What I want in the next generation of TIU's/DCS

A new remote.

Ability to reset the SMPH and chuff rate to the appropriate settings after loading a sound file from a different type of engine.

A built in watch signal generator or a fix so that I don’t need one and my engines don’t all start up when I add power to the tracks.

@Strap Hanger posted:

A built in watch signal generator or a fix so that I don’t need one and my engines don’t all start up when I add power to the tracks.

FWIW, if you turn the volume and smoke potentiometers down to the minimum, when you power on a track, the engine will only turn on it’s lights.  You can then shut it down with the remote, or put it in command mode by hitting startup.

@rplst8 posted:

FWIW, if you turn the volume and smoke potentiometers down to the minimum, when you power on a track, the engine will only turn on it’s lights.  You can then shut it down with the remote, or put it in command mode by hitting startup.

Thanks. Hitting TZV on the variable tracks and slowly increasing power also works, but all of this is a chore, particularly when you have multiple engines on powered sidings and tracks throughout the layout.  Gunrunnerjohn’s watchdog generator using the DCS commander seems to be the best solution, but my wish is for  the new tiu to fix this so I don’t have to deal with it all while keeping multiple engines on the tracks.

@Strap Hanger posted:

A built in watch signal generator or a fix so that I don’t need one and my engines don’t all start up when I add power to the tracks.

That's probably all I'd want. It would be helpful.

Since they've gone to wireless connection to smart devices, the ability to load new sound files without being physically connected to a PC. 

Seconding the watch signal generator.

@Dylan the Train Man posted:

A new remote.

One that has rechargeable battery's and a base to set it in......like my cordless phone has....

An easy access panel (no screws) for swapping out fuses and TVS diodes.

Maybe you should just hope the next one finally gets released. All good ideas though.

I'll second the new remote.

Dale

@MartyE posted:

Maybe you should just hope the next one finally gets released. All good ideas though.

No doubt in my mind it will get done. Dave Krebiehl was already working on these things when Mike announced his retirement. The fact that Dave is still there and Atlas now has DCS should be enough to put everyone's mind at ease.

Scott Smith

@scott.smith posted:

No doubt in my mind it will get done. Dave Krebiehl was already working on these things when Mike announced his retirement. The fact that Dave is still there and Atlas now has DCS should be enough to put everyone's mind at ease.

Scott Smith

I don’t doubt it will get done but it has had a lot of uphill battles. MTH’s status,the pandemic, and now supply issues.

I believe the Hardware design is complete.   However an on/off switch would be nice.  Easier to reset after an e-stop.

@jhz563 posted:

However an on/off switch would be nice.  Easier to reset after an e-stop.

I use a RF controlled relay board for such uses.  Tons of inexpensive choices for the function: Relay Remote Switch Wireless RF

Sounds like you all want what DCC has had for years.

@Rick Rubino posted:

Sounds like you all want what DCC has had for years.

Since not many of us are likely to toss all our stuff or pay tens of thousands of dollars to convert everything to DCC, this really isn't all that germane to the conversation.

1: resume production of a handheld remote

2: make the new TIU so it is compatible with the handheld remote, not just a phone or tablet

Wireless interface to trigger track embedded train position sensors, accessories and engine response.  For example the train could blow the whistle at crossings and activate crossing signals.  It could brake the train upon station approach, stop, take on passengers, accelerate as it pulls away.    Wireless position sensors could enable Collision avoidance.

@BlueComet400 posted:

2: make the new TIU so it is compatible with the handheld remote, not just a phone or tablet

Since the remote works tethered, I live in hope that someone can come up with a little box to plug into the remote jack and enable wireless operation with the DCS remote.  My never happen, but it's the only way they'd get me to buy one of the new TIU's.

I have squirreled away some spare TIU's, and I have parts to keep them running, so it's not a priority for me.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Since the remote works tethered, I live in hope that someone can come up with a little box to plug into the remote jack and enable wireless operation with the DCS remote.

