Question on tiu variable channels 1 and 4

First, it's a"watchdog signal" and there's nothing ghostly about it.

Second, it isn't sent when the TIU itself is powered on. Rather, it's sent on a per channel basis, whenever the TIU is getting power for itself and the voltage at the output of a TIU channel changes from zero to any other value.

Third, each time the watchdog signal is sent on a TIU channel, it persists for 5 seconds.

Third, based on the above, each channel sends its own watchdog signal whenever it should.

No DCS engine will miss the watchdog signal unless it's on a track that is switched off when the channel to which it's connected is powered on.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

Barry,

Thanks for the info. I knew that Ghost signal was not the correct term as I had heard it called that at some point but it wouldn't come to my mind what the "tech" term was. I looked thru my copy of the DCS second edition and didn't run across where it stated that the watchdog signal would be sent out when each channel powered up. I thought that it might but wanted to know for sure...Thanks again

I looked thru my copy of the DCS second edition and didn't run across where it stated that the watchdog signal would be sent out when each channel powered up

From page 25 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:

The TIU sends out a watchdog signal whenever the output of a TIU channel changes from zero to any higher voltage.

I've been thinking about watchdog signals for a while.  I have a suggestion for MTH.

In a DCS remote software update, add the software to send a watchdog signal to all 4 outputs whenever the AUX button is pressed on the remote!

I think this would be a great use for an otherwise useless button.  If a better use comes along (which it hasn't, in how many years?) it could always be replaced.

Ed

eddiem,

   You know that is not a bad idea at all, however in the long run the TIU does the operation automatically any way.  I do agree with your idea however.

PCRR/Dave

I think it's a good idea as well. I'm thinking lash-ups  parked on toggled off sidings.

Gregg,

 I'm thinking lash-ups  parked on toggled off sidings.

I also agree that this would be an excellent idea!

However, in the mean time, there's an alternative for lashups that doesn't involve turning off track power. From page 102 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:

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 engine 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 engine in the remote's Active or Inactive Engine list. Then, flip the toggle switch and immediately press the thumbwheel to select the engine. It will come up in DCS stealth mode, dark and silent. This also works with individual PS2 engines.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!