Z-4000 right to the rails as well a via the TUI and Command base ?

Jimmy2013 posted:

Do you have a connection from the Z-4000 right to the rails as well a via the TUI and Command base ?

No, just the connections to the TIU and the TMCC Command base ... don't need a direct connect to run conventional; just turn off the TIU and the TMCC base and you are in conventional using the Z-4000 throttle handles to control it.

Kerrigan posted:

Jimmy2013 posted:

I have a Z4000 and I would like to be able to run conventional from the Z4000 , DCS from DCS controller and TMCC from its controller. Need to know how this all should be wired. I thought of using toggle switches not sure if this would work.

Thank you in advance

We run DCS and TMCC together all the time with no problems.  To run conventional we just shut off the power to the TMCC and DCS systems and use the Z-4000 throttle handles to control the engines in conventional.  BUT we have not found a way to do all 3 at the same time, just TMCC and DCS together, or Conventional only.

According to MTH documentation, DCS and conventional can run off of the TIU VAR1 output however the speed of the DCS engine is limited by the max conventional A/C voltage sent to the track.