PS3.0 steamers programmed in lashup, but they come up individually

Hi Paul I also have these Lash-up problems and also PS3 starting in conventional and taking off at full speed, seems like all my PS2 behave.

Clem 

Paul,

Some later PS3 steamers, I've found, will come up in conventional mode if power is applied by ramping it up too slowly. However, a simple Shut Down should put each into DCS mode, dark and silent.

To startup your lashup without any issues, I suggest the following:

• Use either TIU Tracks or Z4K Tracks to control your TIU channels. Then, configure these tracks so that upon turning up the thumbwheel, the track voltage goes directly to your preferred DCS operating voltage, typically 18 volts.
• Then, select the lashup and press Startup.

Alternatively, keep the lashup on a siding that's controlled by a toggle switch and proceed as follows:

• Highlight the lashup in the DCS engine list, either the Active list or the Inactive list.
• Flip on the toggle switch and then quickly press the thumbwheel.
• Then, if the engine went from the Inactive list to the Active list, select it again and press the thumbwheel.
• Last, press Startup.

Either method works every time for me, with steamer lashups that are all PS3, or mixed PS2 and PS3. It's all in the book!  

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!

Thanks for the help Barry and Clem. Will mess around this weekend.

It works. That is, when I raise the Z-4000 handle super fast - I mean super fast - and press startup right away, the lashup came up as a lashup. Thanks again, Barry.

fwiw, the underlying issue with the newer PS3.0 engines is that they come up without being addressed. This is a fundamental problem and one that basic command control technology is supposed to take care of, i.e., it shouldn't happen.

I see some PS/3 locomotives come up in conventional mode with a immediate application of 18 volts to the track, it's not just when you bring up the power slowly.  The 44T I recently got does that about 50% of the time.

John, the PS3 engines, some and not all, seem to miss the watchdog. Somehow I suspect it's related to the current draw required for the super cap. Anyway, I wonder if your watchdog generator helps with this problem.

I can't say if that would make a difference, but it might.  I notice my 44T PS/3 misses the WD about half the time as a rule.  If it's been started up in the last few minutes, then it comes up dark, so I'm guessing you might be right about the supercap charge.

John, I have the same observation plus it is also a function of how many engines are on the circuit when powering up. This makes me suspect that the current draw is a player here. I don't know if it's the amps or the voltage drop that may be happening that causes the miss. I have some of the first PS3 engines and posted about this problem early on. 

Well, the 44T locomotive does that when it's the only thing on a power district, so it's not excessive power draw from the 180W transformer.  I suspect it's an internal issue.

John, in one of the early posts, Barry hinted that the output of the TIU might be in play here as well with the multiple units in the circuit. Having said all this, I have one PS3 engine that so far hasn't experienced this start up issue.

GRJ,

Is it possible to replace the super capacitor with "for shame" a rechargeable battery?

Is there a work around?   Start up each engine in dcs mode... create the lash-up..... I suppose one would have to delete and create again each time the layout is powered up. Not the best....

Gregg,

Is there a work around? 

The following from page 105 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition should do it:

If a lashup is powered on after the watchdog signal has come and gone, perhaps if its siding was toggled on after voltage appeared at the TIU channel outputs connected to its siding, there are two ways to put the lashup into DCS mode. One way to put the lashup into DCS mode is to turn off power to the inputs for the TIU channel that is connected to the track upon which the lashup resides, toggle on the siding and then re-apply power.The other way is to first highlight the lashup in the remote's Active or Inactive Engine list. Then, flip the toggle switch and immediately press the thumbwheel to select the lashup. It will come up in DCS stealth mode, dark and silent. This also works with individual DCS engines.

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 have been disappointed with the performance of my 44 tonner lashup due to irregular behavior referred to above.

It seems that MTH might cure this through a software change that would increase the duration of the watchdog signal so that PS3 engines don't miss it. What do you think?

That is why I asked John about his device. I was curious as well. His post ended up being a book, but I think the device puts out an extended watchdog.

My 44 toner exhibits the rabbit behavior when power is turned on in some areas of my layout.  Right now I do not have toggle switches for my sidings so everything turns on at once (15 MTH engines and three Lionel / Legacy engines).  On a couple of the sidings the 44 toner stays silent and on others it takes off on the application of power.  This is the only engine(Mix of PS2s and PS 3s) that exhibits this behavior.

Fwiw you're not alone with this experience. I have not experienced an engine taking off but mine do what I call a partial startup. This situation will vary with position on the layout as well. It would be nice if someone would take interest in finding the root cause of this and fix it. Maybe this post will give the issue some traction. My work around for this is to buy ps2 3v engines when I can. York will be here soon.

"PS3.0 steamers programmed in lashup, but they come up individually"..... LASHUP? No wonder Rich wants to retire. Don

GHD posted:

That is why I asked John about his device. I was curious as well. His post ended up being a book, but I think the device puts out an extended watchdog.

It's not really extended, it's constant or perpetual about every second for about one second. By 'book' I take it you have seen the original thread where it was designed and built so you know about it? Stan2004 posted a video of it in action.

It really is a neat little device that GRJ and Stan created. It works great on my switched sidings and spurs. I have all PS3 engines, but have not had any unwanted start up problems. I seldom do lashups so no problems there either. And I do not yet have a 44 tonner to try so no info on that. 

Here's the original thread.

Proposed Solution to DCS Watchdog in Yard Tracks (DCS-RC WD Gerber Files Added to First Post)

John, I see the thread is up to page 6. I got lost on the second page I think. It looks like a great invention. Did you by chance get to try the traction tire tools?

GHD posted:

Did you by chance get to try the traction tire tools?

Haven't actually needed to snake into a place where they'd be useful, but one of these days.