My layout is OPERATIONAL but......no Power to Tracks?

Yes. I see this all the time. Normal operation AFAIK. I know there is a setting where you can have the variables always be on full, but I forget how to access it. That MAY be a way to by-pass the throttle down throttle back up routine. Barry is the one to ask.

BTW, if you are running command only, why not use the fixed channels? That's what they are designed for.

Chris

LVHR

Junior,

First, are you operating conventional engines as well as DCS engines? If you aren't, it would be easier to use the fixed channels instead.

If, however, you are using the variable channels to operate both DCS and conventional engines, you must turn up power on the variable channel using the DCS Remote whenever you have turned the TIU off and then on again.

On the other hand, if you're only running using command control for DCS engines, you have two choices:

• Use the fixed channels instead.
• Use the variable channels but set them to fixed mode of operation so that they will pass power to the tracks as soon as power is input to a channel. They will, in effect, become fixed channels.

To set a variable Chanel to fixed mode of operation, first enter the following on the DCS Remote:

Menu/System/DCS Setup

Then, follow these instructions on page 48 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

• If there is more than one TIU in the DCS Remote, a list of all TIUs in the DCS Remote is displayed
• If only one TIU is in the DCS Remote, this screen is not displayed and this step is skipped
• If there is more than one TIU present in the DCS Remote, use the thumbwheel to scroll to the TIU that has one or more of the channels whose behavior is to be modified. Press the thumbwheel to select the TIU
• A list of all channels of the selected TIU is displayed along with 5 soft keys
• To turn the DCS signal on or off on any one channel, or to toggle a variable channel between variable and fixed operation, select the channel by scrolling to it using the thumbwheel
• To turn the DCS Signal on or off on that channel, press soft key S1 (ON) to turn the DCS signal on or S2 (OFF) to turn it off
• To toggle a selected Variable Channel between Fixed and Variable modes of operation, press soft key S5 (FXD) 
• A message is displayed indicating that the channel is set to either Fixed or Variable mode
• To turn the DCS signal on or off for all channels of the selected TIU, press soft key S3 (AON) to turn the DCS signal on or press soft key S4 (AOF) to turn the DCS signal off
• When a TIU Variable Channel is set to Fixed mode, it will remain in Fixed mode until one of the following occurs:

The Variable Channel is toggled back to Variable mode using Soft Key S5 (FXD). It will remain in Variable mode until it is once again toggled to Fixed mode using Soft Key S5 (FXD)

The TR button is pressed, the track associated with the Variable Channel is selected and the thumbwheel is turned 1 click. The channel will be placed in  Variable mode until it is once again toggled to Fixed mode using Soft Key S5 (FXD) or until the DCS Remote is powered off and then back on again.

This and a whole lot more about DCS is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Oh man.....you guys are AWESOME!! Yep....I chose to use the Varable channels because I do plan to run Conventional as well as digital MTH and Lionel TMCC engines (though I haven't hooked up the TMCC unit yet......baby steps if you know what I mean) but NOT at the same time.

Barry....I'm embarrased to say I've not purchased the 3rd Edition....I'm still working with the 2nd Edition. You've packed SO much information in these wonderful books that even when you read them several times, you pick up something new.

I also promised I would go through my power down/power up process to confirm varying the track voltage is required to "wake up" the TIUs (for lack of a better term) to push power to the track. And yes, voltage varying was again required. This is no biggie now that I know I need to incorporate that step in my power up process.

Thanks again for the quick response you guys.....the people on this forum are just incredible!

"wha-la"   !!!

Yea....I know Arthur......I took my best shot at spelling it :-)

voilà!   wha la!   Sounds the same to me Art.