PS 3.0 Locomotive looses ID number ( I think)

Does you engine keep the sound on after you cut the track power? the engine sounds should continue for about 10 seconds or so.  This will confirm what the problem might be - bad super capacitors.

Yes continues after a while

On the test track program it and do basic operation test.  Then shut power off.  After waiting about 60 sec can it be found on your test track?  If not, it is an engine super cap if PS-3.  If PS-2 it is a bad battery or bad battery circuit on the boards.  G

Programmed on test track. Shut power, waited 15 minutes.

brought power on and I was able to find it on test track.

Seems to operate ok on small track received commands ok.

It is PS 3.0

Time to return to retailer.

It is odd that it does that, but moved to layout with same TIU and it can not see it.  G

maybe either lower signal on track or because of tender's wire routing?

Might be right on the edge and needs strong signal?

I dunno G!

What's the signal strength on the test track with this engine?

Signal strength on test track was 10.

Signal test on mainline was 9, albeit a different locomotive.

Layout not that large.

issues ranged from ‘ no engine on track, maintenance message, screeching sounds, continuous whistle ‘ all without using tiu. Sometimes sound, sometimes no sound.

I tested 3 other MTH locomotives separately on same span of mainline and no issue with locos being recognized. All were deleted from TIU and then readded, no problem. Two were PS 2 and one a new PS 3.

In any event Unit has been returned to retailer for repair or refund.

thanks for the answer. I'd bet it's a PS3 wire placement issue, but it could be more. I just follow along to either help or learn more.

I have had engines with what I describe as a weak board. Most PS2 have latter proved to be some issue that was battery related. One board seemed weak but did better when placed into a different engine. Never established exactly why.

I've had nearly 100 MTH engines now, over the years. Just a few were troubled. Most of them were used and/or had a tough history.

These experiences make me forget I'm not a tech.

What year was this locomotive produced ?   Make sure all ROLLER PICKUPS  ,   WHEELS , and  CONECTIONS to the tender are clean .   Check continuity at all ends for good ground and positive flow, 

Good luck Al.

@Engineer-Joe posted:

thanks for the answer. I'd bet it's a PS3 wire placement issue, but it could be more. I just follow along to either help or learn more.

I have had engines with what I describe as a weak board. Most PS2 have latter proved to be some issue that was battery related. One board seemed weak but did better when placed into a different engine. Never established exactly why.

I've had nearly 100 MTH engines now, over the years. Just a few were troubled. Most of them were used and/or had a tough history.

These experiences make me forget I'm not a tech.

I can't help but wonder if the engine retained the ID and the title of this post is not correct. It held the address at least once on the test track.

It sounds like the engine is not receiving signal. The engine should be tested to see if it retains the address setting on the board.

There are posts here on the forum about wire routing and other issues that can affect the signal strength. A broken charging system could be the root and the board would revert to the last address.

I hope there's a post resolving what happened here.

Locomotive is new , recent custom run of THB 0-6-0, Wonderful model. It has been received back at retailer who is also a MTH service agent. Awaiting diagnosis.

I checked everything that I could think of, albeit I just like operating not diagnosing and fixing. lol

Will update post when resolved.

I have a similar if not same problem with the new USRA 0-6-0 steam switcher 30-1844-1. It runs fine all commands work until I place another locomotive on the track. Then I get engine not found. Similar to Al B's problem. I have 12 other locomotives and they all work fine. This one does not play well with others

I always read the comments about the train control issues to get an idea of what folks are dealing with in case I ever go that route.  But from my experience in electronics, it would seem that the ability to 'see' the track signal would be a big help.  Maybe one of those oscilloscope adapters for a laptop, if not the use of an old school o'scope would shed some light on things.  A look at the signals on the test track and then what it looks like on the layout track, may show up glitches, hums and other extraneous things that should not be there.  A short test track vs a layout, the layout is one big antenna picking up every beep, buzz, or bit of interference from lamp dimmers, small walwart supplies, battery chargers for flashlight and battery tools, and maybe some locos are just more susceptible to the racket.  Dimmers or speed controls for lamps and fans, along with low voltage halogen lamps and their power supply,  are some of the noisiest devices out there. and can reek havoc in situations where command data words are sent from one device to another.  Think of like the days when of your neighborhood CB operator running illegal power tore up your TV picture with lines, sound bars in the video and distorted speaker audio.  The same thing is dealt with now in the wire or rail sent data world.  And to enlighten, the same thing happens today with digital TV, but you think it is the through the air signal, cable, satellite, or internet when the picture pixelates or freezes, not considering an outside interference down the block.

Well , THB PS 3.0  steamer went back for tether replacement. Now able to add engine into remote on short program track. All features work great on program track. Shut down sounds good and can restart on program track.

I shut down everything , move to mainline and power everything , engine comes up on remote but no response to Start Up. Intermittent maintenance message  comes up and I reset as per Barry’s  book.

Power good, signal good, batteries in remote new.

TIU output feeds to program track and mainline section .Track is clean and no issue with any other MTH loco. Only loco on track.

Seems this loco will not retain its ID.

Anyone know what internal part may be causing issue, I don’t think PS 3.0 locos have internal batteries?

I’ll keep it as I live THB….. shelf Queen!

If still in warranty, send it back and ask for replacement, if it can’t be repaired.

@CALNNC posted:

I always read the comments about the train control issues to get an idea of what folks are dealing with in case I ever go that route.  But from my experience in electronics, it would seem that the ability to 'see' the track signal would be a big help.  Maybe one of those oscilloscope adapters for a laptop, if not the use of an old school o'scope would shed some light on things.

No problem to look at the DCS signal with a 'scope.  You need three things.

1. The oscilloscope.
2. A filter as shown below.
3. Power the track with a pure sine wave for the test.

Here's the filter for the track.  You can thank @Adrian! for the idea and the filter.

I cobbled one together on a perfboard.  I always meant to do a PCB layout, but I never got around to it.

There's also the TIU channel signal tester.

Power up the engine conventionally.  Turn off track power do sounds play shut down seq, or does it shutdown immediately?  If the latter you have a bad super cap or solder joint on the super cap.  G

The key thing you mention is. All other engines run fine and it performs as it should on the programming track. I had a programming track and never really needed it. Everything always added easily on the layout. Will any of your engines add on the layout itself ?  I’m guessing you are handling the engine from the programming track to the layout. Is the programming track on it’s own channel or is it wired as a block on the main layout ?  If it’s wired into the same channel as the layout. Is there any toggle switch involved to isolate them from one another ?

I’m guessing your getting an Engine Not on Track message when it’s on the main layout. If you place it back on the programming track. Does it respond and start up without re adding ?

Program track is isolated in its own TIU output.It sometimes responds , sometimes starts up conventional.

This  morning I disconnected TIU and replaced it  and remote with a back up set I had.

Slowly added the 4 connections I have to TIU( 1 for a seperate MTH monorail, 2 for two mainline tracks I have and 1 for program track)Tested each time before connections made.

Factory Reset TIU and remote , confirmed ID number in both, confirmed all outputs turned on.

I ensure TIU is on before applying full power to track.

Added in a few MTH units, mix of PS 2 and 3, no problem . Tried program track and main track.. all ok.Made sure other units were not on track.

However this THB unit does not like to play with others.

It is being returned.