It doesn’t seem that hard to do, as long as the command structure from the jack is similar to what’s transmitted over RF.

But what is that saying you have…?

@rplst8 posted:

It doesn’t seem that hard to do, as long as the command structure from the jack is similar to what’s transmitted over RF.

Hard to imagine it would be totally different.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Hard to imagine it would be totally different.

Wow you replied too quick, I hit reply by accident and edited to give you an opening!

@rplst8 posted:

It doesn’t seem that hard to do, as long as the command structure from the jack is similar to what’s transmitted over RF.

But what is that saying you have…?

@scott.smith posted:

3) A slower ramp-up speed  when going from the lowest SMPH to a faster one. Lionel really has this down on their Legacy System. You can start out at their lowest speed and the engine will take several minutes to actually reach top speed.

Anyone else have any ideas?
Scott Smith

100% agree on this one.  Upgraded app would be nice.  We keep hearing about how they are not limited with a physical remote and can add new features to the app at will but they never did.  Time for the talk to end and actually release something.

Don't understand ScottSmith's comment.  DCS does have an acceleration rate setting.

I agree with RJR

It's in the remote at least:

Menu / Control / ACC RATE or DCC RATE

@RJR posted:

Don't understand ScottSmith's comment.  DCS does have an acceleration rate setting.

Their just isn't that much difference between the slowest acceleration and fastest acceleration setting. DCS needs to be able to accelerate/deaccelerate at a slower pace. It takes a Legacy locomotive minutes to reach full speed when a DCS will be a full speed in 15 seconds or so.

Scott Smith

@scott.smith posted:

Their just isn't that much difference between the slowest acceleration and fastest acceleration setting. DCS needs to be able to accelerate/deaccelerate at a slower pace. It takes a Legacy locomotive minutes to reach full speed when a DCS will be a full speed in 15 seconds or so.

Scott Smith

You need to see the Legacy loco motive starting a the "roll" setting going to the fastest to understand how much of a difference it is.

Scott Smith

@RJR posted:

Don't understand ScottSmith's comment.  DCS does have an acceleration rate setting.

@Joe Allen posted:

I agree with RJR

It's in the remote at least:

Menu / Control / ACC RATE or DCC RATE

So does your DCS go from low to full speed like this. 4 minutes to reach full speed, 4 minutes to go back down.

Please excuse my home layout it needs a little maintenance.

Scott Smith

Scott is 100% correct, at the lowest acceleration setting, the MTH still accelerates way too fast.  In addition, with the acceleration and train brake, you can simulate an almost infinite variety of loads with corresponding sound and smoke volume.  MTH is way behind in that area.

I was thinking the same thing as Scott on the acceleration rate when compared to Lionel's.  Thank you, John!

Correct me if I am doing something wrong, but I was always bothered that I had to get the speed up a few smph before my DCS engines would really start the chuffing sound.  They all make a muffled sound when starting out, but it takes some acceleration before I really get the nice quality sounding 4 chuffs.  I finally bought a Legacy 0-8-0, and it starts the chuffing sound right away at 1.  It does it no matter if I use my TMCC remote or use it configured in TMCC mode in the DCS remote.

I think you're talking about the six "hissing sound" chuffs you get at startup.  All the MTH steam does that I believe.  I think they're simulating the blowdown at startup.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I think you're talking about the six "hissing sound" chuffs you get at startup.  All the MTH steam does that I believe.  I think they're simulating the blowdown at startup.

Yeah I didn't know the mechanics of it but it's when the petcocks on the cylinders are open.  Note, my engines only do this at the first start or after it's been sitting a while.

Thank you John and rplst8

@rplst8 posted:

Yeah I didn't know the mechanics of it but it's when the petcocks on the cylinders are open.  Note, my engines only do this at the first start or after it's been sitting a while.

Correct, I only notice it when I first power one up and start moving.  After the first start, if you stop and don't shutdown, it won't do it again.  Now, if they had cylinder steam, we would have known right away what was going on!