How Many Locomotives Can Be Programmed Into a DCS Remote And Other Programming Questions

The remote can't handle 3-digit loco ID numbers.  You probably could use multiple remotes as you suggest, provided that when switching remotes, you park all locos not included on the new remote on dead tracks or remove from layout.

RJR posted:

The remote can't handle 3-digit loco ID numbers.  You probably could use multiple remotes as you suggest, provided that when switching remotes, you park all locos not included on the new remote on dead tracks or remove from layout.

That could probably work.

To answer your question a remote can have 99 engines addressed.  That includes "lash ups," so if you have 50 engines, and 30 lash ups that would account for 80 of the 99 addresses, if my math is correct. 

Never tried adding different engines into my second remote, but will do it to see if it works. 

Lionelbill posted:

To answer your question a remote can have 99 engines addressed.  That includes "lash ups," so if you have 50 engines, and 30 lash ups that would account for 80 of the 99 addresses, if my math is correct. 

Never tried adding different engines into my second remote, but will do it to see if it works. 

I have four DCS remotes for our layout, and all sorts of different MTH locomotives are loaded into each different remote, including various guests. No single locomotive is loaded into more than one remote.

Hot Water posted:

I have four DCS remotes for our layout, and all sorts of different MTH locomotives are loaded into each different remote, including various guests. No single locomotive is loaded into more than one remote.

Thanks, good to know.

I would guess that same loco could be in several remotes that have different engines, if it had the same ID number in all.

Lionelbill posted:

To answer your question a remote can have 99 engines addressed.  That includes "lash ups," so if you have 50 engines, and 30 lash ups that would account for 80 of the 99 addresses, if my math is correct. 

Never tried adding different engines into my second remote, but will do it to see if it works. 

That's what I thought, thank you.

Without good discipline, having multiple remotes with the same engines and different engines loaded is a recipe for confusion.  If the current engine number is already used, the add process changes the engine number and adds it.  When you go back to the old remote, it no longer works.  Worst yet, as you continue to independently add engines to remotes, the numbers really get scrambled, and when you try to run your Challenger, the SD-80 first up and takes off.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Without good discipline, having multiple remotes with the same engines and different engines loaded is a recipe for confusion.  If the current engine number is already used, the add process changes the engine number and adds it.  When you go back to the old remote, it no longer works.  Worst yet, as you continue to independently add engines to remotes, the numbers really get scrambled, and when you try to run your Challenger, the SD-80 first up and takes off.

I still have a problem trying to get remotes cloned.  Get stuck in that "can't find the port" loop when trying to do the restore to clone.  Backing up the remote works fine; restoring it doesn't.  No, I'm not buying a new computer just to be able to do that ... :-)  Never found a way to make it work, even with the USB port TIU.

After you do the backup, try turning off ALL the power to the TIU and remote and starting from scratch.

GRJ is right.  TIU power should be cut after every failed attempt (plus a after some unfailed actions).  I assume that after having saved the data to the computer, you do not move the cable to another USB port.

RJR posted:

GRJ is right.  TIU power should be cut after every failed attempt (plus a after some unfailed actions).  I assume that after having saved the data to the computer, you do not move the cable to another USB port.

I'll give that a try.  Thanks.