Seems like TIU not communicating with track...

Just a couple of things you could check out without taking anything apart.

1... press the 'read' on the dcs remote.... Does the read find the tiu?

2.... With proto-2 the red connection on the tiu output must go to the center rail,

3'.. Try removing any TMCC engines from the track..

Thanks Gregg for the quick reply!

1. Yes sees TIU 1

2. Yes, red to center rail

3. Yes, have removed all tmcc to include the base unit 

It was working great and while using it the communications to the DCS engine was lost.  Tried other DCS engines and they all boot conventional now (they worked fine yesterday...)

Thanks again!

Mike

Did someone press the remote buttons to turn the DCS signal off?

Is the red LED light on inside the TIU?

How are you powering the TIU? input #1?

Hi Joe,

Yes, I checked the DCS "On" setting and also factory re-set both remote and TIU.

Yes, red LED is on inside the TIU

Yes, I have a MTH Z-1000 brick to Fixed 1 and using track 1 only.

Thanks again,

Mike

Do you have any TMCC engines on these rails?

Any lighted cars?

Something seems to be killing the signal. Try just connecting your TIU to a single piece of track and use 1 engine to test for signal.

Is this TIU a version "L"?

Hi Joe,

Just tried it, just the MTH PS2 engine on single section of track and same results, engine boots conventional, remote can see the TIU but cannot see nor add the engine.

Yes, brand new Ver "L" set.  worked fine the few times I've used it until mid-session today...

Thanks again, Mike

1 more test then.

Try using fixed #1 to the test track.

Something is not correct if the engines fire right up. I'm overlooking something easy here!

Hi Joe,

Yes, I'm using fixed 1 in and fixed 1 out to the track.

Got me scratching my head too!

Thanks again, Mike

i would go into dcs setting and turn all on and then try. also if still not working reset tiu from remote and then try dcs and engines. have you dropped the remote. if the remote was dropped you might have the transmitter board came loose inside. one easy way to test is try a different remote if you have another  remote  or borrow one from a friend .if still not working after all these tests try resetting remote as well.

on tiu power up have many times does the red led inside the tiu blink?

should blink 1 time!

report back any other things you find out

Alan

Hi Alan,

Yes, TIU blinks once and have turned on all in DCS.  Have not dropped either component.  Just to see, I added the TMCC base unit back in and I can still add & run TMCC engines.  Looks like the remote to TIU is working.  The issue seems to be DCS comms btwn TIU and track/engine.

Thanks again,  Mike

Power Fixed one it and use jumper to Fix 2 in.  Send Fix 2 out to track.  Does it work now?  You may have a damaged Fixed 1.  G

At work now (need to pay for the toys!) but I'll try that when I get home this afternoon.  Assume adding a brick to fixed 2 in and moving the track to fixed 2 out will accomplish the same thing?  Also thinking (just to see) of changing out the test track section & feed wires.  

I read about a "floating transceiver" in the DCS companion book...I would think that if the fix is in the book it has also made it to the production line, but could that be the issue? 

I do believe (at this point) the issue is inside the TIU case...

Thanks again as always!

Mike

You must still power tiu.  Only gets power from fix 1 or aux power.  So you need jumper if no second brick. G

Mike,

   GGG is giving you good advise, I will add one more thing, I always power my TIU from it's own Aux power source.  You might want to try doing this also.

PCRR/Dave 

Looks to me like Fixed 1 is shot  .Try fixed 2 keeping in mind the tiu must also be powered up with power to fixed 1 or an aux power supply.

( jumper fixed 1 in over to fixed 2 in  with a couple of wires and fixed 2 out to the track for testing)

Thanks all for the insights!  I'll try these things as soon as I get home and report back early this evening...

S/F Mike

Hi All,

Got home and tried all the things suggested with the same results.  I can only assume at this point that some TIU internal HW component in the DCS path has gone bad....

Open to your ideas and likely need to start the RMA process with MTH tomorrow...

Thanks again,

Mike

Maybe try a very small test track with 1 engine.  

Hi Gregg,

Yes, that is all I'm using right now is about 14" of straight track and a terminal lock-on...

S/F Mike

I think you're beat.... The engines should remain dark & silent upon the tiu powering up.  Either the dcs signal is turned off (why would it be) or the track feeders are reversed.  Not the case. 

Thanks Gregg & all for the assist.  I must assume at this point that some defective component in the DCS comms path went out after working for a brief time.  I have the set boxed for return and hope to have it back in a few weeks...

Thanks again, S/F Mike

Wow. All four channels went. It will be interesting to learn what happened here.

There were some complaints over variable channels having problems I think?