I saw pictures of the new DCS Explorer and in the front of the unit it shows a 6 amp max for the power in. Does that mean the power supply you can use cannot be more than 6 amps?
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Yes, that’s correct.
Barry, would a mth z-1000 be too much? I can't find any info on line for their power supply that says what the amps are.
This is straight from MTH... "The DCS Explorer can be powered by any AC power supply (like the Z-1000 brick) and plugs right into a track lockon."
Some new pics up at MTH website - looks like a 5A fuse - but I guess thats trackside protection? Input says 6A for sure.
Wonder what the USB is for?
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Will it handle a 180 w power supply?
6 amp rating has nothing to do with the power supply. It's the max you can pass through the unit. A PH-180 can provide more than 6 amps, but you don't have to draw that much.
The 6A max rating on the input is just that, we don't support any supplies with higher current output. The MTH Z-1000 brick has a 6A breaker on the output and is the maximum input supported for the DCS Explorer.
The 5A fuse is there to try and protect the Explorer in the event someone, of course this would never, ever, happen, ignores the 6A input rating and puts an arc welder into it. There is a current sensing circuit that is very sensitive and fast but, with enough current, may not respond quickly enough. The 5A fuse is there as a last resort to save the device. If anyone is blowing the 5A fuse then, they should switch to a different or lower output supply. This would indicate a problem.
The max current output from the DCS Explorer is 5A. However, in model railroading, current draw varies significantly. Engines going around a curve can increase momentary current draws by half an amp or more. So, the practical steady state current draw is really closer to 4A or, so. When you get to that level and then increase speed on an engine from say 30 to 100 smph, the current sensing circuit may do it's job and shut down.
This is an entry level product intended for train sets and small beginner layouts. It is not a solution for O ga hobbyists. We have the WIU/TIU combination for you guys.
Will it operate in passive mode??
Casey,
No, it will not operate in Passive Mode. The WiFi radio requires that it always be powered.
Passive Mode would cause the Explorer to shutdown in the case of a derailment or if transformer power was otherwise interrupted.
Casey Jones2 posted:Will it operate in passive mode??
Unfortunately, the Explorer does not support passive mode. Unlike the aux power input on the TIU, the input power on the Explorer is also track power. Said differently, if you connect the Explorer passively, it will not even power up. If you connect supplies to the input and output, bad things can happen.
Well shoot...Reason I was asking about passive mode is for the battery powered installs in large scale. Right now I have to strip & stuff a TIU & WIU into say a boxcar or baggage car. The Explorer would have been great for these installs but a 4 amp continuous load rating limit is kinda discerning.
The guys that I deal with have some huge outdoor layouts that in no way can be track powered as we're talking 1,000's of feet of aluminum track...Battery power is the norm.
For 1000's of feet of track, I think he can afford the full DCS to run the train. 
gunrunnerjohn posted:For 1000's of feet of track, I think he can afford the full DCS to run the train.
You miss the point, the track is not powered. The G scale carries the batteries and therefor has to have the TIU also, plus WIU if using that too. G scale guys have been asking for a smaller single channel TIU for a while. G
Well... yes. I'd be looking at some other solution I suspect. 
The other solutions don't compare to a PS2 or 3 equipped loco. The costs are double or triple and nothing can really compare to ProtoSounds smoke output...or sounds.
Another point is I can take 2 of the exact same type of locomotive, PS2 or 3 one of them, DCC the other and the Protosounds one will draw half the amps of the DCC version. I've seen that many times over the years. The DCC decoders will run warm if not hot (there's a reason why DCC decoder install directions say keep away from plastic components) while the DCS decoder locos run nice & cool. DCS PS2 & 3 decoders are the most power efficient design I've ever seen....Heck the QSI Titans need a small fan blowing on them??!!
If you're taking the DCS Explorer on the ride with you, why can't you power it with DC from the batteries and run it through the Explorer? It's probably small enough to hide in a tender or trailing car, especially if you take it out of the enclosure.
I am going to look into this ... I noticed it's not available yet.
I sold my DCS Commander last year but this could be interesting for a xmas layout.
I assume the free app MTH DCS will work so others can download and run the train.
Casey Jones2 posted:The other solutions don't compare to a PS2 or 3 equipped loco. The costs are double or triple and nothing can really compare to ProtoSounds smoke output...or sounds.
Another point is I can take 2 of the exact same type of locomotive, PS2 or 3 one of them, DCC the other and the Protosounds one will draw half the amps of the DCC version. I've seen that many times over the years. The DCC decoders will run warm if not hot (there's a reason why DCC decoder install directions say keep away from plastic components) while the DCS decoder locos run nice & cool. DCS PS2 & 3 decoders are the most power efficient design I've ever seen....Heck the QSI Titans need a small fan blowing on them??!!
I put 7 MTH dash 8s on the rails together. When I looked at the amps I believe it was at 2..... for all of them! (smoke turned off)
Watch the first few seconds as I press start up...
I kept having control issues creep in last year. It ended up from leaving the track down all winter with brass connectors. I swapped most out to stainless now and cleaned the rest (after 5 years). It's nice to test more often in conventional to see any problems.
If I didn't have all stainless, I would go battery! (and maybe Bluetooth?)
I assume the free app MTH DCS will work so others can download and run the train.
Yes, that's correct.
I have a about 110 feet of Fastrack, and feeder wires every 10 sections of track. Will I be able to run two MTH trains with the Explorer Wifi ?
You should be able to run two trains with 6 amps through the DCS Explorer as long as you don't have a lot of incandescent equipped lighted passenger cars.
John, I have 4 passenger cars with one diesel, and I think they're led lights.
I can't imagine any issues running those with two locomotives on a 6A Z1000 into the DCS Explorer, should be fine.
Thanks, John.
I'm liking this as an option for large scale.
Apart from Lash-ups and trolley stuff, what else is missing from the app?
Would this work behind a Large Scale PS2 Steam Engine like the Hudson? What would I miss out on?
Lash-ups won't be a problem if its a model with a master - slave board setup like an F7 / F3?
I bought one of these for my Christmas layout and plan to use a Z-750 brick for power. The z750 has a rated output of 21 VAC. Can I run Lionchief engines, like the Hogwart's at this voltage? Some of my TMCC owner's manuals say never exceed 18v, but the Lionchief engines don't have the same precautions. The layout is a simple folded figure 8, so it wouldn't be too tricky to swap power supplies, but I'd prefer to use just the MTH brick if possible.
I would not run any Lionel stuff at more than 19 VAC. You may get away with it, but I sure wouldn't recommend it.
Thanks, I'll switch out power supplies if I switch locos.
Will the dcs explorer work for Lionel legacy S Gauge engines? And if so what would be needed to make it all work.... thanks for any input
It shouldn't be any different than the full DCS as far as operating the engines. You just need the Explorer and a transformer, but don't forget the smart phone to operate it.
GRJ,
I thought since the DCS Explorer only works with the free functions in the app, you couldn’t. Doesn’t the control of TMCC/Legacy require the Premium functions in the app? Is it because he is running S gauge?
Mark W
Smoothdogjake posted:Will the dcs explorer work for Lionel legacy S Gauge engines? And if so what would be needed to make it all work.... thanks for any input
No it will not. The DCS Explorer will only control PS2 or PS3 locomotives.
Sorry, I missed the "Legacy", I thought we were still talking about DCS here. 
The DCS Explorer clearly will NOT work with Lionel Legacy locomotives!
