Low speed control for conventional loco's while using DCS

Are there any easy answers

This is on the list for MTH to change the Variable Channel behavior in a future DCS release.

thank you so much for your quick response. I sure hope that the future release is soon!!!  Your book is a great help for some one "old" in trains but "new" to digital. Thanks again,  John

The voltage isn't actually lower.  What happens is that when the TIU variable output is set low and the input from transformer is on the high side, as here, the TIU changes the wave form of the AC power drastically, and this causes locos to act as if they were getting higher voltage.

 

When I first got DCS, I had no PS2 locos, but enjoyed the walkaround capability.  When I got PS2, it was so superior that I upgraded most of my old stuff to PS2..

 

I don't know what you mean by fixed voltage operations.  If you mean powering the TIU, use a wall wart into the AUX jack.  If you mean operating switches or other items, get them off track voltage.

While you wait for the TIU upgrade, some guys install diodes between the variable output and the conventional track to drop a few volts.  For, say, $5 in diodes that first step could be changed to 0-1V (or whatever) rather than 0-5V.  Of course the same voltage drop applies to the upper end but if you're supply 19-20V into the TIU you'll still have plenty of voltage for faster speeds.

Wouldn't that cause constant whistle blowing  or bell? Or do you have to use  2 diodes? one on each leg to cancel out the plus and minus dc ? I've done it with motor leads but not track feeds.

John N,

   If you own a Z4K purchase the side receiver and run your Conventional engines thru it, via your hand held remote control, works well for me.  Check out the correct set up in Barry's DCS O gauge companion.

PCRR/Dave 

Gregg;
To use the Diodes, You actually put them in parallel side by side in the same wire with the polarity in the opposite direction. Use several pairs in series to drop more volts.

___/--|==--\___
     \--==|--/
If you can read the Ascii art you are good to go.
Oh, Be sure to get diodes that can take the wattage.