DCS remote won't read either TIU after reset

Did you add the TIU?  G

Yeah, each time and for each one.  The remote tells me if I don't.  Tried recover engine also.  Made sure only one on each track.

What now?

Jerry, 

First, ensure that each TIU has a different TIU number. Turn on power to each and count how many times the red L:ED blinks before coming on solid.

If the TIUs both have the same number, change one of them by powering up only the one to be changed and pressing:

Menu/System/TIU Setup/Edit TIU, select the TIU with the duplicate number and change it to any other TIU number.

If they have different numbers, ensure that both numbers are in each remote. Do this by pressing:

Menu/System/TIU Setup/Edit TIU and see what numbers are listed.

If either of the two TIUs are missing, add them:

Menu/System/TIU Setup/Add TIU, select a TIU to add and press the thumbwheel.

If any other TIUs were displayed by the EdiT TIU command, delete them:

Menu/System/TIU Setup/Delete TIU, select the TIU to delete and press the thumbwheel.

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

What now?    Power up one tiu and count the number of times the red led  blinks on top of the tiu., The number of blinks is the actual tiu number.. Now go to menu. System/ Tiu set up/ add tiu ,  If your tiu blinked 1 time, add it to the remote, To verify that it's been added and the remote is communicating with it press the "read" (bottom left on the remote)

If it's already been added and the "read" doesn't find the tiu. it's time to try tethering the tiuu and remote with the curly phone cable,     Does the read find the  tiu? 

Just try the 1 tiu for now, Barry hadn't posted when I was typing this up .

Gregg,

A big uh, oh.  Did what you said.  Brand new TIU that came today.  Blinked twice, so I changed the address to TIU 2.  Got TIU error.  
Deleted TIU 1 and added TIU 2 address.  Still wouldn't find MTH engine.  Tried read.  Detected TIU at address 2.  Still would not read the only MTH engine on track.  Want to try the phone cable tether but my 4 are too big.  The curly phone cable???

Barry,

I'm trying to get one to work first.  I deleted all TIU's and started over with one on each layout, but I have done this three times already.  I know the problem can't be with a six month old TIU and a one day old TIU.  Gotta be the remote.

OK the read finds tiu #2.  This is good.  Delete the engine and try adding it back on tiu's  #2 track with no other engines...  The curly phone cable is  the cable that goes  form the hand set to the phone base on a land line phone. Not the one between the base and wall out but since your remote is communication with tiu #2 not much point now.

Gregg and Barry,

A major problem solved.  You're the best.  The blinking red light I didn't know about.  

Both were set on TIU 2, but I had deleted one when testing the other, and each trial set as TIU1 and read as TIU1.  Changed the overhead to TIU1 (from 2) and success. Next tried the table layout as TIU2, but it still would not add the engine, which I purposely kept out of TIU1.  OK, so now I have my original MTH's back on the overhead and they're as good as always. How did I mess up adding the second TIU to the remote?  

Check my first post, please.  Am I really supposed to change 1 to 2 and then reset and re-add everything to create a superTIU?   This is what caused the problem in the first place...so, I have a new TIU, and want DCS on the table layout, plus more MTH engines on the same remote. And, I just read my Santa Fe F-3 is being delivered to dealers in the next two weeks.

Following the manual didn't work...I think.

Jerry

 Deleting a tiu doesn't really change it's address. It just removes it from the remote and also anything associated with that tiu.   Engines etc.  Sort of like engines Id stick with then unless...not  going there     right now.         

Only 2 ways to change a tiu's address,,,  A factory reset or editing the address.. However you need to be able to communicate  with it to do it.   

 Are you all fixed up?   Yes the blinking led is a big help .  Lets us  know what we  have to work with.  

  To place the tiu in super go to  Menu/system/tiu set up/ super tiu/... select the tiu and hit SPR.

  Your tiu are now tiu #1 and tiu #2 and working?   Don't reset them. that will change the ID on TIU #2 back to tiu#1 . Don't reset the remote either. that will  remove tiu #2.

Thanks so much.  I'm sure that will do it and I will try that first thing tomorrow.  So I set both to SPR or just TIU2, the table layout?  Too late for now, I'm beat.  Been working on the layouts all day.  So glad to have my engines back on line...so glad there are guys who know their stuff and are willing to share it.

So...someone should tell MTH to change the manual?

Yes set both to super.   over & out

Sorry, I'm back.  

Set both TIU's to super.  Engine won't start on TIU2 track.  Remote is reading both TIU's.  Deleted that engine because it originally was detected on TIU1.  Tried to add it from TIU2.  Goes to another engine already on TIU1.  Won't pick it up from TIU2, but will from 1.  Have lighted caboose on the 2 track so power is there and I hear a soft click from the engine upon power up.  Says out of RF range.  Can't read signal strength without an engine detected there.  Both TIU's on Fixed1.  Made sure DCS is on with TIU2.  Read everything I can find.  This should work, but I must be missing something.

Jerry

Jerry,

What version of DCS is on each TIU and remote?

Make sure that all remotes and TIUs are using the same version of DCS.

Thanks Barry.  Yes, both are REV L.  Can't figure out why engine read says RF out of Range when trying to add the engine on TIU2.

Jerry,

No, what software version is in each TIU and remote?

