Occasionally Missing Watch Dog Signal

I have exactly that same issue with a brand new PS3 Shay. It just happened the other day and I've not worried about, at least not yet.

Regardless, it's no big deal as I don't have its siding powered up until I want to run it.

Barry, 

Interesting you have the same issue. Just two basic loops here, no isolated anything. If for example the power trips via breaker and reset, the engine will miss the watch dog. Power off, immediately quiet, try again, may miss watch dog, may not. Wait 30 seconds or so, and it will almost always operate as normal. Seems to be a somewhat common issue based on searching the forum. Glad it doesn't seem to be a big deal, perhaps some sort of quirk/issue with PS3 (despite the engine is particular being a 2012 PS3 piece. My other PS3, an early 2013 steamer doesn't exhibit similar behavior)

If power is shut off, it usually happens 30+/- second after power shut off when power is turned on again. Turning power off, it goes immediately dark and quiet, wait, sometimes repeat process of occasionally missing signal.

If turning power off makes loco immediately go dark, isn't that a capacitor problem.

Even with PS2, about 30 seconds after turning power off there is something like a reset.  On some, restoring power within a few seconds after engine goes dark, causes loco to resume in control.

Robert,

Could be, however, mine doesn't just go dark. It plays its sounds for about 7 or 8 seconds, then turns off.

SJC's problem could just be a confused processor, caused by a power anomaly. My problem, which is no big deal, could be something else. Mine also will start up properly with thumbwheel movement under that new feature for recent PS3 locos.

Regardless, there's no time to really "research" the problem, since we leave for York tomorrow. I'll probably discuss it with Jeff at York.

See you Tuesday for brunch!  

SJC,

You don't by chance have power going to the TIU AUX port do you?

I recently added a 12vdc, 1.5amp wallwart to the mix and now when I turn on the layout I get the symptoms you're seeing.  If I disconnect (or turn off, I have it on a separate power strip, could THAT be the problem?) the AUX power supply the problem goes away.

Not sure if I'll get this problem with all engines, so far just 2 (out of 12) have shown this.  Only had 1 engine on the layout each time this happened.

I hate to admit it, but I don't comprehend the details of the problem SJC is describing.  I am confused by the words I quoted in my last post.

I will note that with PS2 I have experienced an issue where the loco is lit and making sounds, but rolling the speed up does nothing.  Solution is to shut it down, sometimes waiting for a full minute or so, and then pressing startup.  I liken it to the problem one has occasionally with an electronic device, like a cable modem, which requires leaving it turned off for a minute to allow it to reset.

DCS, like a computer (to which it is akin), sometimes does unexplainable things.

I have also had an unexpected start up or two with PS3 engines. I have recently been building a permanent layout with a power switch for each siding where engines are parked. So far I have attributed this to my errors as I am still getting used to having all this after only having a temp layout with only 2 small loops of track. Will watch more closely and see if I can find a pattern.

I got some really interesting results the other day when I pulled into a siding and forgot to turn on the power switch. Not sure who was more confused, me or the engine?

Rob ert,

I will note that with PS2 I have experienced an issue where the loco is lit and making sounds, but rolling the speed up does nothing.

That would indicate that the engine is in conventional mode.

I don't believe so, Barry.  On most locos, I keep conventional volume high and DCS volume low, just to be able to tell when a loco is in conventional.  Seems to happen more with some locos.

Robert,

Show me on Tuesday.

I just tried to reproduce and take a video with my iPhone, go figure, I couldn't reproduce it with the video recording and could when it wasn't.....

I'll try to answer some questions as best I can, I've always been known to not be 100% clear with some technical descriptions so I guess that still holds true!

1) The Z1K is running through the barrel adapter into fixed 1, no aux power, etc. No other channels. 

2) I tested to see if it was a Cap issue but starting up the engine and immediately killing the juice and it continued to run/sound for 10 seconds or so per SOP. 

3) When the engine is shutdown and power is killed, maybe 15-30 seconds after, I hear a click from the engine. If power is turned back on around that click, the engine will sometimes start up in conventional, sometimes remain dark waiting for remote command. Press SU on remote, runs as should. Kill power immediately, it will go dark and silent. Wait a few seconds while idling, I assume for it to charge up, it will run a bit after shutdown per SOP. 

Hope this helps....I also tried a few power on, start up, shut down, kill power, wait 30 - 60 seconds and it performs as designed. I'm starting to think I was confusing the electronics but I'll leave that up to others that may be a bit more informed about how these things operate "under the hood". 

I can't make it happen.  Just happens.  I have no idea what conditions cause it.

SJC,

Is it just this engine or others as well?

A few minutes ago I attempted to replicate the issue with the Shay and could not. Since it only happened once before, I'm going to drop the issue unless it reoccurs.

Regardless, we leave for York tomorrow so it will have to wait a while.

Barry, 

Just this one. I can't reproduce it on any other PS2 engines or my 1 other PS3. I'm thinking I was asking a bit much of it power on/off multiple times. THis is not an engine with the thumbwheel start up. It was delivered in 2012 but I bought it new this past summer. 

Mostly a pre-RailKing GG-1 upgraded, but occasionally others have done it.  I consider it minor and won't lose sleep.

I do agree with SJC that something happens after about 30 seconds.

Are you killing the power to just the track or siding with a switch or killing the z1k TIU and all? I am guessing you are killing everything since you said 'missing watchdog signal'. It seems like mine was happening similar to this. I have new siding switches which I am not used to yet, as I said earlier, so I just figured it was something I was doing.

I think the short on/off with the entire power could be confusing the engine (maybe even TIU?) electronics? It seems like some of my engines have to complete their shut down cycle or I sometimes have strange results when re-starting. I will try and watch more closely what I am doing when this happens to see if it's a glitch or self inflicted.

My descriptions are not always very clear either, I usually can't type what I am thinking very well.

Everything is plugged into a power strip and I power on/off via a flip of the switch on the strip. Been doing it this way since I first got DCS 8 years ago and haven't had an issue. I do let things finish the shut down cycle before turning power off via the strip. If for some reason, I forget something and have to turn power back on soon after powering off, that is where things, like my Amtrak engine here, can get a little funky. 

 I have a couple PS3 engines that do this when they are too close to too many others. If I park them on a block on a TIU channel by themselves, they behave.

I believe they don't like too much company.

For what it's worth:  I have a new PS3 R-K Decapod.  I turn off the power to the track.  AFter the customary pause, the sounds and headlight go out.  If I turn power on within 30 seconds or so, the loco starts up in command mode.  Wait longer, and I have to press STARTUP.

That is correct:  I was just advising that that is the case