DCS TMCC

Did you connect the serial cable from the TMCC base to the TIU? That cable is required for DCS to read TMCC engines.

Yep, I did connect the serial cable.

Do you have a Cab1 remote to test the TMCC system on its own, without going through the TIU?

No, I do not have the cab remote only the dcs remote.

I would think the base comes apart as the screws are hidden under the rubber feet that on mine fall off all the time. The terminal post should not spin. Since you are following the DCS companion, I would say you should have the correct MTH cable labeled properly for hook up with the correct wall wart for the command base and the wire going to the outside rail. also the TMCC engine has to set to program on the engine.

Unlike proto-2 engines you have to manually add the engine. DCS does not  find TMCC engines when adding.. It gets a little complicated especially if you don't know the TMCC address, That's the address you'd use if you  were running with a cab-1.

 Menu/System/ Engine set up/Add engine/ Add TMCC engine. A list of letters comes up and you name the engine (anything you want) and hit the "D: for done, except you're not done, another list comes up with a list of TMCC addresses... Pick the one that  you would use if  running with  a cab-1

, Let's say I don't know what the tmcc address is. when adding use any tmcc address.  Now  we have a engine added  and can create a new  TMCC address by using the EDIT tmcc address command found under the engine set up menu

.A screen will show up on the dcs remote.. Place run/program switch to program etc follow the on screen instructions. If you get   a short whistle blast you'll know the new tmcc addess took.  You'll find the engine in the inactive list, select to make it active and select again to start it it up.

Gregg,

<strong><em>Unlike proto-2 engines</em></strong> you have to manually add the engine. DCS does not  find TMCC engines when adding.

Actually, that's a poor choice of words.

As you know, you also have to add DCS (PS2 and PS3) engines to a remote. They don't just appear in the DCS Remote and, contrary to a DCS "urban myth", the READ command has absolutely nothing to do with adding engines.

I will give it another go this afternoon.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Gregg,

<strong><em>Unlike proto-2 engines</em></strong> you have to manually add the engine. DCS does not  find TMCC engines when adding.

Actually, that's a poor choice of words.

As you know, you also have to add DCS (PS2 and PS3) engines to a remote. They don't just appear in the DCS Remote and, contrary to a DCS "urban myth", the READ command has absolutely nothing to do with adding engines.

Boy! are you picky picky this morning.  Yes you have to add proto-2/3 engines but DCS  looks for them. DCS does not look for TMCC engines.  You have to enter them with the   letter list. I don't recall using the term "read" .

One more quick question.  Since I have no clue what the tmcc address is, when I edit the tmcc address can I just put in anything?

Mr Union Pacific posted:

One more quick question.  Since I have no clue what the tmcc address is, when I edit the tmcc address can I just put in anything?

Yes.  any 1 or 2 digit number, some use the number on the side of the engine..

Gregg,

Picky? Me?

 I don't recall using the term "read" .

You didn't.

I should have been more clear that I was referring to all those other posters who start out by stating something such as "...I tried READ but the remote didn't find any engines...".

I also noted "As you know", referring to the fact that I wasn't attempting to re-educate you, rather, I was clarifying your previous statement.

Mr Union Pacific posted:

One more quick question.  Since I have no clue what the tmcc address is, when I edit the tmcc address can I just put in anything?

If you change the TMCC address of the engine, you need to switch the TMCC engine to PGM mode before adding it to the DCS remote.  Then pick a TMCC ID when adding.  After adding it to the remote, switch the TMCC engine back into RUN mode. 

This "switching" is using the PGM/RUN switch, either on the bottom of the engine or under a cover on the shell, depending on the engine in question.

Since you state you don't know the engine TMCC #, one presumes you should assume you are changing it.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Mr Union Pacific posted:

One more quick question.  Since I have no clue what the tmcc address is, when I edit the tmcc address can I just put in anything?

If you change the TMCC address of the engine, you need to switch the TMCC engine to PGM mode before adding it to the DCS remote.  Then pick a TMCC ID when adding.  After adding it to the remote, switch the TMCC engine back into RUN mode. 

This "switching" is using the PGM/RUN switch, either on the bottom of the engine or under a cover on the shell, depending on the engine in question.

Since you state you don't know the engine TMCC #, one presumes you should assume you are changing it.

 What 's wrong with adding the TMCC engine   using any old TMCC address, It won't run but you now have a engine added to the dcs remote  to work with. Now  one can now edit it's address to whatever you want ( Cab number maybe)  by placing the run/ program switch to program following the on screen instruction...  I suppose there may  be more than 1 method. Is your method  shorter? 

Ok, Im to the point of giving up.  I have wired the tmcc base as instructed...serial cable is connected to tiu...track wire from tmcc base to outside rail.  I have the program switched to program I followed the steps then moved switch back to program...NOTHING HAPPENS.   In the dcs companion book it says that when a commaned is given the red light on the base should blink...mine does not blink.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

My suggestion is get a Cab1 remote and operate the 2 systems separately. At least that way you can do isolated trouble shooting. At this point, you have no idea where the problem is... DCS, TMCC base, or the TMCC engine.

