Problems with early DCS/TMCC cable?

If you would.....Check the plugs on each end. The cable I had was labeled which end went to what.  Just a thought

"Pappy"

I just had the same problem.  There is a black box in the cord set, it contains isolators for the com lines in the cable.  If they are blown out you can not use the cable.  And you can not also check the cable because the pins on each end are not connected, even on a working cable set.

Happy Pappy is correct, the cable will NOT work if it's reversed.

The very first release of the cable was not properly configured out of the box (bag).

Various methods of fixing the problem came about at that time(resistor, diode, or optical isolator if I recall).

There was a suggestion from MTH at the time for how to fix it by snipping the cable in half and wiring in a missing component to make it work.  (I do not know if this suggested fix still exists in the MTH archives on their site).  MTH also was willing to exchange the old cable for a new updated one once the problem was addressed, if I recall.  Unfortunately, it seems some original cables are still out there from owners who were not aware of the issue.

Later issues of the cable included the design update and should be fine.  (edit, based on a few posts above mine, I'm guessing the new design uses the optical isolator)

Sorry I do not remember the explicit details off the top of my head, but that's the gist of it.

-Dave

Verified the cable is installed with the labels correct, TIU -> TIU, etc.  As I don't have the box, but remember it didn't come with anything except the cable, I guess I need to order the new/improved/correct cable from MTH.  Thank you!

Kerrigan,

If you do buy a new cable, I recommend you get the one that works with both TMCC and Legacy.  This way you won't have to buy another cable if you ever upgrade to Legacy.

Kerrigan,

Order MTH #50-1032. That will work with both Legacy and TMCC, and also with the Cab1L Base.

Thanks for the number Barry; ordered it.

Back when they made those connector cables, MTH replaced the defective ones under warranty, if you went back to the dealer you bought it from. Fortunately, I got mine when I still lived where there was an LHS and I exchanged mine without a problem. 

It's easy to tell the good cables from the bad ones. The replacement cables had some sort of slider collar on them containing some kind of electronic component - maybe a choke coil, I don't know. I'm not sure if they made a newer version to go with Legacy or if the part Barry mentioned is the same as the one I have. If I can find it in my shop I'll post a picture (I'm not currently using it).

For clarification, does the end with the rectangular box go on the TIU? I just unpacked the TMCC Base and handheld. I want to see if the cable I have works with the test loop using DCS.

Thank you.

Paul

The end with the extra box goes to the TMCC.

Thank you ChooChoo

The one I just received is labeled TIU/TMCC-LEGACY 6' Connector Cable so I'm assuming it's the latest/greatest version.  Now to get it hooked up and see if it will let me add and control TMCC engines via DCS.

I'm thinking I was unable to make this work before as I probably  have one of the original cables, having purchased it when I bought my original TIU shortly after it first came out.