Control an old Lionel F3 from TIU

Two things:

1: The 6-11711 has a mechanical E-Unit, therefore cannot be controlled by a TMCC signal. 

The wire from the TMCC command base should be connected to the OUTSIDE rails, not the middle rail.

You should be able to run the locomotive conventionally using one of the variable channels on the TIU.

@George Mason posted:

Control an old Lionel F3 from TIU...  I have a Lionel trainmaster control base (6-12911)...  TIU...  Santa Fe F3 6-11711... I am using the DCS WiFi app on my phone.

 The easy way to do this with a non TMCC / non Legacy engine is to use a variable channel on the TIU and run it conventionally, no TMCC or base needed.

@Lou1985 posted:

Two things:

1: The 6-11711 has a mechanical E-Unit, therefore cannot be controlled by a TMCC signal. 

The wire from the TMCC command base should be connected to the OUTSIDE rails, not the middle rail.

You should be able to run the locomotive conventionally using one of the variable channels on the TIU.

I was afraid that would be the answer. That means that I would need a separate track to operate the two conventional engines that I inherited, correct?

@Lou1985 posted:

Two things:

1: The 6-11711 has a mechanical E-Unit, therefore cannot be controlled by a TMCC signal. 

The wire from the TMCC command base should be connected to the OUTSIDE rails, not the middle rail.

You should be able to run the locomotive conventionally using one of the variable channels on the TIU.

Thank you for the reply. I should have known that.

You can run conventional, DCS, and TMCC/Legacy locomotives through the TIU variable channels no problem. 

Is there a downside to using the variable channels? Would I lose the features of the PS2 and 3 engines?

I use the variable channel set to fixed mode.  This means that when I'm running command, I just flip it on and it comes up full power, away we go. There is no observeable difference between running command on the fixed or variable channels.

If you select one of the variable channels with the TR (track) key, you can then start controlling it in variable mode.  Now you can use it for conventional engines.

@George Mason posted:

Is there a downside to using the variable channels? Would I lose the features of the PS2 and 3 engines?

Nope. You'll be fine.

The output wires from my Z brick are going into fixed one. Fixed one is jumpered to fixed two and var one. My switches are getting their power from the track. I’m using the MTH app to run my trains. 

I tried connecting Var one to the tracks and wasn’t getting any power. What am I doing wrong?

Also, will I have to use the handheld remote to operate the trains?

Unless you set it to fixed Variable 1 has no power output until you use the remote to adjust it up from 0. Hit the TR (for track) key on the remote, select Variable 1, and scroll the wheel up to increase track voltage, down to decrease. 

Check the instruction manual for DCS. This is covered in there.

Pretty sure he suggested he doesn't have a remote, just the app.

I've only used the app once when they demo'ed it at the TCA museum, so I don't know if the app may be different than the remote in this regard   I'm sure someone here knows.

-Dave

Ok, I have it working with the remote. I need to look at the app now and see if I can get it working.

There is a track icon in the app. I was able to add a track using Var1. When I exited the track add screen, I was taken to a screen where I could set the voltage. I then went to “engines” and was able to run my DCS engines. I have not tried running a conventional engine yet.

That sounds like you found it.

Obviously for conventional engines you stay on the screen that allows you to change the voltage. 

-Dave

@Dave45681 posted:

That sounds like you found it.

Obviously for conventional engines you stay on the screen that allows you to change the voltage. 

-Dave

It’s created two issues....one that I expected. (1) I am going to have provide power to the switches from a separate power supply. (2) I suspect that I’ll have to power my second loop independently so that I can run my DCS engines while running conventional on the other loop. 

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I use the variable channel set to fixed mode.  This means that when I'm running command, I just flip it on and it comes up full power, away we go. There is no observeable difference between running command on the fixed or variable channels.

If you select one of the variable channels with the TR (track) key, you can then start controlling it in variable mode.  Now you can use it for conventional engines.

John, are you able to run conventional and PS engines at the same time? I am thinking that I will have to isolate my two loops so that I can run my PS engines on the oval not being used for the conventional ones.

While some people have tried running command and conventional, it's a PITA to balance the two.  Command operation requires at least 11-12 volts on the track, and many conventional engines are flying by the time you get to that voltage.  Unless you are trying to run the loops all on one TIU channel, you have to isolate them anyway.

Thanks, John. Fortunately, it’s a carpet layout and I haven’t finished wiring it. Can I used the other variable channel in my TIU  to power the switches?

If you want to run the loops independently, you probably want to use the second one for the second loop.  Why do you need variable power to power the switches?

At some point in the past year, I had been advised to use the fixed ports for the track. So, I’ll use the variable ports for the two loops and use the fixed for switches.