MTH DCS Commander loses locomotive

Ok Chuck I will bite.  Yes, and don't remove the engine while powering down and track power is applied.  Sooner or later a spike may take out the audio amp on the board.   G

Although my layout is relatively small (4 x 20)I picked up the MTH Remote Commander so I can program MTH locos.  Thanks for the response G!

Do you mean the DCS Commander?  While you can add engines and assign ID with the DCS commander, I can't remember if you can do factory resets to get back to ID 0.  I will have to look at the manual.  So that may not be what you want.  The DCS System will make all the difference in the world to operating your current and pending MTH engines.  G

Are you talking about the DCS Remote Commander?

 

GGG,

 

Supposedly, you can factory reset engines with the DCS Commander.  We have one, and have reset HO engines, but have never tried it with O scale.

 

GRJ,

 

What you have pictured, I believe is what the OP started with.  He now is running his layout with this one...

 

 

The DCS Commander can perform a factory reset.

 

 

Can you tell me how? I can't do it.  

 

I did did just buy the full DCS system with TIU and handheld.   I needed more capability one being the ability to factory reset.  

 

Thanks.  

I see Barry is on the spot with the answer.  That information is also in the DCS Commander User's manual.

 

 

Barry I know you're an expert and I do have your book. When I push "Reset" the only thing that ever comes up is "System". That's it. No matter what I try or how carefully I try it I have never seen "Feature" or "Factory".

 

I have read your book very closely but I'm still unable to make it work.

 

I finally bought a full DCS System as I have more locos on the way.

 

Any suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

Chuck

Chuck,

PS-2 2rail engines only pick up the DCS signal on the power side. If you frog isn't powered that's most likely what is happening. The new PS-3's can pick up the signal on either side now. With the PS-2's you have to flip the DCS-polarity switch to be able to pick up the signal on the other side.

Even though you got the full system you will need to power your frogs. It won't hurt but it will help.

Ralph

      

How long did you hold the reset key?

Thanks Ralph and I do agree. I have the Cobalt switch machines in hand and am ready to power the Atlas frogs.

 

Good advice!

 

Chuck

 

All sorts of combo's from 1-60 seconds. It does show "System" and I can reset that but that's it.

 

 

Do you have the latest firmware?  The current version is 1.40.

 

How to tell?

 

Thanks!

 

 

Excellent question, I don't see it in the manual.

I'm not trying to be difficult.

 

I ran Digitrax for 10 years but am now into MTH O's... lots to learn!

Don't take it the wrong way, I meant what I said.  That is an excellent question, one that I don't have the answer to.   I would have thought there'd be a way to display the version like there is on the full DCS system.  I also didn't see a method of loading the firmware, another mystery.

 

John,

I also didn't see a method of loading the firmware, another mystery.

One loads new software for the DCS Commander through the Loader Program, exactly as one does for the TIU. Just click the last icon on the top right.

 

 

 

Barry I thought maybe you had missed this post. I could use your words of wisdom. I see no way to get "Factory" to flash in my DCS Commander.  I have tried everything.

 

Thanks!

 

Chuck

Chuck,

 

It's been a while since I've done anything with a DCS Commander, however, I wrung it out pretty good when I wrote the chapter for the 2nd edition. I can attest that my DCS Commander was able to reset an engine. I'm not understanding how your's cannot.

 

If I have some time tomorrow, I'll see if I can fire up my DCS Commander and get it to flash the icon.

 

I appreciate that Barry and again I respect your expertise. I imagine you'll be teaching me a lot as time goes on. I did buy your book the minute I got into DCS based on the many great recommendations I heard about it.

 

Don't worry about messing with your Commander... I've got the full DCS on the way and am ready to delve into that. Looking forward to getting a good grasp on it.

 

Thanks again.

 

Chuck

I use my DCS Commander to Factory Reset my PS3 engines routinely.  I do this so I can use them on a separate loop run by the DCS Remote Commander.

 

Do you have only the one engine loaded in the DCS Commander?  I think I ran across a similar problem when first starting out with the DCS Commander.  This is from the MTH Manual:

 

"RESET This button works
only if there is at least one DCS
engine added to the DCS
Commander. Pressing and holding
this button for 3 seconds will flash
the FEATURE icon. Subsequent
presses of the RESET button will
flash FACTORY and SYSTEM. The
th 4 press of the RESET button will
return you to a normal operating
screen on the LCD.

 

If I recall correctly, I couldn't get the 'Factory' option (or 'Feature' for that matter) to come up when I first placed an engine on the track.  Just like you I only got 'System' and a subsequent press of Reset exited the routine.

 

I had to add that engine or have an additional engine added first, then I could access all three options on the one I was trying to reset.

 

Also have you tried adding it back first after it's been "lost" then using the Reset function.  Perhaps deleting it, then adding it, then trying Reset.  Just spit balling.

Good luck!

Robert

I am only able to get System to flash on mine also. I will admit I know very little about the DCS Commander.

I missed Roberts post before trying the reset feature. I have to read the manual and get up to speed on the Commander. I use my DCS TIU almost exclusively when doing test and repairs.

I suspected that, but I didn't see anything in the manual for the DCS Commander about upgrading, or indeed any use for the serial port, they just mention that is has one. 

 

Is there a method of checking the current version of firmware in the DCS Commander?

John,

I didn't see anything in the manual for the DCS Commander about upgrading, or indeed any use for the serial port, they just mention that is has one. 

It's covered in detail in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition.

Is there a method of checking the current version of firmware in the DCS Commander?

If there is, I'm not aware of  it.

 

Before I ditch my DCS Commander did you see a way to access "Feature" on it Barry?

 

Thanks again for being here. Your expertise is valued.

You need to have a locomotive loaded into the DCS Commander, then those extra selections will show up.