ps2 issues

You can't really run Legacy or TMCC without buying more equipment.  Specifically, you'll have to buy at least a Lionel BASE1 and connect it to the serial port on the TIU.  With that, you can run TMCC and Legacy locomotives in TMCC mode but without all the Legacy enhancements.

To run Legacy locomotives with all the whistles & bells, you need the Legacy CAB2/BASE.

You need to start posting the engine model number and type (steam or diesel) and system if you know it (PS-2 5V or 3V) if you need help.  It makes a difference in troubleshooting.  G

Hi 1drummer,

You say the has sounds and will respond to the DCS remote.  Do you have to press the start-up button(#3 on the remote) to turn on the sounds, or do they come on with track power?  What you have described would be normal for an engine that did not see the "watch dog" signal when track power was first applied.

Dave, I may have misread, but it seems he implies all DCS functions work but motion.  So that is not an issue with lack of watchdog signal.  He also says it takes off in conventional.  Of course he later has a contradiction in saying it will run in DCS.  So we need to define run, and more specific info is needed to help isolate this one.  Steam or diesel to start.

Obviously he should try a factory/feature reset.

I think he might be saying he can blow the whistle, change direction, turn smoke on/off, etc., but the engine won't move with speed commands.  That's exactly what happens when an engine doesn't see the watchdog signal and starts up in conventional mode.  You can do everything with the DCS remote except make it move.  A lot of people miss the detail that you still have to press "start-up" even though sounds and lights are on.

 If the engine comes up in conventional mode it is sitting there in neutral before forward. If you then go into the softkey list and hit "conventional mode" the engine treats it just as if you cycled the track power and entered forward (with full track voltage).  The engine takes off at full speed.  When he says he puts it back in DCS mode I think he might be doing the power-up cycle in the correct order and the engine comes up in command mode.  The description of switching to a different engine and then coming back to the first sounds to me like a conventional operator parking the engine on a toggled track and then coming back to it later and flipping a toggle switch back on.  

 Agreed.  We'll just have to wait for 1drummer to fill in some more details.  A feature rest sure couldn't hurt, but I suspect we have a more basic issue of understanding command control.

Dave,  Thanks for your insight.  I have not seen an engine missing the watch dog operate all those other functions.  Interesting.  I have seen engines toggled on a track with DCS not respond until track power was recycled.  G

Ok more info..I will add/yes no for things I am unsure of...

1 diesel  2 steam all PS2   ( I have a loco sound and a P1(protosound) whatever...and I am not confused by which is which...

I do not have a "program track" just a little "switching table"

So I have to put engines on 1 at a time to set up  Yes /no

I can add engines..and they have all sounds, even soft keys and PFA(9)

I access "conventional" via the "more" button and, as stated, engine runs and is hard to stop..I have to click thumbwheel and reselect to "Command" and then "dir" to get zero mph, then engine slows down, eventually...

Then I can run engine in command...

Also, the PFA(9) button...

select, press "dir" 3 times..get various "talking" after pressing "dir" each time..bell clangs, engine moves..but I have no control...unless I press PFA(9) while engine is moving...so Should not press PFA(9) unless engine is already moving  Yes/NO

I have reset engines  to Factory which bypasses "reset functions" Yes/NO

Also in some instances last night, "BAT" appears on DCS remote..what is that? remote batteries or engine?

On a side note I was able to complete cutting the "flex metal stud" to the sizes for 2-42" radius  and 4-31" radius

There are "bands" that run along the sides which "construction" guys( of which I am affiliated as a Low Voltage Systems installer)  use "Tech screws"( some call them "plaster lath screws-they have a larger head..like a washer already installed) to lock the stud into the shape or arc they desire...after screwing the Real trax down with 1" drywall screws it is extremely firm..I plan to use small shelving brackets to support MDF for the straight run and these "curves" for my "Around the walls main line" it is extremely temporary due to the possibility we may be moving...I will use 36"? Gargraves track to eat up distance..I got almost 75 "pristine" pieces for $25...and about 40 "Used" 

I plan on having a dual main leaving the "South yard" for about 30 feet....

