RF out of range questions

Paul,

I was able to use a proto 2 engine on one of the new mainlines but when turning it on it will say out of range but when I stand close to the control panel I can get the engine to function.

Sounds as if a transceiver board may be loose in the TIU, remote or both.

 

Connect (tether) the remote to the TIU's Remote Input port snd see if things improve.

 Also how critical are batteries.... If they have been in the remote for a while will that effect signal.

It could affect signal strength, however, probably not with the symptoms that you're experiencing.

 

Thanks for those tips Barry I hooked up the remote but had no control of the engine but I did have some  control when I disconnected the cable. Speed control works but when I blow the horn I can't get a short blast it goes through the longer blast. I should note that my TIU's are the originals from when the system was introduced. I did have both remotes and both TIU's up loaded by a local hobby shop a while back. Paul

What I found so far is the TIU to the upper mainlines is good to go but the other isn't. I'll check my wiring. However the TIU that is working is hooked to a Z500 could that be making a difference. Thanks Paul

Paul, you ought to describe how you have the TIUs wired and how they are powered.  To clarify your oriignal post, you do not have 2 TIUs or channels therof feeding the same sections of track, do you?

RJR I have four mainlines. Where a mainline joins with another I left a space in the center rail. When I did my rewiring I had two TIU's. From the two Z4000's I ran power to each TIU. I also did the same with the common. From the back of the TIU I ran the power to a terminal block which I divided up into four sections. One for each mainline. But the ground terminal I made all one and from each TIU I ran the ground into that then on to the mainlines. On the TIU for the upper mainlines I can control a DCS engine but on the lower two mainlines it reads as out of RF range. One time in trying it said engine not on track. Thanks Paul

Paul, how are the TIUs themselves powered, through the AUX port or by FIXED 1? 

RJR the TIU that is working I have a Z500 plugged into it. The TIU that is not responding is hooked up through the fixed voltage ports. Thanks Paul.

1. Does the LED in each TIU light up?  Viewed from the input side, look through the top in the lower left hand corner.  If not lit, TIU not getting power.

 

When you turn on power, those LEDs flash.  The number of flashes = the TIU ID, from 1 to 5.  Each TIU should have a different number.  If not, this would be a problem. HAve both TIUs, with different IDs, been entered into the remote?

I just got home RJR. I'll head up to the layout shortly. I'll check for red lights first but I never added the TIU to the remotes. If I am able to control engines on the one remote it is  or must be already recognized. So another thing I will be checking. Thanks Paul

RJR,

Went up and turned the power on. I had a red light on the TIU with the  aux power going to it. The other TIU no light but when I took and plugged in the aux power I had a light. Coming from the transformers I have the wires going to the fixed voltage. Paul

OK, so the second TIU was not powered and now it is.  Now make sure they both have different IDs, before adding it to the remote.  Then set both TIUs toi Super mode on all remotes you have.  You should be good to go.

 

You were probably able to have some control because both TIUs have same ID.

Two TIU's with the same idea really confuses things!  I have one on my test bench and one running the trains.  If I forget and leave the USB plugged in for the bench one, I get all sorts of errors, but sometimes things work.  Very confusing until you realize what's happening.

 

Sorry John. I can't stop laughing! They are thinking of......?????????? Leaving home??

Oops!   They were really just thinking of confusing the crap out of me!

 

I went up and played around with the TIU's. A couple of new questions. Fixed voltage. Does that mean from an auxiliary source. I am running through the fixed voltage on both TIU"s. Should I move my wires to the variable sides to get the red light to come on in the TIU. If not the only way that red light in the TIU comes on is when I use the aux power source which is a Z500. So if I could find another Z500 to add to the other TIU then they would both be working. Right. Thanks Paul

1)The TIU can be powered by the fixed one input. Fixed means that the voltage in = the voltage out. So if the power in is set to full, full is to the track.

2) No! Variable means that the voltage can be varied to the track by the remote. Only fixed one passes voltage to power the TIU.

3) sometimes the little terminal on the aux input of the TIU gets bad. Fixed 1 won't pass power because the little terminals are bent away on the aux port and not touching when the aux plug is removed.

 It is best to power any TIU from the aux input anyways. So yes, if you had a 1 amp 12 volt source to power it. Even a "walwart" that's big enough will work.

