Need Help with MTH DCS TIU

I think the Auxiliary Input is only to power the TIU and not the layout. I believe you still need a transformer to power the tracks themselves, but my layout did not use the Auxiliary power for the TIU, so I could be wrong. You May want to wait for some other thoughts with people that have used it far longer then I have.

Definitely use Fixed IN 1 for your Z750. It will power your track that way. AUX power is just for the TIU. As an aside, you can use a much smaller power supply with the appropriate barrel connector into the AUX power.

The Z500 is enough to power a 4x8 loop unless you're drawing a lot of power eg a long train with lots of passenger cars

If you have confirmed power on the track, try placing the locomotive right by the lock on with no other engines on the track and see if you can add it. If your engine starts up in conventional mode (powers up, lights up etc) without being added to the remote, you can still try adding it to the remote at that time.

What error message do you get when you try to add an engine?

As tcochran said above, you should connect your z500 to the fixed1 input of the TIU. That will power the TIU and send power to any tracks connected to the fixed1 output. 

Put one engine on the track then turn on the power and try to add it to the remote. Let us know what error message you get when you try this to help narrow down the possible problems.

So we're all on the same page, by "quick set-up" you are referring to steps 5 and 6 on p. 18 of the DCS manual?

As asked above, what exact status or error messages are you getting?

I am getting two different error messages depending on what I do.  If I hit the Read button, it confirms the TIU is connected, no AIU found as I don't have one, and says "No Active DCS Engines".

If I follow the steps above thru the add engine feature in the menu and select Add MTH Engine, I get an error message which states "No Engine to Add".

And to confirm this is with the Z500 connected thru Fixed1 Input, no other cars on the track and the Diesel engine sitting on right on the section with the lockon/power.

Haven't tried conventional mode yet.  Will run into the other room and try that and reply back.

sorry to interrupt Stan!

@TF44494014 posted:

...

And to confirm this is with the Z500 connected thru Fixed1 Input, no other cars on the track and the Diesel engine sitting on right on the section with the lockon/power.

And the Diesel is dark/silent with power on the track?

Yes, the Diesel is dark/silent with power on the track; confirmed again with caboose.  Just tried adding the engine thru the ADD TMCC Engine with no luck.  And the DCS Remote I have connected via the telephone jack so it is confirmed communicating.  Unless I am not following the steps correctly but it seems pretty straight forward.

I am trying to add Union Pacific SD70ACe Diesel engine.

If your engine is dark and silent when you apply power then that means one of two things:

1) There is no power to that section of track. That is unlikely since it is the track section with the power lockon. You can eliminate this possibility by testing that section with a lighted caboose.

2) The engine is receiving the DCS signal (which is why is stays dark and silent) but the signal is not good enough to add it to the remote.

Here are a couple of easy things you can try after you eliminate #1 as the problem. First check the track to make sure it is clean. Next check the engine wheels and pickup rollers to make sure they are clean. You can also try moving the engine to a different spot on the layout. 

You should be using "Add MTH Engine" when you are trying to add it to the remote.  The "Add TMCC Engine" command won't work for an engine from MTH.

I know that this might sound simplistic, but did you press the "Start Up" button #3 when your engine is on the track and it's powered up?  Initially, I found that I was having the same problems you were and a fellow enthusiast brought this to my attention.

If you can power the TIU through its Aux In jack (using another transformer or a wall wart) instead of powering through Fixed Input 1, you could then try connecting your Z-500 to Fixed Input 2 and then out to the track from Fixed Output 2 and see if that helps.

MTH engines come with DCS inside. So like posted above, you use the add MTH engine command.

Add TMCC engine is for engines equipped with that. Usually Lionel, Atlas, 3rd Rail, etc.

Also for any future posts, we need the exact model number of an engine to help determine what type electronics package is inside. MTH has released several over the years and the older ones have different issues.

https://mthtrains.com/search/U...%20Pacific%20SD70ACe

Try what Richie C suggests.  Specifically, power your test track/loop from the Fixed 2 output.  As I understand it, you have a Z-500 brick source from a starter set.

