I have put my foot into the deep end of DCS. I purchased a Rev L kit (brand new) and have been having a bit of fun playing with it and an early MTH P5a. Everything seems to work fine. However, this only works on one of the inputs. I can only get the TIU to power on by using Fix Voltage 1. If I run power through any of the the other terminals (individually), the TIU does not turn on (no red led and it cannot be found through the 'READ' button. I have not tried an external power supply and the track does receive power when I connect to Variable 2. It's only two weeks old. I have read that there are fuses inside which I have not checked yet. Should I check those or deal with it as a warranty issue? If so, do I go through MTH directly or contact the dealer? Thanks and stay tuned for more newbie DCS questions.
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it sounds it working normal you need aux to get voltage out of the tiu then power to the other terminals you need to use
Power to the TIU is via Fixed 1 input. If you power via the Aux power supply, fixed one can be off and the rest of the TIU will work. The TIU manual describes the Aux power. At the time we, (Fort Pitt High Railers) used a Radio Shack power supply, that worked, and still works well, though Radio Shack restructuring made the power supply we used difficult to find, IMO. MTH uses one of their smaller power supplies for the Aux power, not sure which one.
Bob,
If I run power through any of the the other terminals (individually), the TIU does not turn on (no red led and it cannot be found through the 'READ' button. I have not tried an external power supply and the track does receive power when I connect to Variable 2.
That's how the TIU is supposed to work.
In order to provide a DCS signal on any channel, a TIU must be receiving power via either the Aux. Power port (preferred) or Fixed Channel #1 Input. The USB port on a Rev. L TIU will also power the TIU, however, it will not power the DCS signal generators.
You might consider purchasing a copy of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition. You'll find it helpful in better understanding how DCS works and what are all of its capabilities..
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 re-read the manual and found (in small print) to use those connectors. Also watched the DVD for the first time and they explain it there as well. Thanks for the help. Back to breaking things the correct way.
The DCS Companion is well worth having if you operate a DCS system. Lots of good info there that is not in the manual.
BOBEQUUS,
I agree totally with RTR12 and Barry also, further another great video is the OGR Video Guide to DCS, great visual instructional information on the DCS especially when 1st getting started, Barry's book is the complete written Instructional DCS Bible, I definitely recommend owning both.
PCRR/Dave