MTH DCS Remote Commander & Factory Reset capabilities

It will run any PS2 or PS3 engine that is in Factory Reset Condition.

If the engine has ever been used on a DCS System or DCS (DC) Commander system it must be Factory Reset as follows:

Power Up, start up.

Select Factory reset of the engine.

Press the Thumbwheel. This will remove the engine from the DCS system and reset the Factory ID in the engine.

Power off the track and remove the engine.

Note, a PS2 must have a charged battery for this step to work correctly.

DO NOT use the DCS system for anything prior to powering the engine down to lock in the ID.

Move the engine to the DCS Remote Commander track, run it.

Thanks Russel.   Problem is I don't have the full DCS system and cannot use the procedure you described.

There is a factory reset sequence in the booklet with the remote commander train set, perhaps that will work on any PS3.0 loco?   Can anyone confirm?  [I have had to use that a few times to reset the SD70.]  

So by implication any new loco never run on DCS/still in factory mode will work with the remote commander.   That is great news!

Thanks!

The conventional reset done via horn/bell presses is NOT a factory reset and won't get an engine to run via the DCSRC. I know the RTR train set engines with PS3 that are shipping/now in stores (2014 sets) can be factory reset via the DCSRC but I don't know if any others can. I believe MTH is now making this possible on all newer PS3 engines but it would be best to call them to confirm. 

SJC, the manual says this does a factory reset.   It does not use the horn and bell but a sequence with the DCS Remote commander.   So perhaps this will work.

There was talk that the new PS/3 stuff would be able to be reset with the DCS Remote Commander, don't know where that effort is.

How about the exact model number, I'd like to actually read what the manual says?

The Factory Reset is being performed by the PS3 engine itself.  So apparently the latest PS3 engines coming with the RTR sets have this capability.  Specifically, the engine looks for the magic sequence of commands from the DCSRC remote and interprets this to be a Factory Reset; it can be any DCSRC remote and not just a new one.

This method of Factory Reset will not work with older PS3 engines unless they are re-programmed with new engine software - if that's even an option at this point.

I know it was discussed, but I don't know if the software is available to upgrade existing PS/3 locomotives.  I didn't realize they already had the reset code out, haven't followed it that closely.

Gunnernner:  I will post the manual's reset sequence and page number this evening.

I contacted MTH with this question.  No reply yet.  -Ken

Instructions for DCS Remote Commander faculty reset.

Page 10 of my manual:

Turn off power if on

wait 15 seconds

turn on power:  the engine should be dark and quiet

Press no other buttons

Press SND

Press DIR

Press "-"  (on the gray rocker in the center of the remote.  Also is the speed down button.)

The engine will give a two honk response and will be sitting on the track running

The engine has now been factory reset, and is ready to run with your DCS Remote Comander system.

That's great, I didn't realize they had already done it with the new stuff.

Details on the set:

SD70ACe Diesel R-T-R Deluxe Freight Train Set w/Proto-Sound 3.0 - BNSF Cab No. 9328

Stock Number: 30-4232-1

Here is my email to MTH, and the reply.   Based on Kirstins reply, it would appears that any PS2 or PS3 loco can be Factory Reset and run by the DCS Remote Commander.   But the way he/she answer leaves room for doubt, I will try a follow-up.

"I purchase a SD70 starter set with PS3. Will the DCS remote commander run
other PS3 locos besides a train set loco? (one loco at a time of course)
I see that the manual explains how to do a "factory reset". Will that be
helpful?"

Thank you for contacting MTH Electric Trains. We appreciate your interest in our products.  Yes, ProtoSound 3 and ProtoSound 2.0 engines can be operated with the DCS Remote Commander.  The engine does need to be set to address 1 to work with the DCS Remote Commander so the factory reset may be needed.  Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything else I can help you with.

Thank you,

Kirstin Martinez

MTH Electric Trains

Ken,  Yes the new chain files allow this capability.  It is available to be loaded to older PS-3s.  MTH had a service note put out.   G

Thanks GGG, that is great info!

Interesting observation:

LionChief Plus started me with command control (I love my LC+ locos).

Lack of good modern LC+ locos drew my to try MTH with the Remote Commander.

Now the Remote Commander will run more new PS3 locos - more choices for me.

More MTH purchases ahead,

Which makes me think I will look forward to purchasing the full DCS system rather than Legacy.

Not exactly what Lionel intended.   I don't mean anything negative toward either manufacture, I just found this to  be an interesting outcome, and unintended chain of decision.   The Remote Commander with newer PS3 flexibilty looks to be like a competitive advantage.

Yep.  What is nice is the MTH are fully command capable.  I think that is why they took that approach.  Once you transition to Full DCS all the MTH PS trains will work with it.  G

Ken, as long as the PS/2 or PS/3 locomotives are factory reset, any of them will run with the DCS-RC.  The only issue is getting them reset if they are not in factory reset condition, that requires a full DCS setup.

