Much too slow responses in SUPER mode

Back to the top!  I assume that my problem was 'missed' by those 'in the know'.... I can't believe that my problem is unique!

Just out of curiousity, have you tried setting the remote in to "SPEED" mode?  It would be interesting to see how this works.

 I don't run in super mode yet.

Whenever my system gets sluggish, it's because it's not getting a response from something that it expects to. Just sounds like something is not set up correctly.

John:  I plead ignorance.  What is this?  I haven't seen it in Barry's book....

Menu, System, Remote Setup, Operating Mode, Speed.

This eliminates the wait for a command to be recognized and a response sent.  Give it a try, at least it'll give us a clue as to what is going on.

I agree with Joe, the remote is waiting for a response from somebody.

Phil,

 I haven't seen it in Barry's book....

I don't see how you could miss it. However, it won't correct whatever is wrong, rather, it will just mask the symptoms.

Regardless, it's described on pages 43-44:

DCS release 4.0 or later provides two different operating modes for the DCS Remote. To set the Operating Mode, use the thumbwheel to scroll to OPERATING MODE and press the thumbwheel to select it

• Select Normal mode by scrolling to NORMAL and pressing the thumbwheel to select it. The display will show SET TO NORMAL

• Select Speed mode by scrolling to SPEED and pressing the thumbwheel to select it. The display will show SET TO SPEED

• Press the Menu key to return to the top level menu

When Normal is selected, the DCS Remote will operate at the speed it did in previous releases of the DCS software. When Speed is selected the response time of the DCS Remote is improved. This is accomplished by instructing the DCS Remote to ignore responses from the TIU when a command is issued. Further, the DCS Remote will not display any error messages that may result from commands that the TIU could not successfully complete. The downside of selecting the Speed operating mode is that the DCS Remote will be unaware of any errors that may occur (Under DCS 4.10 when operating under Speed mode and a subsequent command that requires Normal mode to execute correctly is issued, such as Add Engine, DCS will temporarily switch into Normal mode to execute the command and then will switch back into Speed mode)

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Phil g,

   In most cases you will find 99% of what a DCS runner needs in Barry's book, he is a great technical writer, however technical writing and my engineering mind do not always match up, and sometimes I must look in different places in his book than my logical engineering mind is directing me, to find his technical info.  This is why most engineers are not good technical writers, we stink at it.  Technical writing is a gift in itself, when you think the book lacks the technical info you need, look again

99% of the time you will find it in a different place in the book.

PCRR/Dave  

Where do you think I found out about Speed mode?

John:  GOOD tip; that helped a lot!!!  Almost as fast as NORMAL TIU mode.

Barry:  When you next update your book, I just might volunteer to help you prepare an index.....

  I may just be 'back in business'!!!

That's what I was afraid of.

Joe:  Your comments are confusing.  Please elucidate.

 Sorry. If it works for U than it's great.

I have to get to the root of the problem. To me, I should find it now before it bites me later. So if there's a TIU that's not responding correctly for example, I want to find out why. If my transponder board is loose, I fix it. If I have a loose track joint, or wiring problem, I want it fixed.

 That's what I was referring to.

Is all your MTH DCS equipment using the same DCS version?

Are there any trouble spots on your layout?

I run long trains with helpers. I want to know that when I ask the train to slow down, some engine won't miss that command and push against the train.

Speed mode definitely solves the problem of waiting for an acknowledgement from the locomotive/TIU. It is especially effective when running multiple trains with multiple operators and moving from zone to zone.

We took it a step further at the club and put together a separate setup track with its own TIU and require members to add/edit their engines on the setup track only with a tether connection. That prevents the remote from reaching out to the other TIUs when adding an engine and potentially grabbing an engine running on the layout. This also forces the added locomotive to associate with TIU#1 even though the remote stores the information.

Matt, the NJ-HR do the same thing, they program all the DCS stuff in the back room before it goes on the tracks.

Phil, you do realize that you are giving up the feedback from the locomotives in speed mode.  That's not necessarily a problem, just something to be aware of.

Joe:  Yes; no.

John:Yes; and I have since discovered the 'down side':  Sometimes the command from the remote is not received [esp. via QUICKSPEED], with the result that no change occurs.  I then must re-issue the command.  So far tho', on balance, the SPEED mode has more +'s than -'s.

Phil,

Sometimes the command from the remote is not received [esp. via QUICKSPEED], with the result that no change occurs.  I then must re-issue the command.  So far tho', on balance, the SPEED mode has more +'s than -'s.

Actually, what you've done is trade a slow response and/or error messages for NO response.

As I said previously, Speed Mode doesn't fix anything, rather, it masks symptoms. Where before you would get a slow response or maybe an error message before a response, as the remote resends commands, now you'll get no response at all.

Speed Mode works just like TMCC. A command is issued once only and no response from the TIU is required, expected or acted upon. The remote becomes deaf as a post.

You still have the same problem in your layout, however, it now presents itself differently.

But Barry:  IMO,it DID fix something!  B 4 using SPEED, I had come to 'hate' running my DCS engines....My TMCC stuff was much more fun.  Also, the 'missed' command tradeoff is rare, not common/frequent.  I am much happier now!

If it works for you Phil, that's what counts.

Remember the first rule of model railroading: It's your RR, you get to run it any way you like!

Guns,

   Amen to that!

PCRR/Dave