MTH lashups combining PS 3 and PS 2

I hedge my bets. I start up each engine individually, then build the lash-up, then start the lash-up and everything seems to work fine. Here's the GE2010 Hybrid (Proto-3) consisted with itself -- GE2005 (Proto-2).

Once the lash up is made up and used there is no problems but sometimes after a couple startup cycles over time the DCS forgets how to startup the lash up. The turn on sequence seems super important. I make sure there is power on the tracks before I turn on the remote. Then I search for engines, select the the stored lash up, startup the lash and run it. This seems to work rather than any random startup sequence.

But I'll admit that on occasion in the past the DCS has lost engines or turned on an engine at some speed setting. Most of that stopped as I regimented myself to follow a strict sequence of turning on the layout and engines. The turn off has to be followed logically or the DCS gets confused. An emergency turn off of the DCS or a track power loss due to a circuit breaker trip can cause DCS problems too. 

LDBennett

LD Bennett,

   It sounds like you are using an older TIU, what Rev are you running, the new Rev L with 4.10 and above should not have the problems you are experiencing, sounds like a very old  TIU.

PCRR/Dave

If you're operating in Super TIU mode and have multiple TIUs, you need to ensure that you're using either DCS 4.30 or, preferably, DCS 5.0. Earlier releases had issue with finding engines under Super TIU mode.

Also, some details would be helpful:

• Which engines are in the lashup
• Wether or not you have trouble with these engines outside of use in a lashup
• Exactly what you do and in exactly what order you do them when you attempt to operate the lashup.

Also, make sure ann involved steamers have their tethers securely attached.

The TIU is only about two years old and there has only been one update that I am aware of since it was new. I believe it is the L revision. I chose not to update it after hearing a few stories about doing the update.

Both engines are Proto-3 diesels. One is Railing Scale and the other is Premier. Both are only about two years old. They work fine until I don't follow what would be a normal startup of DCS, and the engines. If there is a emergency lose of power I occasionally have problems. Recently when I follow a normal sequence, both starting and stopping operations, I have not lost the lash up configurations.

I also find that doing the "wrong" thing and out of normal sequence can lead to DCS problems with lost engines in the remote. Again, if I follow what would be a normal sequence then there is no problems. I am not complaining here, but only pointing out the importance of following the correct sequences for staring and stopping the layout.

LDBennett

TIU hardware version G, I, L is different than software version, 4.20, 4.30 and now 5.0.  If you read the TIU you can determine software version, and also remote.  both should be same.  G

I am not running in Super TIU mode and only have one TIU and one AIU. This is a small layout at 9 x 7 with seven switches in a folded dog bone configuration. I run up to three engines at a time. To get to three, two are in a lash up. The track is connected in Passive Mode. Emergency power off is handled by a household lamp remote controller as the emergency off on the DCS remote is non-operative in Passive Mode. Only the track is on one 100 watt Power brick wihile the switches and the accessories are directly connected to another 100 watt Power brick. Everything works as intended, usually. 

LDBennett

It is version 4.2, according to the startup screen of the remote. i only have the one TIU.

LDBennett

You have to go to the remote's TIU setup section to read the version on the TIU.

I would take bad upgrade stories with a grain of salt.  It's an easy process if one reads the on screen instructions, and follows them in order.

LDBennett,

I chose not to update it after hearing a few stories about doing the update

That's another urban myth, propagated whenever someone doesn't follow the upgrade instructions correctly. DCS 5.0 its the best, most bug-free release of DCS to date.

They work fine until I don't follow what would be a normal startup of DCS, and the engines.

Exactly what do you consider to be "normal startup of DCS"?

If there is a emergency lose of power I occasionally have problems. Recently when I follow a normal sequence, both starting and stopping operations, I have not lost the lash up configurations.

Please differ exactly what constitutes "an emergency loss of power" and exactly what happens when there is one.

