@RWL posted:..DCS Questions:
1) The TIU has 4 channels, but all are not variable.
Can all types of trains (DCS, Lion Chief, Conventional) on all channels?
2) How critical is the Star Pattern wiring?
My plan is to run all feeders, for each track, to a dedicated terminal strip, then out from there.
I then plan to keep the feeders approx the same length.
3) What equipment is required other than a TIU and a Remote?
4) Would I have any use for me ZW or Z-Controller?
Would all of the bricks attach directly to the TIU?I do have a copy of the DCS O GAUGE COMPANION 2nd Addition.
I will go back and reread.My head hurts....................
I think the O Gauge Companion will address your questions.
BTW, I believe it also addresses yet another "manual" alternative to the PBW-DCSRC. That is, as long as you send ANY valid DCS command to a newly powered DCS engine, it will start up silently in the shutdown mode. So. There is a 2-step process to power up a siding with a DCS engine:
Step 1. Flip the SPST switch to power up the siding and presumably a DCS engine.
Step 2. Within 1 sec (or so) of Step 1, press a DCSRC remote button so that the DCSRC receiver sends a DCS command on the track to the engine. That is, a DCS engine will power up in the silent shutdown mode if it sees ANY valid DCS command. It does NOT have to be the watchdog bark.
I believe this is the first instance of a pair of DCSRCs in this configuration. All previous OGR discussions have been with a full-blown TIU augmented by a PBW-DCSRC.
So if you only have 1 DCSRC at present, I guess one way to look at it is you need at least 3 DCSRCs. If you end up converting the 3 DCSRCs to PBW-DCSRC and pony-up the cash for a full-blown DCS/TIU then so be it. Otherwise, from what I can tell using eBay as a metric, you should probably be able to re-sell any extra DCSRC units and make a small profit! I'm not sure I've seen a PBW-DCSRC on eBay, but then again that too may be an avenue to at least breaking even on your experimentation!
