Is it me or the remote?

GHD,

   I have a mismatched hand held remote to my L TIU that I use, and yes there is a difference in control and it also does some funny things.   Barry advised me get all my TIU's and hand held remotes updated to the latest changes after I had a run away train on the 2nd level of my Christmas layout this year.  There can be some problems arise from using mismatched DCS equipment for sure.  This particular problem cost me $90.00 in repairs this year.

PCRR/Dave 

You can see the 2 different DCS hand held remote controls in the picture below, one is a 4.10 version the other is a 3.10 version.  The run away occurred with the 3.10 hand held remote control.

GHD, it well might be the remote.  I have 4 and find there are some differences in behavior.

Open it up and reseat the transceiver board and put in fresh batteries and see what goes. 

Thanks for the responses. I was looking at the thread here about all the revisions to the TIU's and I was wondering if a similar thing occurred with the remotes. I notice a quicker reply back to the remote that a command was executed. At least I think so. Perhaps one of the hardware/software experts will respond to the revision question. I do believe my TIU's are 4.30 and my remotes are 4.10. I was surprised that I didn't have to upgrade the remotes when I got the new TIU's. I was all set to upgrade them until I saw some of the issues with the latest 4.30 upgrade. I decided to wait for 4.31. My trains and system work just fine and I'm a believer in "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Go back and load 4.2 if you don't need 4.3 features.  But both TIU and Remote need same version.  G

I do believe my TIU's are 4.30 and my remotes are 4.10. I was surprised that I didn't have to upgrade the remotes when I got the new TIU's.

You're mistaken.

You absolutely should keep all DCS TIUs and remotes at the same level of DCS software. If you do not, you risk having unpredictable results when you use a command whose software has been changed between releases.

Further, you can inadvertently corrupt data in the TIU, the remote or both.

You raise a good new question, Barry.  How can one tell if data has been corrupted and if it is, what's the cure?

Erratic behavior and trains flying off the layout like Dave experienced.  Or you just don't do it and reload the correct software.  G

Robert,

How can one tell if data has been corrupted and if it is, what's the cure?

Like George said...  

Typically, you might find weird anomalies that would cause those of us on the forum who are seeking to provide assistance, to wind up chasing our collective tails.

I note you used the term "data."  As I understand it data is one thing, and the program is another.  The program uses the stored data.  Updating the program does not affect the data.  With DCS, wouldn't a factory reset be needed to clear out all old corrupted and uncorrupted data to make way for us to replace all data?

Unless the program first step is clearing the data, which any well written program does.

Loading soundfiles does that, the only thing it keeps is the serial data and engine run time, unless your loading a serial file.  Then it just keeps the run time data. 

For the record, I checked my TIU's and both are 4.20 version. The system seems fine and I'm resisting upgrades. Maybe I'll be convinced to change. Thanks for all the dialog. I gather that there haven't been any revisions to the remotes.

The scrolling issues  using super mode is much better with 4.3. Worth the upgrade IMHO.

GGG.  When data corruption was mentioned, I was thinking of the remote and TIU software, rather than loco software. 

I just read about the lash up problems with 4.30 and I'll stay with 4.20, for a while. Maybe 4.31 will interest me after I see the results on this forum. This really is a great forum! Thanks to all that make it what it is!

I am talking about them too.  I am sure the first thing a reload does is clear the memory.  G

Isn't there some data on locos that is stored in the remote, that should not be affected or "uncorrupted" is the remote is reprogrammed?  I forget what is stored in the TIU.

I have guys at the DCS users meeting bring just the TIU stating the remote is OK.  Not the right thing to do.  Guys if Barry states to do them both, please believe him.

Marty F,

   Roger that!

PCRR/Dave

Dave, are you going to York?

RJR,

   I have not been to York for 40 years, York falls right in the middle of my major Grouse dog training schedules.  As I wind down my Gun Dog/Fly Fishing Instruction businesses more, I will have more free time to attend some of the York meets.  I really want to meet you guys, I have been waiting for years to be able to do so.

PCRR/Dave

That should make the grouse happy.

That should make the grouse happy.

LOL!

RJR,

   After 50 years of Grouse hunting and even more than that, of running my O Gauge Trains, I find both still give me great pleasure.  The stress relief from the freedom to due both, is about equal.  My memories & happiness are equally spread thru out both these family traditions, that were started long before I was born.  I hope I have been able to pass both down to future generations, to help insure the continuation of both a great hunting tradition and fantastic hobby, not only to my family but to many many others.

PCRR/Dave