I also find that doing the "wrong" thing and out of normal sequence can lead to DCS problems with lost engines in the remote. Again, if I follow what would be a normal sequence then there is no problems

Please define exactly what is meant by "the wrong thing".

"The Wrong Thing"

Turning power off to the TIU with trains running

Circuit breaker trips while train is running and Remote ends up at some former speed without correction when starting up again (doing startup at some selected speed on the remote)

Not searching for engines before trying to run trains 

Failure to do a shutdown before removing track power or turning remote off.

It is all common sense but sometimes in the heat of a derailment the correct startup procedure is failed to be used.

I have not investigated updating the TIU but often it takes a PC rather than my Apple OS X computer to do it. Can the update be done from an Apple computer? It is hard for me to justify an update when the system does everything I want it to do and only fails when I don't do what I am supposed to do. "If it ain't broke then don't fix it" might apply here. If you have a smart phone then you know that virtually every day one of the APP's on the phone is updated. I hate that as sometimes it removes functionality I like and want. I surely do not want to "brick" my TIU!

LDBennett

Turning power off to the TIU with trains running

Circuit breaker trips while train is running and Remote ends up at some former speed without correction when starting up again (doing startup at some selected speed on the remote)

This is completely normal. Just press Startup and press DIR twice to set speed back to zero.

Not searching for engines before trying to run trains 

Failure to do a shutdown before removing track power or turning remote off

What happens when you do either of these? What abnormal behavior do you experience?

I have not investigated updating the TIU but often it takes a PC rather than my Apple OS X computer to do it. Can the update be done from an Apple computer?

Yes, it can be done from a Mac using OS X in either one of the following ways:

• Use Apple's Boot Camp Assistant (in the Applications/Utilities folder) to create new partition on your Mac's hard drive. Then, boot into that partition at computer startup 
• Install a Windows emulator, such as Parallels (what I use) or VM FusionWare to create a Windows environment under the Mac OS itself. Then, run the equator as an application from the Mac Desktop.

Either way, you'd need to obtain and install a licensed copy of Windows in the Boot camp partition, or under the Mac OS X emulator application.

It is hard for me to justify an update when the system does everything I want it to do and only fails when I don't do what I am supposed to do.

The reasons to upgrade to the latest release are twofold:

• It's considerably more difficult to diagnose problems when you're using an older release
• Newer releases contains corrections to bugs in earlier releases
• Newer releases contain new DCS features and functions.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase  from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

So to update I have to have a PC or an emulator for my MAC. That adds further to the cost of just updating to get the WiFi adapter which will not at this time run my AIU. Not a convincing argument for the WiFi adapter or to update my TIU. I have the "DCS Companion 2nd Edition". Why should I move to the third edition? 

Since you are the author how about a comment by me. I find all the information there very good and have referred to it many times. Thank you for this book. The MTH DCS instruction book is tough to get through and has an bunch of Lionel digital control stuff that is wasted pages for me as I have zero Lionel stuff. I am all MTH.

Thank you for taking the time to try unravel the few problems I have with my DCS but in reality they are mostly behind me.

LDBennett

Not a convincing argument for the WiFi adapter or to update my TIU. 

Upgrading to DCS 5.0, in addition to adding support for the WiFi App and WIU, also corrects several bugs that are in DCS 4.20 and has a much improved lashup process. Additionally, being on the latest release of DCS improves the ability of other slo help you with any issues that you may encounter. Upgrading is primarily to your benefit, not mine.

As far as complete DCS App control over accessories and switch tracks, that's coming this Spring.

If you have concerns about upgrading your DCS, you could get it done, for a nominal fee, by your local MTH dealer.

I have the "DCS Companion 2nd Edition". Why should I move to the third edition?

Because, in addition to a discussion of the DCS WiFi App and the WIU, it also contains quite a bit of other additional information, corrections and an Index.

Regardless, at $14.95 for the eBook or $34.95 for the print book, it's arguably among the least expensive accessories available for DCS.