I'm new to DCS. When I hook up to the variable channels and run in command everything works fine. When I run a conventional engine the horn and bell don't work when pushing the buttons. I'm using a ZW transformer and have tried it with a Williams and Lionel engine. Is there something I'm missing?
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Is it Proto 3.0? What is the Item Number? That would help solve your question easy.
SDIV Tim posted:Is it Proto 3.0? What is the Item Number? That would help solve your question easy.
It's not command engines, they work great. It's when I run a conventional only engine that I get no bell or horn
Well, with a post-war ZW, you certainly won't get a bell, it only has a horn button. The primary issue with many post-war transformers is they require sufficient current being drawn from the transformer to provide the DC offset for the horn function. It's not that unusual for them to have issues with modern electronic horns/whistles.
Are you operating the conventional engines from the DCS Remote's TRK screen? If so, the Bell and Horn/Whistle buttons should work for conventional engines.
We need to know whether you're using the Handle on the ZW or the dcs remote and the TR button to run conventional.
I'm using the DCS remote and the TR button
If you're running close to full throttle, I've seen them not work, they need some headroom to function. If you're running at lower speeds, I don't know what to say. 
As Barry Mentioned, They should be working. You shouldn't have to do this but try turning off the dcs signal with Menu/DCS set up/ Select the var channel and turn off the signal.
Any chance you may have the wires reversed from var out to the track?( red always to center rail).
I'm not sure if they were reversed if you would get the bell instead of the whistle or anything. ( A regular transformer yes).
I might try it tomorrow &see what happens,.
I'm starting to think there is a problem with the variable channels. I set up a test track and been experimenting with some different engines and seen some weird things happening. A couple conventional engines powered up, started going and the horn constantly blew. Some ran and nothing happened when hitting the horn button. A couple of proto 2 engines started going with the track voltage at zero on the remote when I turned up the transformer. If I run through the fixed channels everything works fine in command with the remote and fine in conventional using my transformer to control.
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