[SOLVED - Please no more replies] Is My TUI Dead?

Maybe not.  First make certain nothing else is on the tracks. Then for test purposes only, pull the output leads from Variable 1 and connect them to Fixed 1. Use a VOM on the track to verify the track voltage. It should match the output of your transformer. Try adding the engine. If it is added, then either the signal generator for Variable 1 is bad, or you don't have sufficient voltage on the track. Do you have Variable 1 programed into your remote? If not you need that. If so, then you need to raise the track voltage.(TR, Var1, scroll up). The voltage displayed on the remote assumes you have 22v going into the Variable 1 input. If you have less going in, the voltage output of Var 1 is reduced proportionally, but the display will not reflect the actual value.

Chris

LVHR

You might try using a fixed output, doesn't sound like you need the variable.  You have four channels on a tiu, try one of the fixed.

If you're trying to run command control from a variable channel I believe you need to change the setting to Fixed, or as Doug suggests, move the wires feeding the track to Fixed 1 output.

Do you have a copy of the DCS Companion? It is well worth the price.

The other thing is, I think the DCS signal can be disabled on the variable outputs.  Make sure it's not turned off.

1. Are you only running command control type engines ?

2. Not sure why you are "jumpering" from Fixed 1 In  to  Variable 1 In and then using Variable 1 Out to the track ?

3. For a quick test to get your MTH engine running, disconnect your transformer output jacks from Fixed 1 In  and move to Fixed 2 In. Then move your outputs to the track from Variable 1 Out to Fixed 2 Out and report back.

@Richie C. posted:

3. For a quick test to get your MTH engine running, disconnect your transformer output jacks from Fixed 1 In  and move to Fixed 2 In. Then move your outputs to the track from Variable 1 Out to Fixed 2 Out and report back.

Unless he connects power to the AUX power jack, this move will certainly fail as the only way the TIU gets powered is from power into FIXED #1 or the AUX power jack.

Move all the wires to Fixed 1 in and out and check on that channel. If everything works fine then the issue is with Variable 1.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Unless he connects power to the AUX power jack, this move will certainly fail as the only way the TIU gets powered is from power into FIXED #1 or the AUX power jack.

You're right - I thought his initial power-up sequence indicated that it was powered by a separate source, but maybe not.

Q. If you run 18 acv into a variable input not changed to fixed and not set up to put out variable voltage on the remote, does the variable output for that channel put out a default voltage or will it always put out 18 acv until changed ?

Actually, the variable channels set to variable mode start out at zero volts.  When in fixed mode, they start out at full voltage.

ok - wasn't sure if the OP's reading of 7.8 volts at the Variable 1 output with 21 volts going in, but with that channel not being programmed as a fixed channel or set up for conventional running, might have been a default output.

@lehighline posted:

Maybe not.  First make certain nothing else is on the tracks. Then for test purposes only, pull the output leads from Variable 1 and connect them to Fixed 1. Use a VOM on the track to verify the track voltage. It should match the output of your transformer. Try adding the engine. If it is added, then either the signal generator for Variable 1 is bad, or you don't have sufficient voltage on the track. Do you have Variable 1 programed into your remote? If not you need that. If so, then you need to raise the track voltage.(TR, Var1, scroll up). The voltage displayed on the remote assumes you have 22v going into the Variable 1 input. If you have less going in, the voltage output of Var 1 is reduced proportionally, but the display will not reflect the actual value.

Chris

LVHR

Okay; started following the steps you listed - thanks!

Found my problem: I plugged the power supply for the Legacy base into the MTH TIU! WRONG! (too may wires!) When I plugged the Z-1000 brick into the TIU I got 18.9 volts on the Fixed 1 input. Also had 18.9 on the Fixed 1 Out! Checking various places on my small temporary track,. I had above 18.6 everywhere That seems correct.

Didn't try running the loco just yet as I'm not sure how to run it with FIXED voltage; don't want it flying off the tracks!