I will make the offer:

Anyone passing by the southern New Hampshire area can contact me and I will Factory Reset your engines on my DCS system.

Hey, It works for me too, I get to meet new train friends.

My email address is in the detail bar on the right.

Not true for PS-3.  MTH redid the code to allow a Factory reset of the address via the DCS Remote CDR itself.  Which is what I posted above.  G

George, that's only with the new code loaded, and if you have an existing locomotive before the recent code release and the DCS-RC, it needs a factory reset with the full DCS.  That would only apply to very recent purchases if the chain file hasn't been recently updated.

How you get to the factory reset will vary depending on the software in the PS/3 locomotive.  For PS/2, you always have to have them factory reset with a full DCS system.

My statement is accurate as posted. 

No it is not.  I explained that there is new code and it can be back loaded to older PS-3.  Your statement came after (repetitive), but you don't make a difference between PS-2 and PS-3.  Your statement makes it sound like you need full DCS for all PS-2 and PS-3.  I was just setting the record straight.  G

Until the new code is loaded into the older PS/3 locomotives, you DO need the full DCS to do the job.  What's inaccurate about that?

If it's a brand new PS/3 with the new code, I'll yield that point.  However, there are a lot more older PS/3 locomotives that will require the full DCS for the reset, at least until you use the full DCS to do the upgrade.

Nothing is inaccurate about your last post, but that was not the one I commented on. 

I was just trying to keep it simple so folks understand it.

I was answering the question was about newer PS-3 having the ability to be reset via the DCS remote commander.  And the ability to have it back loaded to older PS-3. 

From the service Update:

Starter Sets

2014 starter sets have software that responds to
the DCS Remote Commander (SND, DIR, -) reset command.  So if the starter
set engine does not start up when the Start Up button is pressed, try the reset
command.   You can find the reset command instructions for the
SD70ACe set engines on page 10 of the On-Line manual.  If a customer
reports the engine does not work, make sure the caboose lights are on and ask
the customer to send the Reset command (SND, DIR, -) using the DCS Remote
Commander to reset the engine.  Should you get an older starter set in to
reset, please load the latest chain file and instruct the customer on how to do
the reset command with the DCS Remote Commander so the customer can reset the
engine in the future.

G

G, are you saying "new" PS3 code also allows Factory Reset using the conventional transformer button method of Bells Whistle?   That is, in addition to the SND DIR "-" method using the DCSRC remote itself?  This is confusing me.

Are you also offering to reload an older PS3 engine with the new chain file referred to in G's Service Update?

"The Remote Commander with newer PS3 flexibilty looks to be like a competitive advantage."

There is a major difference between the Lion Chief and Remote Commander approaches.  Remote Commander is just that, a remote that can control one locomotive at a time.  You cannot operate multiple PS2 or PS3 locos independently on a layout with a Remote Commander.  You need the $300 DCS system to do that.

Lion Chief and Lion Chief Plus locos have their own dedicated remote, so they can be operated independently on a layout without the need for the Legacy system.  Different approach that has some advantages in terms of cost and flexibility.  The Lion Chief and  Lion Chief Plus locos will work as command locos with their individual remote no matter which command system one might eventually choose, DCS or Legacy.  Whereas the Legacy or PS3 locos only work with that particular command system.

Exactly right Landsteinger.   I love my LC+ locos, and while waiting for Lionel to release additional LC+ locos that I am interested it, I can purchase and run new MTH PS3 locos (run one at a time)and run them the using my remote commander on the same tracks with my LC+ locos.  This new Factory Reset capability allows this for those of us without the full DCS system that could otherwise do a Factory Reset.

I am considering the 2014 MTH release of the RailKing Challenger, if I can confirm it has the latest release.

Eventually I will have multiple DCS locos and will purchase the full DCS system to run more than one at a time.   But for now, this is a nice option.

With PS/3, it is a one-time thing to have the new chain file loaded so you can reset with the DCS-RC, so it's a pretty good solution anyway.

Until you say, heck I have too many remotes I am getting the Legacy system  Or as Ken is saying, he will get full DCS.  At that point all his MTH engines will be fully usable from the DCS Remote.  Unfortunately the LC+ will not be backward compatible with the Legacy remote.  We just went through a big forum complaint/discussion about that a few weeks ago.

Also you could run more than one MTH engine on the remote cdr, but not independently.  They both would respond together.  G

Good catch Stan, I meant the DSC Remote CDR.  I corrected it above.  The conventional Bell whistle reset is still a feature reset despite the manual calling it a factory reset.  G

So far four LC + remotes are not a problem.   I set some trains to running, and control no more than two at a time with a remote in each hand.   Easy, I do not need to look down to switch between locos.   So for me, multiple LC+ handhelds is not a problem, and I don't see it becoming a problem.   But you never know, perhaps with a larger layout ....

I am more likely to upgrade to Legacy because of special loco that I want, than anything to do with multiple LC+ handhelds.