Track voltage on DCS remote

 The number on the remote is what the engine is seeing as far as voltage. You have to factor in. Gauge of wire, length of wire run as well as track joints. These factors will drop the voltage slightly from what your power supply is putting out.

What should you set the voltage to on the remote? When I first found this, all 4 tracks were set at 10.5 volts. The max is 22 volts.

First of all, if a variable channel is set to Fixed Mode, the voltage input will go straight through the channel and the output will be the same as the input voltage.

Second, if a variable channel is in variable mode (its default), the variable channel expects an input voltage of 22 volts.

If, when in variable mode, there is less than 22 volts coming in, the voltage showing on the screen will be higher than what actually is on the tracks. Conversely, if there is more than 22 volts coming in, the voltage showing on the screen will be lower than what actually is on the tracks.

If you ensure that 22 volts is coming into each variable channel and then use the thumbwheel to display 18 volts for either DCS or TMCC/Legacy operation, you should be fine.

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!

Thank you gentlemen!

Marc K,

   One other word of note, sense you have a Z4K, invest in the side receiver and run your Conventional Engines thru it, my old Conventional Engines have never run as smoothly as they are able to do, when using this mode, you have to use it to see what I am actually talking about.  The old engines run smooth as glass using this type of TR mode, MTH actually engineered something great with the side receiver, opens up even more options for running additional trains also.  Ya got to love some of this Z4K/DCS engineering package.  The great thing is Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion book explains in-depth how to set it up, and run with it.   Before Barry's book was released I tried to advise some of the people on how to use this side receiver set up, even though I am a darn good technical writer, it was tough to explain, Barry is a master technical writer and his step by step instructions in the book are probably the best I have ever seen.  He would have been a great Engineering Technical writer for our NASA Space Shuttle Engineering staff, his technical directions are that zero defect perfect.  Give the Z4K side receiver a try, you are going to love it.   Remember the original Williams Engines start out in FWD, so when using the thumb wheel on the DCS hand held remote to increase the voltage, go slowly or Jerry's Big powerful Engines will be flying down the tracks.

PCRR/Dave

The number on the remote is what the engine is seeing as far as voltage.

Not correct.  The remote, when TRK is pressed, shows the voltage hopefully being fed to the tracks, but only when 22 volts is being inputted, as Barry notes. To see what the loco is seeing, press the DTV softkey, which works with DCS locos only.

Thanks everyone!

Just to add to Dave's post above,

The Z4K tracks can operate the Z-4000 transformer, with the handles in the off position, to adjust the voltage going out on ALL  TIU channels including the Fixed channels to operate conventional engines. It makes it great to be able to walk around the layout without being tied to the transformer.

Joe,

   Thanks buddy, I should have included that, as part of the Z4K TR write up, and keep forgetting to include it.  Great way to expand the usage of your Z4K Transformer.

PCRR/Dave