Re: MTH Commander Question

jerryemt2001OGR Forum Member

I am so confused I dont know whether to scream or wind my watch! I am not versed in electrical connections beyond the very basics. After I read the MTH Commander manual on line am I correct in assuming it could control MTH 1 gauge engines with PS2 as well as DC powered engines from other manufacturers? If so, could I use just the MTH Z-1000 brick with the Commander to control both AC and DC engines (not at the same time) with a touch of a button on the Commander? That is, will Commander convert the AC power to DC power so I can enjoy DC trains as well? Or do I need a DC and AC power supply in the back of the Commander? I am largely vested in 3 rail O gauge and it would be nice for me to keep with controllers that work with MTH O scale as well as the 1 gauge I am now starting to get interested in.

4/7/1312:42 PM

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Barry BroskowitzOGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

The DCS Commander will operate any engine that can run on DC power. It converts AC or DC input voltage to DC output voltage.

You can operate such engines either under DCS (if they're PS2 or PS3) or conventionally if they're not DCS-capable engines. With the addition of a DCC controller, you can also run DCC engines (including PS3 engines) under DCC. However, there are two caveats.

The first is that the DCS Commander can only handle 6 mps, regardless of the input power. You'd have to consider that when running large-scale trains.

The second is that the DCS Commander can only support a subset of DCS commands.

The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition has an entire section devoted to the DCS Commander and its capabilities.

This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/60-1279

4/7/1312:59 PM

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jerryemt2001OGR Forum Member

Thanks, Barry., Actually I did buy your book but loaned it to a friend a few months ago and have not seen it since! I think the Commander might be what I need. My 1 Gauge track is going to be very modest. So I think the Commander would fit the bill

4/7/132:59 PM

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