Need help with apparent DCS problem

Sounds like a power issue, are you sure you don't have a high resistance connection somewhere in the track feed?  When you start to move, the power usage goes up considerably.

Have you tried them on a short piece of track connected directly to the transformer and TIU?  How about using a different TIU channel?

Sounds like a track issue to me, Jumper both outside rails together, maybe that will help a bit.

What are you using for transformer power? Gather these are all on regular track, no switches.

Sounds like you have a very small watt transformer. Are you using at least a 75 watt transformer? 

Lee Fritz

Are you using an old ZW?  A Z4K or ZW-L will not give you what you have.

The transformer is a 200-230?W MRC.  Will try Johns idea of a test track using different TIU out put ports.  I am not really sure the transformer is the problem since the layout ran OK before - but who knows.  BTW is there a way to reply to these posts individually?

Pat Coil posted:

The transformer is a 200-230?W MRC.  Will try Johns idea of a test track using different TIU out put ports.  I am not really sure the transformer is the problem since the layout ran OK before - but who knows.  BTW is there a way to reply to these posts individually?

From the lower right hand corner of a post that you wan to reply to, you can select 'Take Action' and then select 'Reply With Quote' and you will get a post that looks like this.

Sounds like a power to engine issues.  So check track cleanliness, than wheels and pickup rollers  on the engine.  Since the run fine in conventional on the LHS layout, seems more like your layout.  Could be loose connections on the transformer, TIU or track.  Did you try different TIU output like FIX 2?  G

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Sounds like a power issue, are you sure you don't have a high resistance connection somewhere in the track feed?  When you start to move, the power usage goes up considerably.

Have you tried them on a short piece of track connected directly to the transformer and TIU?  How about using a different TIU channel?

Hi Gunrunner,

Since this post I have determined that all three engines have the same problem, start up, run a few inches and shutdown even when I eliminate the DCS TIU.  Further, they do the same thing when on a 3' test track with no switches or any other complications.  Using a volt meter reveals good current on the main layout and the test track.  Transformer is a 3-4yr old MRC Pure Power Dual (kind of a MTH knockoff looking unit) 0-21v and 7 amps on each side 12-14 unswitched.  270 VAC total output.

Any thoughts on how to proceed?

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Are you using an old ZW?  A Z4K or ZW-L will not give you what you have.

Hi Marty,

Since that post I have tried removing the TIU and testing on just conventional power.  Same results, each starts moves a few inches and shuts down.  Connected transformer directly to a 3' test track, no switches, no nothing.  Exact same results as above.

Transformer is MRC Pure Dual Power, 0-21v 7amps on each of two sides, 12-14v fixed output for acc etc, 270 VAC total.  Unit is probably 3-4 yrs old.

Can you suggest how I might proceed?

Pat Coil posted:

Marty Fitzhenry posted:

Are you using an old ZW?  A Z4K or ZW-L will not give you what you have.

Hi Marty,

Since that post I have tried removing the TIU and testing on just conventional power.  Same results, each starts moves a few inches and shuts down.  Connected transformer directly to a 3' test track, no switches, no nothing.  Exact same results as above.

Transformer is MRC Pure Dual Power, 0-21v 7amps on each of two sides, 12-14v fixed output for acc etc, 270 VAC total.  Unit is probably 3-4 yrs old.

Can you suggest how I might proceed?

Forgot to mention, current readings are normal on both the main track and the test track.  Tested each side of the transformer separately on both

Pat,

Can you suggest how I might proceed?

I seem to recall that MRC transformers are not on MTH's list of transformers recommended for use with DCS engines. Can you try using a different transformer?

Does seem like a good next step.  Remember though, the problem exists with or without DCS,  Also DCS worked OK with this transformer until recently

Three engines doing the same thing normally suggests environment and not the individual engines.

I'd take the three engines to a different location and test them.

Sounds like a connection problem in the transformer. You can't test current with a voltmeter. What do the gauges indicate on the transformer when the engine shuts down? A poor connection will work and then disconnect when a heavier load occurs. I have used this transformer without DCS problems for over 6 years, but did have a failure with a direction button that left one handle dead. Can you try a different transformer?

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Three engines doing the same thing normally suggests environment and not the individual engines.

I'd take the three engines to a different location and test them.

I did and they worked fine there

John H posted:

Sounds like a connection problem in the transformer. You can't test current with a voltmeter. What do the gauges indicate on the transformer when the engine shuts down? A poor connection will work and then disconnect when a heavier load occurs. I have used this transformer without DCS problems for over 6 years, but did have a failure with a direction button that left one handle dead. Can you try a different transformer?

Sounds like a logical next step.  BTW I did try both sides of the transformer with identical results.  Thanks for your help

Pat Coil posted:

gunrunnerjohn posted:

Three engines doing the same thing normally suggests environment and not the individual engines.

I'd take the three engines to a different location and test them.

I did and they worked fine there

Well, there's our answer, obviously something in the environment.