Rev I vs Rev L TIU

John,

The Rev. L provides significant improvements as regards DCS signal strength over all previous hardware models, particularly when used with PS3 engines.

While all TIUs can be upgraded to the latest DCS software, older TIUs cannot have their hardware upgraded  to that of the Rev. L.

My advice is to only purchase a new Rev. L TIU, and only from an authorized MTH dealer so as to get a 1-year warrantee.

The DCS Remote, except for a more knurled thumbwheel on newer models, has not really changed at all since its earliest version. The software in any remote, of course,may be upgraded to the latest version of DCS.

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

CLICK HERE go to MTH's web page for the book!

Thanks! 

John,

I would strongly consider following Barry's advice. I was having all kinds of signal issues with my first Proto 3 engine and a pre Rev L TIU? After many attempts to improve the signal I bought a Rev L TIU and the difference was amazing. All functions worked better with both the Proto 2 and Proto 3 engines. I would spend the extra for the Rev L. Your sanity is worth the difference in price.

Good luck,

Ed Kaz

thank you gentlemen, that's all I really needed to know.

 and Barry your book is on my Christmas list

 your book is on my Christmas list

Buy it now and think of it as a belated Columbus Day present!

 I would not argue with Barry that the rev L is a great upgrade and should be preferred when available to purchase one. I have one myself and noticed a good deal better signal.

 I still have my older TIU in use and with the right filters it does very good at signal strength. I wouldn't throw it away as it works so well. I would buy another if the price was right.

 I use Barry's book as a guideline to tune my layout and get these great results.

very interesting information.

Have the Revision L issues been resolved fully? If so, what were the fixes.   Thanks,  Joe

One fix involves adding diode protection for the DCS output circuitry, I think it's in the latest version of the boards as well.  Yep, there is more than one version of the Rev. L boards, I have two different board layouts.

Thanks John.   Joe

how does this help?

Power input and conditioning

Most advanced/experienced users use well filtered DC power supplies. It does not seem that regulation is necessary. (Since the DCS system senses real motor rpm, then it can  "automatically" adapt to changing track voltages)

The DCS signal is, however, very susceptible to noise, more so than DCC, so many users use a rudimentary filter to help clean up the inevitable noise generated by the wiring of a layout. Many users put a small light bulb across the TIU output. If you are running 24 volts or less at the output of the TIU, a 28 volt lamp works fine.

One lamp that has been recommended is from Radio Shack, part number 272-1119, rated at 40 millamps at 28 volts. (This matches the specs for a #1819 lamp.

Another recommended bulb is an automotive #1873, rated at 200 milliamps at 28 volts.

It seems that a wide range of bulbs will work here. The "trick" that most people do not reailze is that the filament of the bulb is a tiny coil, i.e. an inductor, besides a current "drain". The inductive part can help filter noise from the signal. I also suspect that the constant load on the output may help somewhat, but that does not make much sense, since the load from a loco is far greater.

found it here;

mth dcs

In nearly all cases, light bulbs and filters are not needed with the Rev. L TIU.

Well I it seems this thread has taken on a life of it own... 

Oh well - I've actually learned quite a bit. 

Thanks to everyone who keeps educating me, especially Barry and John.

the cables for that printer used to be hooked up to a computer when a desk was in that spot.  the printer is not wifi it is a wired printer, the wires have been in that location for many years. the printer has since been moved and the only thing left are the wires, that pass by. 

how can something that worked for a few months all of the sudden start having issues?  if you look at the live feed on this link camera two you will see that two tracks are about a foot higher (near top of feed) then two other tracks and it is the top two tracks that are having the issues.

John Z.  Barry's comments are correct, but if I could get a Rev I (1) dirt cheap compared to a new Rev L and (2) from someone I knew well and (3) I had observed it working and (4) knew why he/she wanted to get rid of it and (5) had to save money, I'd go for it.

I would lean toward buying the Rev L even versus a bargain basement Rev I. This has helped me immensly as I have added Proto 3 engines. My own Rev I was in perfect working order but the signal stregnth was considerably better with the new Rev L even as I added a somewhat complicated yard. It is the heart of your digital system and, at least in my experience, was worth spending the extra money on and trying to save somewhere else.

Ed Kaz

I can't argue with those who vote for the latest.  But if the 5 conditiona I described are met and the added cost for an L would be prohibitive & keep one from going DCS, I'd go with the older model.  As for myself, if one of my Rev G's (original issue) or my Rev H were to fail and needed replacement, I'd go for an L.