Multiple TIU question

One thing about super, only the tiu's zone  the train is operating in has to be powered.

Even if you added all your engine to tiu #1 and only wanted to operate in tiu #3s zone it works just fine.

Vince,

I couldn't find this specific information in Barry's book.

Actually, what you seek is, indeed, in the book!  

There is one issue of which you should be aware if you operate a remote that has multiple TIUs where on or more are not powered on. I's on page 148 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition, and I've included it below with the talent paragraph bolded:

Out of RF Range

This error message has three possible reasons for being displayed. The first is that the DCS Remote issued a command to a TIU and did not get a response. There's no immediate way of knowing if the TIU did not receive the command or if the TIU did not respond to the DCS Remote.

A second possible reason why this error message is displayed is that the TIU responded to a command issued by a DCS Remote with a message that the command could not be completed.

The third instance in which this error message may be displayed is when adding engines if the DCS Remote contains more than one TIU; the engine being added is on a track belonging to a TIU that is not the lowest numbered TIU; and if any lower numbered TIUs are not powered on. The duration of the error message will depend upon how many lower numbered TIUs than the one where the engine is located are not powered on.

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!

Huh? I don't think I've ever run into the third one.  You may have missed that the remote and tiu are actually out of range.

Thanks for the reply, Barry.  I didn't think to look in the section on Out of RF Range errors.

Based on your comments, it sounds like I can only add G gauge engines (which will be on track belonging to TIU #3) if TIU's #1 and #2 are also powered on. 

Since the third instance of the Out of RF Range message is for "adding engines," am I correct in assuming that I can run G gauge engines with TIU's #1 and #2 off that have already been added as belonging to TIU #3?

Add you G gauge engines to tiu #3 (on tiu #3s track) in normal mode with  the other  tiu shut down. Now put Tiu #3 to super..    That should do it.

Gregg,

You may have missed that the remote and tiu are actually out of range.

No, that's not it.

There's a bona fide issue when adding engines if the a TIU with a lower number, than the one where is the engine to be added, is powered off.

Add you G gauge engines to tiu #3 (on tiu #3s track) in normal mode with  the other  tiu shut down. Now put Tiu #3 to super..    That should do it.

No, that can trigger the error message. The issue is all about which TIUs are entered into the remote vs. which TIUs are available and powered on.

Vince,

Since the third instance of the Out of RF Range message is for "adding engines," am I correct in assuming that I can run G gauge engines with TIU's #1 and #2 off that have already been added as belonging to TIU #3?

Yes, that should be fine.

You can always have tiu's on but no power applied to inputs or turn track voltages to 0.

Robert,

22 minutes ago

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You can always have tiu's on but no power applied to inputs or turn track voltages to 0.

Agreed 

You have to be kidding!!!! DCS is in worse shape than I thought. Are  you're saying you can't add a engine to a tiu in normal mode if there are other tiu in the remote with a lower address.  I'm out today but will give it a try later.. I'm certainly not an expert have been running super  since 02.

Gregg,

Pretty much, yes, although it may be different in DCS 4.30 than it was in 4.20. Also, it may have something to do with having some TIUs in Super mode and others not.

It's confusing, since it's intermittent. It will appear to work sometimes and not others.

I'm not really certain that it can be classified as a "bug", per se. If there's a TIU in the remote, the remote expects to be able to find it. It's somewhat consistent with getting an error message if you query a TIU for it's DCS Version when the TIU isn't powered on. You will, properly, get an error message.

Wholly Crabbbbb,

Looks like I'm going to remove my O gauge TIU's from my outside remote.

I think it is time for me to start all over. I may as well just reset the remote and get all the addresses back too.