MTH (PS3? Upgrade) J1E Premiere Engine will not add to DCS Commander - "ER" message

I would try doing a factory reset using the DCS Explorer or a Conventional transformer and then see if you can add it using the DCS Commander.

Thank you for that suggestion!  I did try a full reset using the Explorer and then made several attempts to add to the Commander, but no success.  The Explorer had no issue adding the engine again after the reset.

Maybe I should try a reset using a transformer?  Not sure if that would make any difference as opposed to doing the reset using the Explorer?

I don't own a DCS Commander but I have some experience with them. I do believe there are firmware updates available from MTH. Have you Verified that the unit has the latest firmware installed?

The most recent firmware is 13 years old, but maybe he has older firmware.

DCS Software Downloads

You may need to do a recover engine if some how the upgrade board has an out of range ID.  Anyone with a full DCS system near you?  G

I'm in St Louis MO.  I dont know anyone personally thats into this hobby so I'm not sure how to proceed there short of buying a TIU and remote. 

I will give the firmware update a shot and report back. 

having some unexpected issues with the firmware update.  looks like i need a serial to usb cable of some sort.

two questions - does anyone know the process for updating the firmware on the commander given that this is the serial version and not usb.  I have a USB to serial cable on the way from amazon, but not sure if it will work with current software on a windows 11 machine, which is all i have to work with...

also, is there a way to do an engine recovery without a TIU?  I assume a receovery is different than a factory reset (which the dcs explorer allows me to do, and I have tried...)  I assume the only way is to find someone who has one...?

Well, I spent all night figuring out how to do the firmware upgrade.   Pulled an old pc out of storage that had a serial port.   Made a serial cable out of breadboard wire and flashed the commander with the latest firmware.   Still can't add the engine though.

Can anyone elaborate on the statement of an out of range ID?  Is the only solution to this possibility an engine recover?  And do I need a TIU for this?

I don't know if a TIU can fix it, but I saw someone mentioned a "conventional reset", that is, using a transformer and the bell and whistle buttons.

I would recommend that. Every crazy situation I've found a DCS locomotive stuck in was fixed by the conventional reset.

An out of range is when the board sets and ID greater than 99.  The DCS system is looking for 0-99.  MTH did a software change in TIU to allow you to search for a number greater than 99.  If found it resets it to Factory reset value. So a normal add engine can locate it and add to remote.

Granted this is normally a problem with PS-2 5V boards with dead batteries and occasionally 3V.  Don't think I have seen it with PS-3 or 32.  But I would always try it first.

Does it still run with your explorer?  G