Ok, Im going to order a cab 1 remote this evening.  Now, when I obtain the cab 1 remote, will I be able to use that and my dcs remote at the same time?  Will having both systems hooked up interfere with my dcs operation?

I have wired the tmcc base as instructed...serial cable is connected to tiu...track wire from tmcc base to outside rail.

Make sure that the cable has the correct ends in the correct devices. If reversed, it won't work.

 I have the program switched to program I followed the steps then moved switch back to program...NOTHING HAPPENS.

After setting the TMCC address, the RUN/PROG switch must be returned to RUN.

In the dcs companion book it says that when a command is given the red light on the base should blink...mine does not blink. 

That means one of three things:

• The TIU into which the command base is connected has a number that's different from the TIU number that you entered when you added the TMCC engine
• The cable between the Command Base and the TIU is reversed end for end
• You're using the wrong MTH cable. For connecting to a TMCC Base, you need MTH #50-1032 or #50-1018. For connecting to a Legacy Command Base, you need #50-1032 or #50-1007. For either, #509-1032 is preferred.
• The cable between the Command Base and the TIU is defective.

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!

Gregg posted:

 What 's wrong with adding the TMCC engine   using any old TMCC address, It won't run but you now have a engine added to the dcs remote  to work with. Now  one can now edit it's address to whatever you want ( Cab number maybe)  by placing the run/ program switch to program following the on screen instruction...  I suppose there may  be more than 1 method. Is your method  shorter? 

 Very simply, there is no SET button on the DCS remote!  The DCS remote emulates the SET button ONLY when you are assigning a TMCC ID, so that's the only time you can change the TMCC ID using the remote.

If you're talking about changing the TMCC ID with a TMCC or Legacy remote, that's certainly a lengthier process than what I described, though it will certainly work.

Ok, I think im going to shoot myself!!!!!!  I did in fact have the serial cable backwards!!!  I really am not stupid although I sure feel like it now.  Is a subscription to the forum worth it....EVERY PENNY YES!!!  Thanks everyone!

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Gregg posted:

 What 's wrong with adding the TMCC engine   using any old TMCC address, It won't run but you now have a engine added to the dcs remote  to work with. Now  one can now edit it's address to whatever you want ( Cab number maybe)  by placing the run/ program switch to program following the on screen instruction...  I suppose there may  be more than 1 method. Is your method  shorter? 

 Very simply, there is no SET button on the DCS remote!  The DCS remote emulates the SET button ONLY when you are assigning a TMCC ID, so that's the only time you can change the TMCC ID using the remote.

If you're talking about changing the TMCC ID with a TMCC or Legacy remote, that's certainly a lengthier process than what I described, though it will certainly work.

Hmm . Why then  is the edit TMCC address command  available??   Are you saying you can't change a TMCC ID after the engine has been added to the dcs remote? I don't think so.

John,

As Gregg implies, the DCS Remote emulates the SET button for adding and editing TMCC/Legacy engines.

Yes you can use TMCC and DCS systems at the same time, without interference from one another. If you choose to do that, there is no need to connect them together with the serial cable. Operate them separately.

its well worth having both systems and using them with their own engines.

You're right Greg, I was thinking of changing the TMCC ID without editing the engine address in the remote.  Never did understand why they didn't include a SET button emulation.

Where can I find the wire connectors that slide into the DCS TIU?  The threaded screw does not hold the wires.

Buzz 

Trainz.com will have them or EBAY.  You mean when you push the wire through the hole on the threaded stud and then screw the nut down on it, it doesn't hold? 

EBAY...

Mr Union Pacific posted:

Trainz.com will have them or EBAY.  You mean when you push the wire through the hole on the threaded stud and then screw the nut down on it, it doesn't hold? 

exactly Thank you

Mr Union Pacific posted:

EBAY...

 

whats the black connector for? I need to attach the other ends to my ZW transformer. 

I guess I could just cut that end off and connect to transformer?

Affirmative on that.

Mr. UP,

No, don't do that.

Instead, order the right product for your needs. What you want are dual banana plugs. They're available from Amazon. These are good and these are better.

Barry,

i looked at your recommendations, but I don't see how they would work. 

Buzz,

You would connect a dual connector to one end of a pair of wires. The connector would plug into the TIU's input port  and the bare wire ends would connect to your transformer terminals.

If your transformer happens to be a Z4000, you would also put a dual connector onto the other end of the wire, as well.

The wire ends attach to the connectors with screws built-into the connectors. The spacing on the two pins (banana plugs) of the connectors exactly matches the spacing on the TIU (and Z4000) terminals.

Barry,

your explanation clarifys the application thank you. 

Maybe now I will be able use the DCS system I bought in the spring. 

Very confusing. 

Thanks, Buzz