Since your TIU itself is powered by the Z-500 brick thru the Fixed 1 input, you'll still need this connection.  Hence, run 2 jumpers from the Red and Black Fixed 1 inputs over to the Fixed 2 inputs.  And then power your track from the Fixed 2 output.  It's a long-shot since presumably you purchased a working/new TIU...but I suppose the communications circuitry for the Fixed 1 output might be compromised while the Fixed 2 output might be 100% good to go.  There is separate DCS communications circuitry for Fixed 1 and Fixed 2.

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Separately, as Joe suggests, it's always helpful to know the exact SKU or item number of your engine(s).  I believe you have so-called PS3 (Protosound 3) engines since you said you could "reset" the engine using the starter-set DCS Remote Commander.  That you can control your engines using the DCS Remote Commander is probably the most useful data point.  In any case, while this may seem like a game of 20-questions, this is par for the course!   

Stan and Richie,  Thank you for the suggestion as that worked!  I have two jumpers going over to Fixed 2 Input and the track on Fixed 2 output.  I was able to add the engine and run it.

So does this mean I have a faulty TIU?  I will later when I have time try switching it back to see if I can still run it thru Fixed 1 now that the engine has been added and follow-up to confirm if I am successful.

Thank you for helping with this!  

Best Regards, Chris

It sounds like Fixed 1 is compromised, but you'll know for sure when you try to re-hook it up. There are a variety of things that could be the problem and some are easier than others to fix, depending on your skill and soldering level. Being a tinkerer, I'd take it apart and try to locate the source of the problem, but that's just me.

For the most part, I'd probably leave it alone. With a 4' X 8' layout, the Z-500 and one fixed output (Fixed 2) should be sufficient for your current needs. If you decide to expand and stay with command control, you can always upgrade your transformer to something with more power and/or convert one or both of the TIU's variable channels to a fixed output should you decide to add more tracks/lines. 

Glad it worked out.

Take a look at this contemporaneous thread about powering the TIU.

Summarizing.  You have a 50 Watt power source (Z-500 brick).  Obviously this was enough to run one engine as per the Starter Set.  For budgeting purposes, the TIU itself "steals" 5-10 Watts from the Fixed 1 input leaving that much less power to your track/engine(s).  As an aside, the DCS Remote Commander from the Starter Set "steals" about 1-2 Watts from the Z-500.

I don't know if you plan to simultaneously run both engines on your son's layout but 50 Watts would be pushing it...obviously depends on how many cars being pulled, speed, etc. albeit a 4x8 layout.  Anyway, the point in the linked thread is you may already have a wall-wart power adapter to supply the 5-10 Watts of TIU power. That way, all 50 Watts of the Z-500 is available to run your engine(s).

Another idea.  Since you apparently have PS3 engines, in a pinch you can run the engines and the TIU (or even the DCS Remote Commander) on DC.  Point being, you might already have an unused DC-output laptop charger with more than 50 Watts capability.  That is, 90 Watt "universal" DC-output laptop chargers go for about $10...a lot more economical and compact than AC output train transformer bricks with similar wattage.  I have written about this in previous OGR threads and can re-visit if there's interest.

HI,

I have a couple products that maybe some DCS system, I have an extra TIU w/ Remote for sell, both have been upgraded to run as new, they are in very good condition. I can photo set soon... just wanna put this news out....

Chuckg

Hi Chuck how much do you what for it?

After reading the post is their anyone with a remote for a very bugeted price thanks

@kevin knaus posted:

After reading the post is their anyone with a remote for a very bugeted price thanks

Remotes are an endangered species and out of production permanently, so finding a DCS remote for a budget price is the impossible dream!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Remotes are an endangered species and out of production permanently, so finding a DCS remote for a budget price is the impossible dream!

You ain't joking!! At first Trainworld was selling these at $179, then $199, and then $250 for quite awhile. Now with only one left in stock...

YIKES!!! 😲

Thanks for the replies so here's the question if I have a tiu can I use it without having to buy the Wi-Fi

@kevin knaus posted:

Thanks for the replies so here's the question if I have a tiu can I use it without having to buy the Wi-Fi

Sure, the WiFi is only for using your phone or other smart device.  The remote talks directly to the current TIU, but not to the upcoming TIU/WiFi box.

@kevin knaus posted:

After reading the post is their anyone with a remote for a very bugeted price thanks

what do you think is a budget price ? $250.00 ? if so...contact me