4.2 in both.

4.2 in everything, including the remote.  The first, with remote, is only 6 months old and got the other yesterday.  5.0 is mostly for wi-fi.  You confirmed that with me on the engine problem last week.

Double check the wiring from the TIU. Red output must go to the center rail with proto-2 engines.

Does the engine immediately come up with sounds and lights when power is first applied to the Tiu?

Wiring is good.  No, just a soft click, so it is getting power and it works on TIU1.  Somehow TIU2 can't communicate with it.  I will try a PS3 engine right now.

Soft click is good.  

Well, you got it.  I should have thought of that.  The PS3 fired up with start engine, have complete control.  Switched them back and the PS2 fired up on its own, but no communication with TIU2.   Still complete communication with TIU1.  I'm confused, but I only have the one PS2 engine and that one is for the overhead anyway. Not a wiring problem or else I'd be shorting out in conventional.  

Didn't realize I'd have to point the remote at TIU1 to run the engines on either.  Tried that many times with the PS2 and it never made any difference.  I plan on new PS3 engines anyway, so I should be good from now on.  Thanks so much Barry.  

You have any ideas why the 2 wouldn't work on that track besides wiring?

Thanks Gregg...it was your idea that showed it works.

4.2 is probably the worst  software version for super mode runners ever... It has a nasty bug that if a engine ends up in the inactive list and is   on  track owned by another tiu, it won't come out . Not on track etc. You can lift it out or delete and add again. Any time the "read" is pressed , dcs looks for engines and if they're not found they end up in the inactive list... Why don't you try running in normal mode  just to see if you can get   part of the problem cleared up. Back to tiu set up ,   Super tiu ,and this time  normal.   for tiu #1 and tiu #2.

Jerry,

Just so that you're aware, there's a bug in DCS 4.20.

If an engine is in the Inactive Engine List and is sitting on a track connected to the TIU to which it was not added, DCS can't find it.

Just to confirm:

• With the engine not present (deleted) from the remote, it can be added on one TIU's track but not the other.
• Every time you attempt to add it when it's on a powered track connected to the other TIU, you get a message "OUT OF RF RANGE".
• You have this problem only with this one engine.

Is this correct?

Gregg,

I did try conventional and it worked when I switched to Fixed 2, but there is no DCS on that with only one hook up, so I changed it back.

Barry,

On the nosey, just the PS2, but, why would you add a track that only runs in DCS mode?  Also, I never moved the engine to inactive.  I deleted it to see if I could add it on TIU2 but that never worked.  You are getting at something though.  I'm happy the PS3's work, but if you have an idea for the PS2....

Jerry 

Jerry,

Can you interchange the two TIUs by physically swapping all of the wires between the two TIUs, and see if the problem moves to the other TIU?

Hey Jerry When I mentioned normal mode that's still command mode .

BTW the tiu needs power  to  fixed 1 to turn on, function,operate )  An aux power supply will also turn it on. Other wise it's dead except for fixed 2

Fixed 2 is a straight through connection which will allow power through it but if the tiu is not turned on. there will be no dcs signal.  I suspect you're using the handle of the transformer for conventional running when using fixed 2.

Try normal mode again with tiu #2.

Menu/System/ Tiu set up/ Super tiu/  select normal mode (the remote will tell you what mode you've selected) and try adding a engine. If all your engine have been added to the remote , delete one and try adding it to tiu number 2 using fixed 1. 

 Do you have Barry's book?

Barry,

I thought of that, but wanted to avoid it, especially now that I know it works.  I'll give it a try this afternoon.  I won't change any programming and I'll let you know what happens.

BTW, the overhead is level of course.  Watching the perfect speed control with the ups and downs of the table layout is fantastic.  Just what I wanted.

Jerry

Hey Gregg and Barry,

Gregg:  Tried loading the PS2 in normal on TIU2.  It won't load it.  I'd like to figure out why, but as long as it works on the overhead, that's where it belongs anyway.  Runs great up there.

Barry:  Yeah, I gave swapping TIU's a try, but same result on either side (1 or 2).  You guys must be right about the PS2 thing, but you've solved my real problems and I should be good to go.  Will get my replacement PS3 UP GP20 soon (remember that one?) and it will go on the table layout.   Also, I've been following your posts about other PS2/TIU situations the guys are having.

The best news is that I got a call from Brooklyn that my 7 month wait is over-the new MTH Santa Fe F-3 is in and is on it's way.  Let's hope they both work properly so I won't be bugging everyone for awhile.

Finally, you have both been great and I won't forget all your effort and help.

Jerry

Jerry,

 gave swapping TIU's a try, but same result on either side (1 or 2).

Since swapping TIUs caused the same issue on both TIUs, the TIUs are most likely not part of the problem.

Since the engine adds on one track but not the other, the engine is also most ;like;ly not the problem. PS3 engines are able to do more with less signal strength so will do better when there's a probe;em with either the wiring  of the track or the track itself..

By deduction, the remaining suspect is the track and its wiring.

 One way to find out.... Hook up a small test track (one  or two sections of track} and try adding using fixed 1... Make sure the engine has not been added and  is not hiding in the remote someplace  .( A engine with an ID but no name or hidden  In the inactive list....

I think you're really  close to having the problem fixed. ...