MTH Proto 2/3 to Factory Settings w/o Full DCS Question

No, that will not work.  The "only" units that can reset the PS/2 to true factory defaults are the full DCS system or the DCS Commander (Not to be confused with the DCS Remote Commander).

Thanks for your responses. I was hoping I found a solution. I enjoy the wireless operation of the DCS Remote Commander, but the simple solution is to get a Z Controller. 

John, a transformer reset doesn't reset the address?

Nope, you have to do the address reset with a DCS system.

If you have a LHS that carries/services MTH products they should be able to perform the Factory Reset for you.  Or inquire here if there's another member or club nearby willing to do this for you.  It takes less than 5 minutes.

I have been hoping to get that done for about five years.  Is there a plug-in module that I could pull out and ship to MTH for a reset?  It is my only sound locomotive.

It is 2-rail only, which completely flummoxed the local hobby shop.  They tried with less than the full DCS system, but I had to be there to show them how to hook up the center rail lead.  Didn't work.

No simple pop-out module or whatever.  You'd have to remove the entire PS2 board-pair, disconnecting the half-dozen or so harness/connectors and releasing the boards from any mounting hardware.  Even then, I'm not sure if MTH or any of the service gurus would advise this simply from risk of damaging something during removal and re-installation.

If your LHS tried this with "less than the full DCS system" it wouldn't work as GRJ points out earlier irrespective of 2-rail or 3-rail.

I've always thought it would have been cool if MTH made a light weight (so under $3 shipping) widget that could be mailed to guys in remote locations.  It would simply perform the factory/address reset.  Then you mail it back.  It is technically possible but with PS3 now reset-able from the remote, that train has long ago left the station. 

I'm not sure why 2-rail threw them.  Other than flipping the switch for DCS polarity, it's just like 3-rail.  I've done some 2-rail DCS upgrades, there was no special challenges involved.

Like Stan says, it's "possible", and of course I remove the boards all the time during service, but it would certainly be easy to damage them during the removal or re-installation.  The good part is the connectors are all different pin counts, so it's pretty easy to get it back together.

The Z-4000 has Reset capability for PS-1, but that is the original conventional type system.  Do not confuse it with the PS-2 and now 3 DCS Command system.

I am baffled why a hobby shop would be confused with 2R.  Just make sure you have polarity right and the reset should take, unless the battery is dead and the engine can not record to memory the setting change.  G

George, it's probably a shop that doesn't do any 2-rail work, so they're a bit befuddled about how to approach it.  I remember when I got my first 2-rail upgrade in, it took a bit to get my arms around the job.

Huh?  Power is power.  2 lines in for either 2R or 3R.  Still surprise a LHS would not be aware of 2R.  My first did not take a bit, and that was a early direct drive MTH unit.  G

I agree, it wasn't the power that was the issue, it was getting my head wrapped around the oddball track power pickup after working with 3-rail all this time.   After doing a couple of the 2-rail upgrades, it comes much easier.

Try 'Toys In The Attic"  in Crestwood.  They are an ASC.

bruce

Bruce, where is Toys In The Attic? I did a quick google search and can't find them. I don't live too far from Crestwood. Thanks!

Enter your zip into the MTH service center locator and you get :

You can then get phone, email contact info by selecting a dealer.