I like to have a train "looping" and 2 "fiddle yards"(north and south) to "build"consists and make "milk runs" between...

I will use my PS1? and Loco Sound for the yards, with my P2 Diesel for the milk runs and my 2-P2 Steam for "loops"

Here is a bunch of info...

hope it helps lol

It runs in DCS after I do the daredevil routine with "conventional/command..and I did the factory reset..see my latest post for clarification...thanks for looking

I have DCC in HO..The concept of DCS "basics" I get...lol...

I'm not trying to sound condescending, but it would really help if you could type your posts in complete sentences.  Short hand that lacks punctuation and capitalization is very difficult to read and interpret.  I'm sure it all makes sense to you as you're typing, but much of the context of your thought process is lost.  The better we understand the problem the easier it is to help you solve.

Actually, that helps me to understand your issues a bit better.  DCS actually works quite differently "under the hood" than DCC.  DCC communications are strictly one-way.  Commands go out and nothing ever comes back to the remote (Cab).  In DCS, communications are two-way.  Virtually every command sent to a locomotive requires an acknowledgement to be sent back to the remote.

Most DCC engines don't have the the kind of start-up and shut down commands that PS2 engines have.  This is not just a volume setting.  Just because the sounds and lights have come on on a PS2 engine does not necessarily mean the engine has be "started."  For a locomotive to move in response to speed commands from the remote it must be told by DCS to enter command mode.  To enter command mode the engine must see the watch dog signal when power is first applied or "start-up" (3) must be pressed.

drummer, you may want to pick up the instructions and read some.  It will fill in the blanks.  They can be found on MTH website if you don't have a hard copy.  G

I have the DCs manual that came with the DCS remote and TUI and I have Barrys book...

I write in an attempt to keep post short and impart facts..comes from being a "troubleshooter" in the Tech world..sorry did not mean to make it difficult...

I get the under the hood difference.. I just want to control my trains without having to play daredevil with them..A train at full speed on a short track that I cannot stop scares me...and when I am attempting to STOP my train..there seems to be ZERO COMMUNICATION LOL

These batteries in the remote are only 4 days old..is that normal use?  maybe 10 hours of use total...and the "switching table" is only 4 tracks 3 turnouts and 8 feet long..

and each leg has a power connection..2 home runs...16Ga Thhn...

PFA(9)  page 30 in DCS operators manual 5th edition..

PFA (9):

press the PFA button again to turn the feature off

So running PFA(9) from a stopped position does not respond at all like this. It takes off and the MPH=0  and I have no control....Obviously I will not run from a stopped position..is a warning addendum in order?

is this my DCS/TIU acting normal  or another issue?

I appreciate all the replies....Thanks keep em coming..

I do not want to be an "expert" an "EX" is a has been and  a "spert" is a drip under pressure...

Hi 1 drummer,

Right now you should focus on getting the engine to move after powering up the layout.  The issues with PFA can be tackled later.  It is distinctly possible that you are having severe track signal problems which could be causing much of the odd behavior.  Your best bet will be to focus on start-up and basic locomotive control before getting into greater detail.

Try the following...

1. Turn off all track power.
2. Place an engine that has been loaded into the remote onto any area of your layout controlled by TIU Fixed Channel 1.
3. Turn on track power to TIU Fixed Channel 1.  ** NOTE**  The engine should remain silent. If sounds come on with power you have insufficient signal quality.
4. Select the locomotive in the DCS remote.
5. Press the start-up button (3).
6. If the locomotive remained silent at step 3 and the sounds came on at step 5, try sending a speed command.

Report back exactly what response you get including any error messages that appear in the DCS remote.

my layout at this time consists of 3 turnouts..and 1 30 inch piece of track at each end..just for moving rains back and forth...the test states that signal is 10...I will attempt what you recommend..to see what happens...

Both these steam engines were bought used..the diesel is brand new..

all have the same issues...

is it possible the TIU has issues?

Yes, it is possible that the TIU has a problem, but highly unlikely.  Since the track signal test returned 10's that's a good indication that the remote, TIU, and locomotive are all in good working order and communicating well.  It also increases the likelihood that this is an order-of-operations issue.