How I want my temporary and eventual future layout set up is to have BOTH DCS and Legacy available. As well as being able to run MTH and Lionel conventional (Prefer to use the DCS remote when/where possible). I was careful to draw my wiring diagram after reading - several times - both the DCS Operator's Manual AND the DCS Companion Guide. I've not had any problems prior to this (I had to disconnect and move everything to set up some bookcases in my living room).

Can I reconnect everything following my wiring diagram? Best I can remember is it worked for everything.

IIRC I had to connect the track to the Variable Output 1 so I could run conventional? Someone had mentioned I shouldn't do that, but the Operator's Manual (page 99) clearly states you have to power the TIU via the Fixed In 1.

Was/is my original wiring diagram correct?

Thanks to the others who have also offered answers.

Paul,

Since the remote says it found an engine, you are in command control, not conventional. Placing a PS-2 or PS-3 engine on the track and raising the voltage to 18v will have zero effect on motion. You need to find the engine in the remote, and select it by pressing down on the thumb wheel. Then hit Start (button 3, IIRCC). The sounds on the engine will start, lights will come on, and the smoke unit (if it has one) will start. I usually kill the smoke right away, as my room is small. With the sounds on, scroll the thumb wheel up. The engine should start to move, and the sounds will increase. Look at the labels under the numbered keys for the various functions. BTW, if you can get a copy of The DCS O Gauge Companion by Barry Broskowitz, a LOT of your questions will be answered.  Well worth the buck.

Chris

LVHR

@lehighline posted:

Paul,

Since the remote says it found an engine, you are in command control, not conventional. Placing a PS-2 or PS-3 engine on the track and raising the voltage to 18v will have zero effect on motion. You need to find the engine in the remote, and select it by pressing down on the thumb wheel. Then hit Start (button 3, IIRCC). The sounds on the engine will start, lights will come on, and the smoke unit (if it has one) will start. I usually kill the smoke right away, as my room is small. With the sounds on, scroll the thumb wheel up. The engine should start to move, and the sounds will increase. Look at the labels under the numbered keys for the various functions. BTW, if you can get a copy of The DCS O Gauge Companion by Barry Broskowitz, a LOT of your questions will be answered.  Well worth the buck.

Chris

LVHR

Appreciate the response.

I will wire up everything like I had it and get back to finishing checking it out.

I do have the DCS Companion Guide 3rd Edition - that's where I got a lot of my initial questions answered. Yes, it is good information, but sometimes overwhelms me.

This is the loco I just got - to complement my four MTH "traditional" boxcars I acquired recently. And just order the two different 4-car sets of traditional Christmas cars. I wanted this loco because it's more in the "traditional" Christmas  scheme than the others:

Maybe I’m wrong but I thought a CW80 wasn’t

compatible with DCS.

@Stephen G posted:

Maybe I’m wrong but I thought a CW80 isn’t compatible with DCS.

The CW-80 is not recommended by MTH.

I was just using it to test to see if the new loco worked properly in conventional mode as I was having problems with the DCS operation.

As they say in the troubleshooting world - start with the very basics and work up to where you want to be.

I've subsequently figured out my problem - I inadvertently connected the Legacy Base power supply to the MTH TIU. Big different as the Legacy Base power supply only provides 7.9 volts whereas the Z-1000 (what I use for powering my DCS set up until my just purchased Z-4000 arrives) supplies 18.9 or so volts. I connected it up to the TIU today and wow! I got 18.9 volts. That's when I realized my mistake - having too many wires/connections for my temporary carpet layout.

Everything thing is fine - thanks to all the replies - especially the reply by @lehighline.

Reconnected the DCS items according to my diagram and checked all the connections - 18.9 volts all the way through. Track was showing 18.6 which is acceptable - all the way around.

Put the loco on the track and as soon as I powered up the track  it started up, but didn't show up in the remote so I went through the steps to add an MTH engine. Added!

Shut it down by pressing "6"; it shut down. Started back up by pressing "3" and it started up. All works fine.