Folks,
i have an MTH caboose with an operating Santa. Hold the bell button and he does his thing. Can that be triggered in DCS?
thanks
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I would think that the yellow Bell button on the remote would do the same thing - ring the engine bell and make Santa do his thing
Thanks Moonman! It’s actually a function of read the fine manual. It’s spelled out word for word. I just need to reassign a variable track and follow the instructions.
Worst comes to worst, you could always chuck the remote at Santa, I suppose, which could result in some sort of reaction. Most likely a tiny fist waving irately in your direction, but oh, well. 
But if you re-assign the DCS channel to be a conventional-mode variable track and then use the remote's Bell button to activate the Signalman caboose, then how do you independently activate the Bell on the DCS command-control engine pulling said caboose?
How about using an AIU channel to insert a DC offset on the track? Since the locomotive is running in command mode, it won't see the DC offset, but the caboose electronics will react like it would in conventional mode. You can trigger the AIU channel from the remote, so it's all in your hand.
A 10A relay and a few diodes are all you need to generate the DC offset. The AUI doesn't have 10A relays or you could just use diodes.
If someone who has a Signalman caboose has some free time during the holidays, consider posting as many photos as you can of the electronics under the shell. I've seen enough of these requests over the years to convince myself that we (OGR DIY'er nut jobs 
) need a solution to the remote DCS activation of the signalman, operating reefers, and similar.
Like GRJ's suggestion, I think an AIU would be involved. As I see it, one approach is a low-cost ($1-$2) wireless remote transmitter module that is activated by an AIU accessory output. You would have to open the shell of the caboose or reefer to install a wireless receiver module ($2-3). So out-of-pocket would be in the $5-$10 range but would require some wiring. There seems to be a growing cadre of OGR readers capable of designing custom PCB printed-wire boards that are just a few dollars. If I can see what's needed, I think I can come up with marching orders (aka schematic diagram) for one of the newly minted circuit board designers to show off their new skill!
The analogy in the Lionel command control world would be purchasing an ERR module or equivalent. But from what I can tell, this is $30 (or more?) out-of-pocket and still requires opening up the operating car and re-wiring.
DCS doesn't have any cheap command receivers, that's one area they need to consider. I'm still pitching the diode solution. If you're worried about it dropping the track voltage, keep two strings of diodes in line all the time and just short out all but one of the diodes in one string, instant DC offset to trigger the bell.
What I'm "worried" about is tying the DC offset to a particular TIU output channel. For guys who only use 1 of the 4 TIU channels for a single-loop layout, then no problem. But what about layouts that use 2 (or more) TIU channels?
I'm also thinking of layouts, perhaps less common, that have more than 1 signalman or operating cars currently triggered by the bell track voltage. In some cases it would be desirable to activate one and only one operating car. An AIU could use 2, 3, 4, etc. output channels to uniquely activate a specific operating car. Obviously the ERR Lionel solution has inherent addressability with this feature. But in lieu of MTH or aftermarket supplier coming up with an operating accessory module for DCS, I think a wireless transmitter/receiver combo (under AIU control) is the only practical solution assuming one does not want to be cluttered with multiple handheld remotes.
stan2004 posted:But if you re-assign the DCS channel to be a conventional-mode variable track and then use the remote's Bell button to activate the Signalman caboose, then how do you independently activate the Bell on the DCS command-control engine pulling said caboose?
Isn't the selection of whether the DCS signal is active on any given channel independent of whether the variable channels are set up as variable of fixed voltage? (Maybe it's been way too long since I looked at the details in this area (didn't just check myself with a TIU/remote), but I though all 4 channels had a selection for the DCS signal to be active or not?)
While you can't do things to the caboose and the engine simultaneously (which I don't think you will with an AIU solution either since you have to hit the ACCessory button), wouldn't you just be able to toggle between commanding the ENGine and commanding the TRack in order to trigger the bell?
-Dave
Remote and receivers on eBay from one to sixteen channels. Some have all the receiver channels on one board some have individual receivers for each channel. You would have to have a regulated DC powersupply or battery with the receiver in the caboose. Another $1 or so on ebay. j
Another option would be a magnetic reed switch under the truck and a electro magnet under the track. Kind of like an uncoupler track but off center so as to not interfere with the couplers. Or if you wanted to actuate each time permanent magnets could be used. j
Dave45681 posted:...While you can't do things to the caboose and the engine simultaneously (which I don't think you will with an AIU solution either since you have to hit the ACCessory button), wouldn't you just be able to toggle between commanding the ENGine and commanding the TRack in order to trigger the bell?
Right!
And that is the exact issue at hand. MTH does not offer DCS controllable operating accessories such as the signalman caboose, coal dump cars, reefers, milk cars, etc. Instead there are work-arounds such as triggering the car with a conventional control Bell or one of the various suggested schemes involving a wireless link under AIU control.
Switching back and forth between DCS command-mode and DCS conventional-mode (to access the Bell feature to trigger the Signalman) has the distinct advantage of working as-is without additional hardware, wiring, etc. But it requires the operating accessory to reside on the TIU output channel that has variable/conventional capability...albeit not an issue for a smaller layout that only uses 1 of the 4 TIU channels.
Using some AIU variant as proposed has the benefit of individual control (address-ability) of a particular operating accessory and operating over an expansive layout that may have multiple TIUs with a dozen or more TIU outputs. Agreed though - adding hardware whether to insert a conventional-mode DC offset via diodes...or some kind of wireless transmitter/receiver combo...is not in everyone's comfort zone.
If it's acceptable to only operate the accessory over a small section of track such as a UCS, then the electro-magnet (in the track) plus reed-switch (in the car) is an inexpensive option. Earlier OGR threads have also shown using a simple bulb in the trackbed to illuminate a light-sensitive switch (in the car). In either case, an AIU output can turn on the electro-magnet or the lightbulb so that the accessory is activated under DCS remote control as the OP originally proposed. In this case a benefit is elimination of the 4th/5th rail sliding-shoes which can mechanically interfere with certain track systems.
I started something here. The manual for thee choose says it shoul or. But if the manual only refers to conventional.... Anyway, after Christmas I’ll try to figure it out (along with the Wi-Fi, I can’t make work!
