Issues with 2 MTH CSX AC6000's

You didn't say whether you have deleted and re-added Cab 670.  Worth a try.

How old is cab 5000 and its battery?

How did you charge it when the battery wire was off?

First, with properly charged batteries installed, I would try to see if they work in conventional.  If they do I would move to DCS.

For the 3V engine, I would delete it from the remote and try to readd it and see if that works.  Or do a factory reset, and than readd.  Not sure if you have other engines in the remote and there is an id conflict.   G

If you have multiple remotes, it is possible that each shows loco witha different ID.

Set up a simple test track with Tiu and trains one at a time.  Make sure Red output of TIU goes to center rail of track.  If you don't have a lot of data in your Remote, resetting TIU and Remote can't hurt.  Place one engine on track and try to add.  If that doesn't work go to recover engine and try that at least 2-3 times.  Sometimes an engine may get and address out of the limits.  G

I'm having the same problem.  I have three ps2 engines that I was able to add on a test track, then when I placed them on a mainline track I got "engine not on track". I should mention I'm redoing my layout , I use one TIU and one remote,  not used on my old layout.  I have other engines from the same vintage that were added and operate just fine. I will also mention, that I changed the variable ports to fixed. I'm using two z4000 and one remote. The remote is version 4.02. By the the engines are two subway and 1 doodlebug. 

Using the same TIU and remote?  If so that is weird and since you say other engines are working fine on the layout that means you have it wired properly and the TIU seems to be working.

I would do a signal strength test with a working engine to see if you have 8 to 10s.  Then I would test the signal strength of the non working engine when you get them loaded on your test track.  If the DCS signal is low, the engine may be the issue.  Able to load on a test track, but not able to operate on the layout where signal strength may not be high enough.  G

Thanks GGG.

   So far I'm making some progress.  I think it has something to do with changing the variable ports to fixed on my tiu.  Is it possible the ports revert to variable by themselves?  Somehow I think when you set up an engine in fixed 1, variable(fixed) 1&2 do not see the engine.  Is possible?

Variable ports set to fixed revert to variable when the voltage is adjusted by the thumbwheel, and stays that way until next time the TIU is powered up.

Need to make sure the channels have DCS signal turned on.  G

Hi G 

i'm not sure I understand "make sure the channels have dcs signal turned on" means.could you clarify?  Thanks

Using the remote, you can turn the DCS signal on and off. You may have the DCS signal turned off on the channels.  G

Menu/System/DCS Setup, select the TIU if there's more than one, and press soft key AON

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Thanks Barry and GGG,

  Apparently my DCS signal was on because everything is now working well.  I did encounter an oddity.  I have two small subway and one small passenger circuit that is independent from the the rest of the layout. When I connected all three to fixed(variable2) they had almost no power.  When I moved one of the subways to fixed 2, everything ran fine. Odd, but not an issue.  

  My big issue now is a Climax engine I have.  I have the feeling my remote and/or TIU thinks the engine is already in there. I previously deleted it because when I tried to activate it I got the message "engine not on track" no matter which track I tried.  So  when I tried to add it, I got the message "no engine to add". Short of deleting all engines (a lot), could I use a spare tiu and spare remote to try to get it to add, then reset it to factory reset?  

  Barry, I want you to know I followed your book implicitly when I redid my layout and all engines have a track signal of 10 no matter where on the layout they are. I wasn't sure the lengths of blocks were necessary, but I'm glad I did based on the results.

Thanks in advance for your input and again thank you both for your help.

By the way JooeV and Valen are the same person.  I'll have to straighten that out with OGR

Does the climax work in conventional?  Did you try a recover engine?  G

JoeV,

I have two small subway and one small passenger circuit that is independent from the the rest of the layout. When I connected all three to fixed(variable2) they had almost no power

I'm not surprised. MTH subways sets (I have 11 of them) are power hungry. I typically run the voltage at 20 volts (at the Z4000) when I run even one set.

First of all, what does one do with 11 sets of subways?    Now as far as the Climax.  It does not come up in conventional  mode. ( No tiu just transformer to track.) . Nor was I able to recover it (according to Barry's book pg 168 I think).

As Woody Allen said in Annie Hall " I think what we have here is a dead shark"

Joe,

First of all, what does one do with 11 sets of subways?

Run them, of course!  

I have 2 dedicated subway lines on the lower level of the layout with 6 of the subways, each on its own siding. They all are programmed for their respective routes.

The other 5 subways are also on sidings, some on the mid level and some on the upper level. Again, each is programmed for a route.

If it is the PS-2 5V model it may be a board failure, but the other issue can be the tender plug.  Make sure the harness is fully installed.  I have had to repair/rewire a few of those harnesses, especially if run on small radius curves.  Certainly worth repairing.  G

Thank you both for all your assistance.  Barry, I don't know whether to envy you or pity you with so many engines for just the subway.  

GGG,  I have no clue whether it's 5v or 3v.  I notice your profile and response says you repair these types problems.  If you'd like to take a crack at it, please email me at kjvalen19@gmail.com with information how I either call or contact you.

Again thank you both.

JoeV, if the charging port is square, it's a 3-volt board.  If it's round or there is none, it's 5-volt.

I don't know whether to envy you or pity you with so many engines for just the subway.  

No big deal. It's only 11 out of 95.  

Turns out the tether on the Climax was loose after all.  I feel so stupid.  It looked like it was in, but when I gave it a little push it went in a little further.  Now it's working fine.  

I can't thank you all enough for all the help you have been.  It's great to get help on forum like this.

Barry let me ask you this, would I be better served if I hooked up a second tiu and transformer just for the two subways.  I realize that's kind of a loaded depends question, so let me give you a little more information.  

I'm using two z4000's, I can run up to 8 or 9 trains ( 3 passenger with lights) I have each channel going to one handle of the z4000's.  The fixed one having 1 passenger   train and 1 subway draws about 4-6 amps,  My fear is if I add another passenger (each with 5 cars) it would be too much.  Or, is the 2nd tiu overkill?

Thanksagain.

Joe,

If you aren't using all 4 channels, then why do you need a second TIU?

Regardless, I'd give the subways their own channel, however, much more important is giving them their own power source.

Thanks Barry,

 I'll set it up the way you suggested.

Joe

Glad that was an easy fix!.  G