Unable to add new PS2 engine

Rick first off are you trying to add it with other engines on the track? Also is it a brand new engine or just new to you? Next what version of software on the TIU/Remote are you running? If the latest have you tried the Recover Engine feature? Do you have any lashups in the remote that it could have the same number as?

I went back to basics. I put the locomotive on a section of Lionel tubular track, attached a Lionel lockon and connected the output of one handle of my Z4000 to the track. I also put a lighted caboose on the track to make sure there was power. I applied 18V to the track, the caboose lit up but alas, the locomotive did not even power up, light up let alone move. I tried reversing the AC leads to the lockon but no luck. It seems the locomotive is DOA even in conventional.

Now I purchased this from a well-known authorized dealer so I'm ok on that end. But this is my first experience with a total brand-new out-of box failure and it's rather disappointing. Doesn't anyone test these before they're shipped?

Rather than return the locomotive I like to try some simple troubleshooting. So if anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Thanks,

Rick

Check the 3-2 switch setting. Cycle it a few times to 3-rail.

Gary, you're a genius. That was it. The sounds of the opposed-piston FM reverberate in my basement. Thank you. The forum is great!

Rick

I am having the same problem with an MTH PS-2 conversion engine.  Is the 3-2 switch on your engine or is it found on the DCS remote controller?

Is the 3-2 switch on your engine or is it found on the DCS remote controller?

It's on the engine, assuming that the engine has a 3 Rail/2 Rail switch. Read the manual that came with the engine to find out if it has one and, if it does, where it is.

The PS-2 conversion kit does not come with a 3-2 rail switch, if yours was an upgrade to PS-2 you don't have it and have some other problem.

Thanks Barry & Golfer,  I really appreciate your advice .  I have confirmed that the engine does not have a 2/3 switch.

 

The engine in question, MTH PRR 4-4-2 20-3038-1 #1600 is a little jewel that I bought used.  The PS2 conversion looks like it was nicely done with the exception that the battery holder in the tender was installed with the opening facing in so that it is necessary to remove the control boards from the tender floor to get at the battery.  I have solved that problem by installing a BRC that is working well.  The engine runs like a little champ on a conventional loop.  Great smoke, sound, all lights, etc.

 

I suspect that the reason the DCS can't find it may not be the battery, but because it may have been run in the past on a DCS layout and has a unique ID that I cannot decipher.  I have followed Barry's advice and made sure that is not in my DCS.  I guess my next step is to try and reset it using the Whistle, Bell, Bell, Bell, Bell, Bell exercise.  Should I do this on the conventional loop or on the DCS loop?

 I guess my next step is to try and reset it using the Whistle, Bell, Bell, Bell, Bell, Bell exercise

That's unlikely to help, since a transformer reset is a Feature Reset rather than a Facory Reset.

 

What exactly is the problem with the engine? Please provide all of the symptoms of the problem.

Chuck,

 

First, try turning off the DCS signal and see if it will run in conventional mode:

Menu/System/DCS Setup and then soft key AOF to turn off the DCS signal on all channels. (To turn the DCS signal back on use soft key AON)

 

Make sure that the other engines are not getting power and see if you can operate this engine conventionally.

 

If it works conventionally, try a Recover Engiine:

Menu/System/Engine Setup/Recover Engine

 

Make sure that this engine is the only one drawing power and that it's on a track connected to TIU #1. I suggest a test track connected directly to Fixed #1Out.

Have you tried the RECOVER ENGINE feature described on page 169 of Barrys' book?

Thanks, guys

 

Its way past my bedtime.  I will follow your instructions tomorrow and let you know.

 

Chuck

Hi guys,

 

Well, no good news to report.  Following Barry's instructions, I did the following:

1.  Turned off the DCS signal to all channels (AOF).

2.  Put the engine on the DCS track (connected to TIU 1.  I only have 1 TIU,  and Fixed 1 out) and ran it conventionally.  It ran fine.

3.  Turned the DCS signal back on (AON).  Tried to run conventionally.  It would not.

4.  Ran the Recover Engine.  The remote indicated that the engine had been     recovered.

5. Turned off the track power.

6. Turned back on the track power and tried to add MTH engine.  Got the error. No engine to add.

 

Sooo. I guess I should take the engine to a train doctor, unless I choose to run it conventionally forever.  Actually I would like to have the PS2 smoke on/off feature very much.  Hope I did this all right.

 

Chuck

 

Chuck,

 

You stated in step 5, you turned off the track power, did you also turn the TIU off and then on again, then attempt to re-add the engine.

Charge the battery overnight and try to recover and then add the engine again.

 

If the battery wasn't fully charged, the Recover Engine won't "stick" and the engine will once again have its old out-of-useable-range DCS ID#.

This time when you do the recover engine if it tells you that engine was recovered then go to add engine and try without cutting the power after recover engine. Since you stated that it said engine was recovered the first time, then you cut power, if the battery/BCR or the charging circuit is bad as Barry stated it would go back to it's out of range ID as soon as the power was cut. By not cutting the power it will give me a more to troubleshoot with. Your engine is from 2000 which makes the battery the 9V type and 12 years old. Since you stated that you had problem getting the battery out you may have broken a wire in the battery connector itself (common occurrence), or the charging circuit could have been damaged before you purchased it. I do not attempt to remove a battery in a 5V system with the battery connector still attached.

I followed your instructions. battery was up,  and this time I got a No Engine to recover.  My train room is rather dark and I wouldn't swear that I didn't get this message the first time and misread it.  In any event, it looks like this engine is just not going to respond to a specific DCS signal, except to recognize that it is on an active DCS track.

 

Thanks for your patience.