new lionel engines not loading into DCS

Follow the guide on page 58 of the DCS System Operators Manual 5th Edition.pdf.  That works fine for me.

You have already assigned the Lionel Engine a ID number using TMCC/Legacy prior to beginning the MTH process correct?

BobbyD, I’m assigning the ID using the DCS remote, as I’ve done with other Lionel and Atlas engines.

Gunny....thanks for the 5th edition which I didn’t have.  However, I am using the DCS Users’ Manual along with Barry’s DCS O Gauge Companion, 2nd Edition

Just trying to help out.

You are assigning the Lionel Eng number with the MTH Remote? Does it move with your Lionel remote under that number?

Or assigning the MTH "Gooey" version of the Lionel number?  

I'm not sure why they won't load, but I can tell you that some people do have issues getting TMCC running initially using only the DCS remote.  I always advise anyone that wants to run TMCC or Legacy with the MTH system to at least have a basic TMCC or Legacy remote to handle any configuration issues.

Can you try assigning a number with a Cab-1, Cab1L, or Legacy remote? If it works that way you can at least verify that the locomotive is ok.

I run all my TMCC locomotives from a DCS remote. I've had no issues changing TMCC ID numbers using the remote. I do have a Cab-1 for any TMCC programming issues, if they arise. Of course the displayed number on the DCS remote never matches the assigned TMCC locomotive ID number, as the system isn't set up to work that way. It just slots the TMCC locomotive into the DCS remote in the next available space, regardless of the TMCC number assigned to the locomotive.

Appreciate all the input. Went down to layout, loaded new batteries in DCS remote, still got nothing. Put two older Atlas and Lionel engines on tracks, they fired up and ran flawlessly. These same engines were loaded into same DCS remote, without any issues. To have to resort to using a Cab-1 to load an engine defeats the main purpose, from an MTH perspective, wouldn’t it?

Does the locomotive have a TMCC address assigned yet. The number the DCs remote assigns to the locomotive does not match its TMCC address. First enter the TMCC locomotive into the DCS remote following these steps:

1. The LCD prompts you to name the engine, and an alphanumeric character set is displayed. Use the thumbwheel to scroll through the character set, and when the character you want to type next is bracketed, press the thumbwheel to select it. You may give the engine a name up to 16 characters long. Select the “D” at the end of the character set to signify that you are done with this function.

2.  The LCD prompts you for the engine’s TMCC number. Enter the number you previously assigned the engine when you entered it into the TMCC Command Base (the address you use to address the engine when you run it with the Cab 1®). This number is unrelated to the number DCS assigns the engine in the DCS engine list.

3. Next, select the TIU Address that is connected to the TMCC Command Base.

4. DCS automatically assigns the engine to a place in the engine list and takes you to the engine screen.

Note: The newly added TMCC engine will first appear in the Inactive Engine List.  It must be activated by selecting it before the engine will operate.

Now go back and edit the TMCC engine address. Follow these steps:

1. Scroll through the active engine list and when the arrow is beside the engine you want to renumber, press the S/U softkey (S2) to edit the address. Select Edit Engine Address from the available choices.

2. The LCD will prompt you to put the switch under the engine into the PROG position.

3. Scroll to a TMCC engine address that is not already occupied by another TMCC engine. Press the thumbwheel to select it.

4. The LCD will prompt you to return the switch under the engine to the RUN position, and the edit is complete.

I've added all of my TMCC locomotives to the DCS remote using this procedure and they have worked fine.

Lou1985...as I have a number of Lionel and Atlas engines, when prompted I’ll put in the next open TMCC number. Despite doing this, the engine will not start-up or respond to commands.

What Lionel Base do you have? 

(If you unplug the Lionel base, do the units run conventionally?)

If you have not been able to change the Lionel TMCC/Legacy ID can you enter them as engine 1 for a test? I've never tried it.

Using the Lionel Remote to assign the engine number seems a small price to pay so you can then run them with the DCS remote. 

Just checking, you're moving the run/program switch when assigning the TMCC number?

I’m not using a Lionel base. I have a TMCC with a TIU/DCS system set-up, DCS hand-held

alcosruule posted:

I’m not using a Lionel base. I have a TMCC with a TIU/DCS system set-up, DCS hand-held

 I sure hope that TMCC base is a Lionel base, or that would explain your problems!

The difference seems to be the engines you have are already configured, so all you need to do is enter the numbers into the DCS remote.  The new engines you're trying to set their ID, are you switching them to program when you add them?  Also, have you verified they actually run on a TMCC or Legacy layout?

So you don't have a Cab-1? I would suggest that you verify the locomotive works with a Cab-1 but you don't have one for testing. 

In that case do as I posted above. Enter the locomotive in the DCS remote with a dummy number. Then go back and edit the TMCC address following the steps above. You don't need a Cab-1 to enter/edit the locomotive TMCC address. The DCS remote and TIU can do it following the steps above. 

Otherwise take it to another layout that has TMCC and a Cab-1 and see if the locomotive works there.

Videos on what I'm describing:

Add to remote https://youtu.be/lwglG5bwtYY

Edit TMCC address 

https://youtu.be/gXtNuzFPxUI

At this point an image of the TMCC and DCS set up.

Appreciate all the replies. Tried entering engine through Cab-1, same response (or lack of). Headlight came on, nothing else. Really at a loss as to what to do next....no followup from Lionel or dealer I bought these from as yet. Waiting on “repaired” second version of this engine to see if maybe they got it right on this one.

After adding, denting re-adding then re-editing address, the engine finally added. When I went to run it last it, headlights came on, but no sounds, then started running with no sounds. Powered off, re-powered it, it then started up and ran as expected. My suspicion is there may be a short given what happened earlier? Nonetheless, it’s at least running, even if sporadically.

Once again, appreciate all the input and suggestions.

Since you had issues running the locomotive with a Cab-1 that rules out the DCS remote/TIU. The issue resides with the locomotive.

Fix the TMCC operation first, then worry about running it with the MTH system.

As the engine took off with  no speed on the DCS remote dialed up, the only way to shut it down was by decreasing the voltage on the remote.  It only happened one time, so far.  When running this and other Lionel/Atlas engines through DCS, I am getting indication on the TMCC that it is receiving a signal from the remote (red light flashing on TMCC). It ran fine for another half hour, including shutdown sequence.

I plan on running it again tonight, hopefully, symptom-free.

Thanks all for the input.