Programing track

clem k posted:

Well I have always measured signal in operation.

Clem 

Clemk, Barry B...i just  did a track signal read @ scale 10mph.

Eng address 2(L) GRSPARS Guilford/Pan am 5 engine (3)  ps3,  (2)  ps2 mu>menu>system>track signal:

The readings mostly 10's,several 7's(over turnouts)some 5's and a low 4. The 4 might have been near the insulating joiners(this is 2 rail not 3).

I have 2 other 4 and 5 engine mu's on my 3 rail layout. Let me know if you want me to track signal those.

 Good morning

Doesn't make any sense to check a signal standing still, Like checking performance of a car parked !

I always try to take readings at around 10 scale MPH, I have to agree that a signal reading stopped doesn't really tell me much.  Before you go checking signal strengths, you should clean the wheels and pickups, and also the track.  Those are key factors in signal strength.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I always try to take readings at around 10 scale MPH, I have to agree that a signal reading stopped doesn't really tell me much.  Before you go checking signal strengths, you should clean the wheels and pickups, and also the track.  Those are key factors in signal strength.

Sound advice from GRJ... although i haven't cleaned my track in over a year. I am in the "challenge the DCS signal" vs dirty track mode.

Good advice thank you

OK....... new question. I have my program track all set up and using tethered remote, separate TIU, separate power, Toggled off siding, toggled on separate DCS, Both TIU's, the layout and Program track are #1.   Can both TIU's have power going to them at same time? 

Clem

clem k posted:

Good advice thank you

OK....... new question. I have my program track all set up and using tethered remote, separate TIU, separate power, Toggled off siding, toggled on separate DCS, Both TIU's, the layout and Program track are #1.   Can both TIU's have power going to them at same time? 

Clem

YES....because the remote can only talk to the tiu it's tethered too.

  By the way you may get a few errors at first but cycling tiu power will fix that... I'm referring to the tiu the remote is tethered with.

GREGG.............Thank you.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I always try to take readings at around 10 scale MPH, I have to agree that a signal reading stopped doesn't really tell me much.  Before you go checking signal strengths, you should clean the wheels and pickups, and also the track.  Those are key factors in signal strength.

Thought I read in The Book Of Barry the signal strength test should be conducted with the locomotive stationary.

Well, we may have to agree to disagree on that point.  While I see the value of a stationary reading, when you're actually operating, your locomotive isn't going to be stationary.

Kerrigan,

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

I was going to post my comments, but decided to delete them.

Good evening

Clem

There's good value in a stationary engine reporting how strong the signal is in any given block. Of course it's more valuable to do this in all areas. So Barry's comment is right on to help eliminate other factors. Just do it in more than one spot. I would say at both ends of a block and in the middle.

 There was some logic to playing music threw the engine while running around the track. It would distort in bad areas of weak signal. The music carries a lot of info. I never see that posted anymore?

Where's Jamie?

Well i had my four unit lash-up doing just fine all day.   Now none of the sound settings are right!! and it was the only train on a powered track when I started it.  But nothings wrong, I have perfect 10 everywhere !!

So everything A OK except member engine volume levels change?

Willygee so far,    Haven't tried smoke yet.   but the one ongoing problem is after its all set if I change the volume level with keypad 2 or 5 only the lead engine changes,   or if I keypad  sound off than sounds are really messed up, or so it seems.     To me the right way is when I get a new engine and set it the way I like, it should never change. until I want to.  something slips I have to select each engine and set it all over again. Then when I breakdown the MU have to change again PIA.    I wear out more thumb wheels programing, then I do operating.

I'm back to   sell everything off I want out of here

Clem

You are right. FWIW i stay clear of the ENG SND and READ buttons. My 2/ VOL+ and 5/. VOL- buttons work w/all member engines and yours do not. I wonder if this a 5.0 bug (i am still 4.2).

Sidenote..one handy feature i like is if all 15 of my engines are sitting idling with sounds and lets say for example the phone rings and i need quiet, i hit "eng all" and the DOPPLER button. All quiet

Edit...try your luck again but do not use ENG SND button...use only the 2 and 5 and see what happens.

Good morning........Ya Willygee I'll try again. I think your right it is a 5.0 issue.  I took all four of my remotes apart yesterday and two of them had loose boards, the one I use may have been loose but I didn't notice it, no change. Started cleaning all my locomotive  wheels also. The track is kept up better.  

What I do notice about PS3 is that they are more prone to missing the watchdog and have more stalling problems on my big Ross turnouts (ground issue, not rollers). and they don't coast to a stop smooth, like they don't have flywheels, have to keep the deceleration set really low, witch makes switching harder. I wonder if anything will improve with the release of the WIFI App?  Seems like every time there is an update I loose more than I gain. My computer is the same way, any updates will not make anything better for me. I'll just keep on trying.

If anybody wanted the whole thing, I would sell. 

Clem

Remote service is good. If you get a chance pop the 6 screws off your TIU, check the board that it is seated... and.....ck the nuts at the channel inputs and outputs.

clem k posted:

If anybody wanted the whole thing, I would sell.

Depends on the price Clem, make it cheap enough and it'll sell.