MTH-DCS

Jim,

   The very 1st thing you need to do is purchase the OGR DCS Video Guide and

Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion, 2nd Addition.  Both the educational disc and the book have all the educational info you need to build your DCS/TMCC layout.

You definitely can run DCS and TMCC together, the Z4K is a great transformer for doing it, purchase the side receiver for it also, it expands your conventional running cababilities with your hand held remote control.  You will need what is called an AIU for running your switches with your DCS remote control.

After you watch the video and read the DCS Companion come back here and

the guys & gals will help you with anything you are having trouble with.

One other tip, Use Barry's book track side as you construct your DCS/TMCC layout.

PCRR/Dave

Good advice, you should need nothing more than an AIU to throw up to ten individual switches or combination of more using the ten switch ports on the AIU. You will also have ten accessory ports as well.

The choice you need to make is how to power track switches either an additional power source for the switches or track power. You can do either. I have never had a switch fail to react using track power for a layout about the same size. The grey area is if you use Variable voltage from the DCS to control a conventional train really slow, you might not have enough juice to flip the switch. As I said though if you stay in command, you should have plenty of juice to flip each switch using track power. (easiest fastest way as well)

That's also assuming that you want remote control switches. You just said "control" I'm assuming you mean remote control.

Good luck to you!

Have fun and enjoy DCS!

Optimal approach for switches is to have both AIU and hard-wired control.  When events come fast & furious, using the remote & AIU isn't fast enough to keep up.

Jim,

   RJR is absolutely correct the best way to run your layout is with both remote switch

controls and the hand held remote control thru the AIU.   The Remote control has no immediate one step switch control and it is sometimes to slow to keep up with the pace of your trains on the layout, I am hoping that MTH takes my recommendation and up grades their next remote control with one step switch control buttons, this would make switch control immediate, thru out your DCS controlled layout.

PCRR/Dave

You don't need to use a separate transformer, uness you are already suing the accessory outlets on the Z4000 for some other purposes.

I don't know what switches you are using, but generally one of the terminals on the switch, usually but not always the center,* can be used to supply hot power to the switch, and the outside terminals to provide ground power for one or the other of the coils.  Connect the switch controllers or the AIU center terminal, or both, to Z4000 U terminal and run 2 wires from the controller to the outside terminals of the switch motors.

Lionel postwar/prewar 022 switches get hot through a fixed voltage plug and leave the center terminal uncommented.  Some switches, including some old Lionel 0-27 switches, used one of the side terminals for hot, as I recall.

Yes, I failed to mention that the switches could be double wired for use with remote and switch throws but that has nothing to do with using track power or additional transformer power whether it's the same transformer or not. I still think there's more than enough power to use track power to activate the switches based on the size of the posters layout.

The only drawback to double wired switches, which, I like the idea, is that murphy's law would dictate the walkaround remote would turn off (you can set the time up to an hour) when you spot trouble coming!  Or you panic and push the wrong button. (speaking from experience!) That's why it makes sense. But you got the remote to be able to run the layout from anywhere around the layout, so the only way it helps is if you're at where the throws are when trouble is coming! If not, it's just sort of a good idea! That's why I leave the remote set  to remain on for 1 hour and I use rechargeable batteries.

The remote turning off hasn't been a problem for me.  It's when locos are heading for switched set wrong, and I'm trying to scroll through the switch list on the remote, that I run for the panel----or hit the red button!

Robert,

 It's when locos are heading for switched set wrong, and I'm trying to scroll through the switch list on the remote, that I run for the panel----or hit the red button!

You could also just enter the two-digit switch number instead of scrolling to it.

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

"You could also just enter the two-digit switch number instead of scrolling to it."

Barry, you're showing your youth, even though correct.  I can't remember all the 25 switch assignments in my remote (I only have half the switches hooked up to my AIUs).

Robert,

That's why I have labels that have the switch number on them, on each switch motor and console pushbutton.  

My console has track diagrams, so I can tell what toggle controls what switch.  But I can't see all switches from any location on layout.  So labeling them would be no help

Gentlemen,

   Until MTH adds one step switch control to their hand held remotes, numbering your remote switch controls for instant access, is the best way to go, for quick immediate switch activation.  In reality right now the hand held remote is actually to slow when multiple trains are running at a good clip.

PCRR/Dave

Note the numbered switch controls on the end of the control desk, all have be up graded with LED light bulbs.

Actually, I don't.

That's a morale-boosting photo.  Obviously, Dave, you prefer operating and tinkering to building scenery and doing nicely-bundled-&-labeled wires.  Makes me feel REAL good!

RJR,

   You got me, let me run and tinker, although I am a disciplined engineer my layout is still child like, it has to be fun, I let the reality layouts to guys like Patrick H.  I still have a kids Tin Plate Train World and always will.

PCRR/Dave 

Dave, I hope my revised post (don't know how I managed to double the pix) makes you realize that I feel like you.

RJR,

   You know both of us probably should clean up the wiring a might,

of course it would get in the way of running our layouts, so I kind of doubt it

is going to happen any time soon.  Labeling wires, good grief man that would take away half the fun of tracing wires for repairs.

PCRR/Dave

Amen, Bro.

Having a good wiring method does make troubleshooting and additions easy.

I have built several prewired "modules" which keep the wiring very organized. All wires and terminal blocks are color coded and individually labelled. See the photo for my "AIU" module.  This module is used with a "relay" module and a Dispatcher Board. I use the DCS to control both turnouts and "blocks". The "relay" module provides the connection between the AIUs and the turnouts and "blocks".

The Dispatcher Board provides status of all turnouts and blocks using individual LEDs mounted on a 1/16th scale diagram of my layout.   I also plan to build a supplemental pushbutton panel which will allow manual control of turnouts and blocks. The use of the "relay" module simplifies the wiring. 

Pro Hobby,

Would you please email me, I have a question for you.

Thanks

Gene

wheeler359@gmail.com