Is there any way to make a DCS Explorer produce the "fast" bell and whistle button signals that are needed to activate TAS and other features on an MTH PCC street car? TIA
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No, the explorer is command only. It either runs DCS engines or can turn on and off full track voltage. There is no variable channel and/or conventional operation.
Going back and researching your previous posts- the PCC car in question is a PS2???https://ogrforum.com/topic/171907990213495416
Again, gotta be honest, welcome to the limitations of the DCS explorer- and really the DCS app when connected to an explorer.
There is NO REASON many basic functions are disabled in software other than to try to push you to buy a full blown TIU- now the WTIU.
Hence this pitch- for updated firmware and versions of the app, possibly a paid license upgrade.
Thanks for your reply's Vernon. That PS2 PCC car is my brothers. I have the PS3 version (MTH 30-5133-1). With the MTH Explorer, all of the engine soft keys, AND the Trolley/Subway controls (i.e. "auto/learn/manual" modes) are grayed out. Using my KW transformer and bell circuit, I can activate the "auto/learn/manual" modes (e.g. 1 bell, 2 horn). So, because the MTH Explorer apparently doesn't support "fast" bell and whistle function, I can actually use more features of my PS3 PCC car with my KW and bell circuit than I can with the MTH Explorer! And I run almost exclusively PW conventional engines with my KW on a small Christmas layout. My PS3 PCC car is my only modern engine, so investing in the full blown DCS system isn't worth it for my use. And, you can't buy new TIU's right now anyway! And used TIU's are really high (supply and demand..I get it). I'd be happy with the MTH Explorer if could activate "auto/learn/manual" modes. I intend to try a home made bell/whistle circuit between the output of the MTH Explorer and track. This may give me the "fast" bell and whistle function to activate "auto/learn/manual" modes at least. And I've read your post pitching for updated firmware and versions of the app. I'd be willing to pay for a bit more function, so I like your thinking. Oh, and BTW...I ran my PS3 PCC car using my brother's NCE DCC system. It worked very nicely allowing activating any of the PS3 PCC car's features that I tried.
Well I tried home made bell and whistle circuits similar what works with a Lionel KW transformer between the output of the MTH Explorer and track but could not these to operate the bell and whistle on my MTH PCC PS3 street car. So, I know of no way to have "fast" bell and whistle button functions with the MTH Explorer. I think I'll just stick with my Lionel KW unless someone knows of a way to create "fast" bell and whistle circuits that work with the MTH Explorer?
@rtb posted:Well I tried home made bell and whistle circuits similar what works with a Lionel KW transformer between the output of the MTH Explorer and track but could not these to operate the bell and whistle on my MTH PCC PS3 street car. So, I know of no way to have "fast" bell and whistle button functions with the MTH Explorer. I think I'll just stick with my Lionel KW unless someone knows of a way to create "fast" bell and whistle circuits that work with the MTH Explorer?
Did you put it between the explorer and tracks?
Yes, between the output of the MTH Explorer and the track. My guess is that the Explorer output voltage is too different (chopped AC?) than the old KW and the diode circuits don't work with the Explorer.