MTH TIU does not seem to be sending out the DCS signals to the track

Did you go into the remote and turn on DCS to all outputs?

https://ogrforum.com/...erform-this-function

https://ogrforum.com/...-dcs-signal-from-tiu

https://ogrforum.com/...-aghr-and-mth?page=7

DCS user manual https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/20as14017i.pdf

@Doug F posted:

The TIU variable channel is working in conventional mode but I cannot get the DCS signal to identify any locomotive. Ensure you have DCS signal enabled on that channel. This is slightly easier when using WIU and DCS app VS remote but either control method can set or check TIU channel settings.

Is there anyway to confirm this? Yes, typically isolating the ouput to a test track to a known good engine and checking signal strength, there also are other methods and DIY circuits for testing signal strength.

Does anyone repair these units? Yes, quite a few folks do and some users even self repair these using info from the TIU signal topics. I would recommend getting familiar with the ACT244 chip and TVS diode topics.

Vernon,

I have the TIU connected to an isolated track section, the only response the DCS provides is "No engine on track" 

I'm afraid my trouble shooting abilities are more suited to the post -war era.

Any further suggestions?

Thanks

Doug

@Doug F posted:

Vernon,

I have the TIU connected to an isolated track section, the only response the DCS provides is "No engine on track"

I'm afraid my trouble shooting abilities are more suited to the post -war era.

Any further suggestions?

Thanks

Doug

Did you read all those topics linked?

Did you read the DCS manual?

Did you ensure signal was turned on?

Did you test the other variable channel? Example all other channels work in DCS but just not Variable 1?

Page 136-138 of the DCS manual

https://ogrforum.com/...%20Users%20Guide.pdf

Trouble-Shooting
137
STEP II - Establish communication between the TIU and a PS2 Engine
A. Place one PS2 equipped engine on a track hooked to the Fixed 1 output of the TIU.
B. Power up the transformer that is hooked to the Fixed input 1 of the TIU.
C. Press the READ button. - If the remote does not find the TIU go back to STEP I
D. Try to add the PS2 engine in to the remote by pressing the MENU button, then
selecting System, then Engine Setup, Add Engine, Add MTH Engine.
1. If the engine adds in to the remote that means that channel seems to be
working properly - do a track signal test to make sure.
2. If the engine does not add in to the remote:
a. Make sure that the engine is not already in the remotes engine list.
If the engine is already in the remote then select the engine from the
list and start it up - if the engine starts up that means that channel on
the TIU seems to be working ok - do a track signal test to make sure.
b. Make sure there is in fact power on the track by placing a lighted
car on the track by the engine or checking any lighted lock-ons that
may be hooked to that particular track.
-If there is no power to the track then check the wiring from the out
put of the TIU to the track. If that looks ok then you may open the
TIU and check for either a blown fuse in the TIU or a loose wire
connecting the PCB to one of the input/output terminals.
c. Make sure that the DCS signal is turned on to that track by pressing
the Menu button, then selecting System, then DCS Setup, then press
the S3 soft key it will say AON above it on the LCD. Try to add the
engine again. If the engine adds in to the remote that means that
channel is now working properly - do a track signal test to make sure.
d. Rule out the layout/wiring as being the problem. You can do that
by hooking up just a test track to the output of the channel and
placing one PS2 equipped engine on it. Power everything back up and
try to add the engine again.
1. If the engine adds on the test track that means the problem most likely lies
in the layout/wiring. Do a track signal test while the engine is on the test track -
you should have no less than a 10.
2. If the engine does not add on the test track or you have a poor track signal
strength then it is recommended to return the TIU for repair.
E. Test all other channels on the TIU to be sure they can communicate with a PS2
engine. Be sure to power up either Fixed 1 or AUX power when using Fixed 2, VAR 1,
or VAR 2. If you can not get any voltage out of one or both of the variable channels
then proceed to STEP III.
DCS Command System User’s Guide
Trouble-Shooting
138
STEP III - Ensure that the Variable voltage channels are working
correctly
A. Hook up a track to the output of VAR 1 making sure you have either a lighted lock-
on or a lit passenger car on the track.
B. Power up the TIU using either Fixed input 1 or AUX power.
C. Connect a MTH recommended transformer to the input side of VAR 1 and raise the
throttle to MAX.
D. Using the DCS remote press the TR button and make sure there are variable tracks
added in to the remote. They should come up as TIU # VAR 1 and TIU # VAR 2.
· If no tracks come up in the remote or the tracks that do come up are named something
different and you don't know which TIU and VAR channel they may be linked to then
you must *add the correct tracks in to the remote. (ie. if when you press the TR button
the tracks come up with names of top and bottom and your not sure if top is VAR 1 or
VAR 2). *See the owner's manual for directions on how to do this.
E. Select TIU # VAR 1 from the list - you should now have a screen that says VOLTS:
0.0. Using the thumb wheel scroll the voltage up to 10V - check to see if there is in fact
voltage on the track by looking at the lighted lock-on or the lit passenger car on the track.
-If there is voltage on the track try scrolling the voltage up and down a couple times
making sure the light in the lock-on/passenger car gets dimmer and brighter. If it does
that means everything seems to be working ok on VAR 1 - proceed to checking the VAR
2 channel.
F. Make sure the tracks added in to the track menu are for the correct TIU (ie. if your
TIU is on address 3 and the tracks come up TIU 1 VAR 1 and TIU 1 VAR 2 they will
not work).
- If the tracks are pointing to an incorrect TIU address delete them and add in the cor-
rect tracks.
G. Open the TIU and check for a blown fuse and/or a loose wire connecting the PCB
to the input/output terminals.
1. If there is in fact a blown fuse or a loose wire then correct the problem and
try again.
2. If there are no fuses or the fuses are ok and the wires connecting the PCB
to the input/output terminals are all intact then you most likely have a
component problem in the TIU.
H. If none of the above measures correct the problem then it would be best to send
the DCS system in for repair