I'm wondering if you blew the fuse to fixed #1? When aux power is used and the light is on, do trains run from that TIU channel fixed 1??

Paul, best way toi power the TIU through the AUX port is to buy a wall wart that yields 12-18 volts, between 0.7 and 1.0 amps.  0.5 amp should suffice if there are no AIUs connected.

 

The Variables and Fixed 2 cannot power the TIU.  Trouble with using Fixed 1, rather than the AUX port, is that if you cut the voltage down, you kill the TIU.

 

The term FIXED means that the remote cannot control the voltage coming out of the TIU:  voltage into a fixed = voltage out.  Variable means that inside the TIU is circuitry, controlled by the remote, that can vary the output voltage.

 

GRJ:  Cheer up.  You're in much better shape now that you'll be next month, when you're 31 days older.

Robert,

best way toi power the TIU through the AUX port is to buy a wall wart that yields 12-18 volts, between 0.7 and 1.0 amps.  0.5 amp should suffice if there are no AIUs connected.

How about we stay with at least 1 amp for layout, rather than test track, operations?

Now that I know both my TIU's will operate engines remotely I decided to look for a transformer for the second TIU. I was looking for another Z500 but what else could be  a substitute spec wise on that market that is easy to find locally. Thanks Paul

Depends on your budget.

RJR Budget is not a question. The Z500 that I have I bought years  ago from a now closed hobby shop. It was only the transformer at the time .  The transformer comes with a controller now. If I can't find something compatible that is the way I would go. I just would not need the controller. I just want to find somewhere close to me to get something without going on the internet.................Paul 

Paul, I of course don't know what's in your area.  There are many reputable dealers selling on the internet, with good prices.  I have used Sidetrack Hobbies in Maryland and Just Trains of Delaware.  A friend has highly recommended Legacy Station in Georgia.

 

The optimal is to get a Z4000.  Shopping on the internet, you could probably get one for no more than $399.  It would run everything you have.  Alternatively, many persons use Lionel 180-watt powerhouse transformers.  I will not make any recommendations since I am not familiar with your current and projected operational needs an expectations:  how large is the layout; how many trains will you be running at a time; expansion plans; whether you'll be running conventional as well as DCS; etc. 

 

Do be aware that you should not put any controller between the power brick and a variable input, as there will be too much AC wave distortion

RJR, first I appreciate all the help you have given. Right now I have two Z4000's for my mainlines. I basically run four trains. They range anywhere from conventional to TMCC to DCS to Legacy. Just until this past year I only had one track set up for DCS. Since I rewired the layout I can run the upper mainlines with DCS with the Z500 as the power to the TIU. The other TIU is for the lower mainlines but unless I take the Z500 from the TIU running the upper and plug it into the second TIU that is the only was I can run DCS on the lower mainlines. I already know this works because I tried it so this is why I want to get another Z500 or something equal to it. That way I will have all four mainlines being able to run DCS. Hope I explained this right .......................Paul 

OK, so if I got it straight, you use the brick from a Z500 to power the AUX port of one TIU.  I'd suggest one of 2 ways to go:

 

1. Go to local Radio Shack and but a wall wart.  They have one that has a switch to select either 18 or 24 volts. Get that unit and the appropriate adpater plug for a TIU.  I think it's an M, but am not sure.

 

2. Take 500 brick to Radio Shack and buy a socket that accepts the output plug on the 500, and 2 plugs identical to the 500 output plug.  Make a splitter to feed both TIUs from the one 500.  It should have plenty of power.

 

3. Power the TIU from the 14-volt accessory output of a Z4000. 

Robert,

 

I'm confused.

 

What is the RS wall wart supposed to do? Why not just make the splitter that you describe  and use the Z500 to power both TIUs?

Barry, I listed 3 viable options.  I have no idea how proficient Paul is with a soldering gun to make up a harness, and he may want to take the simplest approach.  I'm sure you will concede all 3 of these options will work, and in fact there may be more.

RJR thanks for the options. You are right soldering in not one of my strong points. But I will mull them all over. Once again all of you thanks for all the help..............Paul

Robert,

 

The only thing that doesn't involve soldering is the RS device. It's name is on page 93 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition.

 

It's the #273-331 "Enercell™ Switchable 18/24VAC 1 AMP Power Adapter with #273-344 Enercell™ Adaptaplug™ M.

 

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!