Lost Conventional:

It is probably not getting enough voltage on the conventional setup.

What type of transformer does your friend have?

MTH has a list of "recommended transformers" in the back of the manual.

Lionels CW 80 is one transformer that has had issues operating MTH engines.

@B Smith posted:

It is probably not getting enough voltage on the conventional setup.

No it's probably getting too much voltage.  If the output voltage is from a conventional transformer and it doesn't start at or near zero when you move the throttle up from its closed position then a modern locomotive will be stuck in neutral.

The voltage must drop to near zero when you turn the throttle to the off position.

Try using another approach to get underway instead of the throttle.  If the loco won't move when you advance the throttle just push the direction button.  It interrupts the voltage to the track temporarily sending it to zero, which should cycle the loco into forward, or reverse.

Mike

I reason I suggested "not enough voltage" is that I had a DCS-equipped engine from Sunset, which would not operate on my conventional 0-12 volt analog system. Scott told me that I would need at least 18 volts to run it.  I never experimented with that approach -- just remotored it for 0-12 volt DC operation.

Put it back on your DCS layout and change the setting in the remote to CONVENTIONAL, then try it on his layout.

@B Smith posted:

I reason I suggested "not enough voltage" is that I had a DCS-equipped engine from Sunset, which would not operate on my conventional 0-12 volt analog system. Scott told me that I would need at least 18 volts to run it.  I never experimented with that approach -- just remotored it for 0-12 volt DC operation.

Sunset never made a DCS engine   You are confusing DCS with TMCC

@MCD4x4 posted:

Hello All,

I have an engine that I took over to a friends layout today. He does not run DCS. I picked up this engine a while back used. I never noticed a problem because I run DCS. I could not get it to move on his layout in conventional. Back home on the DCS it’s fine. Any ideas. I attached a picture of the board incase it helps.

Brian NY

You have friends??  LOL

Since you have the PS32 board, the suggestion to use the direction button makes sense, it can't really be the battery as there is none.  In case there's still a problem with the direction button, try this.  As  test, physically disconnect one of the transformer leads momentary to see if that will get things moving.  Sometimes even the direction buttons don't truly return the voltage to zero.  Also, a slightly longer direction push might be called for.

Could it be locked in neutral? I had one last year that worked perfectly in DCS but was locked in forward when operating in conventional mode. Performed a conventional reset and solved that problem.

Having experienced something similar in the past, what worked for me was to do a factory reset on my DCS layout with my remote or iPhone before leaving home and  attempting to run the engine on a conventional layout.

The downside is you’ll have to reload the engine into your own system when you come home and place it back on your DCS layout. And note this reload into your DCS system must wait till AFTER you’ve run on the conventional layout.

Frankly, given the moderate PITA this process is, I generally take a Williams engine if I’m invited to run on a conventional layout.

Curt

If you turn power off does it play shut down sounds?  If so, start it up so it is in neutral.  Do a conventional reset.  1W and 5B in sequence.  Should get 2 toots of whistle to confirm reset.  Give it a try.  G

@bluelinec4 posted:

You have friends??  LOL