Proper DSC procedure - powering up a siding

quote:

I am running DCS and have a number of sidings that are electrically isolated center rail via a SPST switch.

I am wondering what the correct procedure would be when I want to turn on one of the sidings and use a DCS engine on that siding.

Can I just turn on the power to the siding and will the loco come up in command mode? My concern is turning on the power and having the loco taking off at high speed.

Thanks,

Hi Ed,Yes you can just turn on the power to the siding and the engine will come up in conventional mode because the engine has missed the "watch dog signal which goes out each time the channel's voltage is raised from zero. however no need to worry, proto-2s start up in neutral in conventional. To get the engine back in command mode just press "start up" with the dcs remote..


I like to use a "master toggle" on the input side of the tiu which comes in handy especially with lash-ups. To start the engine(s) in command mode one would turn on the siding with the SPST toggle and then use the master toggle to turn the power off/on to the input side of the tiu. Out goes the watch dog signal. Works great, however if the channel has other mainline tracks and trains running on it, bad idea.

Gregg,

Thanks for the help. Can I assume that when I power up the siding the engine will start up in conventional and in Neutral ? I understand now that hitting the "startup" will put it in command mode. I am gun shy trying this stuff as I had one start up in forward and it took off at high speed and ending up taking a dive onto a concrete floor damaging the shell beyond repair.

Thanks for the info,
Ed

quote:

Can I assume that when I power up the siding the engine will start up in conventional and in Neutral ?

Yikes! I haven't had that happen with Mike's stuff although a double power interruption might cause it. I know Lionel engines in conventional mode start up in forward.

You raise a good point.. What if the engine was locked in forward for conventional running and you toggled on the siding the engine was parked on. I still don't think it would take off . I might try it later but hopefully some one will chime in.

Ed,
Barry discovered a procedure for starting up engines sitting on a siding. As long as the engine is in the ACTIVE list, you can make it come up silent without having to turn off the channel.

First scroll to the engine you want to start up (Has to be in ACTIVE list) the arrow on the screen should be pointing to the engine.

Next toggle on the power to the siding and immediately press the thumbwheel and the engine should come up silent and ready to start up. If the engine starts up, you'll have to turn the toggle off and try again.

You may have to practice a few times to get the timing right, but it works nice once mastered.


I use the READ often placing the engines in the INACTIVE list, but I think I could use an extra remote with all the engines in it left in the ACTIVE list and use it for bringing them up dark and silent if I thought it was necessary.

Joe,

quote:

As long as the engine is in the ACTIVE list, you can make it come up silent without having to turn off the channel.

Actually, the engine can be in the Active or Inactive list. It will work either way, and it also works for lashups!

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click here to go to the web page for the book.

Or click here to see my ad on the FOR SALE Forum.

Barry,
Oh, I thought it had to be in the ACTIVE to work. I'll have to try it again.....
Thanks

quote:

the engine can be in the Active or Inactive list

Barry,
You're Right. I tried it in the INACTIVE and it comes up silent and in the ACTIVE list.
One more press of the thumbwheel and it was ready to START UP. I didn't think it could be that easy.
That was a Great discovery, Barry.

I have relays controlled by the AIU to turn my tracks on and off. Any solution here other than to use two remotes?

Thanks,

Mike

Joe,

quote:

That was a Great discovery

I actually didn't realize it was a big deal, until I figured out that it also worked with lashups. That's when I "went public" with it, ands also added it to The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition on page 102.

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click here to go to the web page for the book.

Thank you all for the tips and info. I've been on the road for a awhile but will be getting home tomorrow and will be able to try this.

Barry - I always get a chuckle when you post something and you have the tag line "This and a whole lot more in the DCS Companion", etc, etc.

It reminds me of something in my favorite show The New Yankee Workshop with Norm Abrams. He has a tag that he uses after the intro that goes something like " And don't forget to read the instruction manual and to always use safety glasses whenever using, etc, etc.

Thanks,
Ed