MTH dcs control question

Fixed 1 and 2 are just that, fixed at the input voltage. Variable 1 and 2 can be set to fixed or used as variable through the remote. You can turn off the DCS signal with the remote and run all four channels with separate transformer throttles. When I had a mix of conventional and command engines, I used a DPDT switch to switch between the TIU and transformer inputs to the track.

The two fixed outputs on the TIU only pass the voltage input through them. I.E. 18V in, 18V out. The only way to vary voltage on the fixed channels is to vary the input voltage. The Variable channels can either be set to fixed or can vary the voltage through the channel using the remote. Instructions below.

dcs user manual 2014.qxp (mthtrains.com)

Actually, a couple of misconceptions.

I'd add good circuit protection between the ZW and the TIU inputs.

You can set the variable channels to fixed mode for the TIU, the fixed channels will always output the same voltage as it coming in, there is no internal way to vary them.

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

I can use my reconditioned postwar zw-r's and connect to the tiu. Then run those to the track. There's 2 variable and 2 fixed outputs. My understanding is if I want to change the fixed outputs to variable I can do that through the remote and vs versus. That way if I want to run all 4 ovals  conventional with the remote I can?

Also I can purchase the MTH 50-1032 cable to connect Lionel command base with limited legacy use. No issue since I don't have legacy yet.

The Variable outputs of the TIU can be set to FIXED output but the FIXED outputs on the TIU cannot be set to Variable.

You could hook the AU & DU posts of the ZW up to the FIXED INPUTS of the TIU and then have Vairable control of these tracks voltage through the ZW. Then Hook the BU & CU post up to the VARIABLE INPUTS of the TIU and control those tracks with the DCS Remote. Make sure to set the BU & CU handles to max voltage but the TIU will control the voltage output to the track.

I'd also strongly recommend putting some 10 amp fast blow fuses between each power hook of the ZW and TIU. This will protect the TIU electronics from being cooked when a short occurs as the ZW has a pretty slow breaker.

The 50-1032 cable is all you need to connect your TMCC BASE to the TIU. Then you will be able to run Lionel Command engines with the DCS remote.
Make sure the BASE track hookup wire is on the output side of the TIU and not the input.

@H1000 posted:

You could hook the AU & DU posts of the ZW up to the FIXED INPUTS of the TIU and then have Vairable control of these tracks voltage through the ZW. Then Hook the BU & CU post up to the VARIABLE INPUTS of the TIU and control those tracks with the DCS Remote. Make sure to set the BU & CU handles to max voltage but the TIU will control the voltage output to the track.

Will that allow me to control conventional through the remote control on the fixed outputs?

Thank you all so much for the info. I've been back for 3 years and decided it was best to start with the postwar\prewar stuff and slowly work my way up. I'm almost comfortable getting into some kind of command dsc control.

@Donnie Kennedy posted:

Will that allow me to control conventional through the remote control on the fixed outputs?

Thank you all so much for the info. I've been back for 3 years and decided it was best to start with the postwar\prewar stuff and slowly work my way up. I'm almost comfortable getting into some kind of command dsc control.

No, the conventional control will only work using the two outside handles of the ZW. Each TIU only has two Variable output channels to run conventional trains. If you want full remote control of 4 tracks using a DCS remote you'd need at least 2 TIUs and 1 DCS remote. The DCS Remote can interface with up to 5 TIUs to control a total of 10 conventional tracks.

Got it. Again, thank you so much for the information. This truly helps me in my future layout plans.

@H1000 posted:

No, the conventional control will only work using the two outside handles of the ZW. Each TIU only has two Variable output channels to run conventional trains. If you want full remote control of 4 tracks using a DCS remote you'd need at least 2 TIUs and 1 DCS remote. The DCS Remote can interface with up to 5 TIUs to control a total of 10 conventional tracks.

Well, you can pick up the MTH Z4000 transformer and the MTH Z4002 Receiver and use Z4K tracks in the DCS remote to control those fixed channels.   I'd do that before I'd get into super-TIU mode with multiple TIU's!