Watchdog signal

Yes, An individual channel can go bad and require repair.  G

Chuck,

A few questions:

• Did this just start happening? If so, was there something that you recently did to the TIU or the layout?
• Are you operating in Normal TIU mode or in Super TIU mode?
• Are you saying that DCS engines come up with lights and sounds on this channel when power comes on, instead of dark and silent?
• Can you press STARTUP to get them into DCS mode or SHUTDOWN to make them quiet and dark?

Hi Barry:

1)  It started when I first introduced Proto3 engines to track 1 (1 of 4).

2)  I operate in Super mode always.

3)  Only my 3 Proto 3 engines come up with lights, sounds and eventually start    moving.  There is no affect on Proto 2 engines.

4)  They start up in conventional and; and yes I can start them up and get them into DCS mode and shut them down to quiet and dark.

Oddly enough, we have 3 TIUs that that this occurs on and it's all on Var. 1.  Two TIUs are Rev L and one is Rev. 13.  No mater which track we connect to the VAR. 1 channel to the 3 Proto 3 engines start up.  We now have 1 of the 3 TIUs back at MTH for a second time.  The tech said that there has been a reoccurring problem with the Var. 1 channel on some TIUs. 

We are dong our best to trace down the problem.  I honestly believe that we have eliminated track wiring as the culprit.  But I've been wrong before.

Thank  you,

Chuck 

Chuck,

That's odd. I was at MTH for PS3 school a few weeks ago and no mention was made of a Variable #! hardware issue on new or older TIUIs.

You could have a problem with Variable #1 on all 3 TIUs, however, it would be a bit of a stretch. Just for fun, try putting all of the TIUs into Normal TIU mode and see if things improve.

From this info, you clearly have the DCS signal coming out of VAR1 since you can control the engines.  Since this only effects your 3 PS-3 engines, it must be some sensitivity issue.  G

When we receive the TIU back from MTH I may have more to add to this topic.  Until then I'll keep my engines off track 1.

Thanks to all of you who have offered up suggestions and info.

Chuck

Sometimes it is so difficult to put into words that clearly explain what we are doing to track down the problem with P3 engines starting up on track 1 when the power is applied.

1) Prior to receiving the TIU back from MTH, Dick called me as I requested he do.  Dick said he could not find anything wrong with our TIU and that it preformed as it should with both P2 & P3 engines.  He could not replicate our findings.

2) The TIU arrived today back from MTH.  Before putting it back on line we substituted another TIU we have in it's place.  With 3 P3 engines setting on Track 1, power was applied and within 10 seconds, 2 of the 3 P3 engines started up.  

3)  We removed the test TIU and replaced it with the one we just got back from MTH.  With the same 3 P3 engines setting on track  we applied power to the track.  The 2 P3 engines that had always started up before sat silent. (as they should)  When I hit start up on my hand held all 3 P3 engines started up with out hesitation.  I did this several times.  No change.

4)  As I stated earlier, Dick said he couldn't find anything wrong with the TIU.  Maybe unknowingly he did something to correct the problem.  I'm going to call Dick and give him an update.  If all continues to work well on track 1 then I can only assume that the 3 remaining TIUs have issues with Var.1.  I'll seek Dick's advice on sending the others back for him to check out.

Time will tell.

Chuck, I don't think I understand the problem you're having.  Are you saying that some PS3 locos startup on their own? 

You may not be aware that late model PS3 locos have a change, in that when they're sitting shut down, if you select that loco and then move the thumbwheel, the loco goes through the startup procedure and then starts moving

Hi RJR:

That isn't a problem.  That is a feature.  The problem we have been having is the P3 engines starting up when power is applied to the track via var 1.

Chuck, I don't have the vaguest idea what could be the cause.  Sorry. I'll bow out on this one.