TIU Not Responding

Thanks for the response.  The TIU doesn't light up, blink or anything.  The bottom doesn't appear to be scorched either.  I thought I knew everything about using DCS, but it appears I'm a dunce when it comes to fixing a problem.  I'm going to Radio Shack to get make a fuse between the transformer and the new TIU.

If there is no burn mark on the bottom of the board, there's probably hope for it.  Perhaps the board power supply has had a failure.  Also, try powering it from the aux power jack.

mrmuggs,

   J while you are at Radio shack, pick up the Raido Shack power pack to run your DCS TIU, remember to get the adaptor for connecting the power pack to the TIU.

I totally agree with John on this, never waste a good transformer and TIU out let

to power your TIU, there are other good reasons to use the power pack also, all explained in Barry's book.

PCRR/Dave

I agree, try an aux power supply to see if you can get the red led to light up... An Lionel command base power adapt or will turn on a tiu. Not the best but good enough for testing. If you get the tiu to   light  up one of the other channels might work.

I have an original with the smoked trace, it disabled variable #1, but the other three channels still work. 

GunrunnerJohn, I tried the aux power jack a couple of days ago, but still nothing.  No light.  I'm away from the TIU today, but will be able to get a try at it tomorrow.  The Radio Shack in my town is tiny, Dave, so may have to wait to get the power pack this weekend.  And, Gregg, thanks for the suggestion of the Lionel command base.  I'll try the Legacy idea tomorrow, too. 

The power connector that you use for the aux has to fit properly, or it won't power the TIU.  The Legacy P/S connector does fit properly and lights up my TIU.

If no light there are voltages that can be check on the TIU power section and some components that can be replaced.   Best to give to a MTH Tech.  G

There's just so much stuff there it takes a ton of reading to get through all of it!

What Barry ought to do is a "DCS For Dummies" short version

There's a lot of info in there, but a lot of it is not needed to get a train moving and can be read at a later date.  I have yet to have a "want" to run a "lashup" of 2 or more engines, so I don't read that part.  I don't have a Z4000 or Commander, so I don't bother reading those parts.

The main "problem" I have with Barry's book is I read too much into what he has written, just need to take it literally and things come into focus.  Combined with the help we get here on the forum it can't be beat.

Erie Lackawanna:  The optimal approach is to install a breaker, rated at no more than 10 amps, between transformer and each TIU input.  In the long run a breaker is cheaper than buying fuses every time there is a derailment. One can blow a lot of fuses trying to find a hidden or multiple derailment.  There is no need for any fuses or breakers on the output side, when the input side is protected, and by using a 10-amp fuse/breaker (which is about the ampacity limit of a TIU anyway), the internal fuse should never blow. 

Bob,

    That would be DCS for Dummies Short Version excerpts Vol #1.

Nothing wrong with that, Barry could make more money, and the guys & gals would have a begginers DCS version to get started with.  The book is already there, Barry could just Yellow High Light areas for the publisher to excerpt into a new book.  Man I like the name also,  Bob that is way cool.  Course then everyone would want a Legacy/TMCC add on version also.

PCRR/Dave

1. My TIU (2011) fuse has never blown; I originally installed a 10-amp fast-acting fuse at the ZW output line. 2. Is it reasonably safe to buy used TIUs? I want to expand my DCS to other tracks. Is an additional TIU the only way? Thanks.

Wally

Wally, depends on what TIU circuits you're now using,  how much trackage is on each, and how many trains you operate on a circuit.

Wally,

    Unless I know who owned the TIU and that it is proper working order I recommend

purchasing from a recognized dealer.  You want the guarantee that comes with the DCS. Now if one of the certified Techs here on the forum is nice enough to sell you some of his personal equipment, that is a completely different matter.  What many people fail to realize is that set up properly with different transformers one TIU can run many different blocks.  I only used one TIU for my fairly large DCS FasTrack layout, and it ran perfectly and my TIU is older and needs the magic lights.

You may simply need another transformer and the proper set up.

However if you want another TIU you can go that way also.

PCRR/Dave

One TIU with multipule transformers is all I ever used.

I don't see the difference from buying a used train with electronics.  You just need to ask that the owner verify that all channels works as designed.   Pretty much like buying anything used.   G

GGG,

    The difference is, if the unit goes bad soon after you purchase you have no replacement guarantee.  I have returned both a TIU and AIU NIB after running them for about 10 days, the equipment just plain failed, DCS electrical gear I want the replacement guarantee with.  Course I am not big on purchasing P2 or P3 engines used either.

PCRR/Dave

Wally, figure each of the 4 TIU circuits can handle 10 amps.  If you have each input fused or breakered for 10 amps or less, you should be in no danger.  But do split the ground return across the 4 black circuits. 

My longest loop is 0.9 scale miles (according to PS2) and I do run 3 trains on it on occasion.  I have it on one TIU circuit, but once I had a problem with a cable feeding another loop and added the other to it temporarily.  Still worked perfectly.  I do use 6 circuits, chiefly because there were 6 circuits when my layout was built long before PS2.  I have no doubt that I could combine some.