Start up conundrum

How is the TIU wired? Does it power up prior to the Z400 and track voltage? If so, there is a short time for the DCS "watchdog" signal and after that the engines think they are running conventional. (Never had it occur to all engines so just a guess.)

I have an m1000 brick connected to the tiu and a z 4000 powering the layout along with a ZW powering the switch machines connected to a power strip. Sequence has always been power strip, Z 4000 and hand held . ZW and brick come on with the power strip.

Something's really messed up. Even if your engines miss the watch dog  signal  they should start up in  neutral (conventional mode) unless they're all locked in forward. I doubt that. 

Is everything Ok ( engines dark & silent) until you turn on the remote ?

Several engines light up on power up by themselves. All are PS3. I then have to shut them down and then read track prior to start up.

I always turn on DCS remote first just in case this happens. Then track power.  Because it does happen and like you said full speed. sometimes I hit the direction button and that will make them stop. but then they immediately take off at full speed in reverse. I notice the more engines on track the more likely this is to happen. PS3 engines,   my PS2 seem to behave

I immediately power down the z4000 and the engines can then be started normally. I'm just wondering what happened to precipitate this change.

 Since it just started acting up ,perhaps a loose connection someplace??   TIU  ? track? terminal block?

Most of our stuff is proto-2 and  and runs really well.  (4 tiu in super no wifi)  Seems proto-3 can be a problem at times.

I'll certainly check all connections.

Hey Tom M....and Clem.....I have the same problem (SOMETIMES),......so now I turn on my remote first so if I have to shut something down  quickly I can. I only have PS3 engines and at time sthey will start up on their own when power is turned on. I have tried every possible remote ...transformer...tiu startup sequence and have now got it nailed down to this. 1. Turn remote on. 2. Have voltage on transformer set to max 20 volt output and turn it on. I have not had an issue with the startuo for the past month since ive been doing it this way. I read in Barrys book that the proto engine needs to see the watchdog signal right away or it (gets confused..lol). So blasting the track with max volt and signal seems to have worked at least it has so far. I thought it might have been TIU version (I'm I3..not L) but I was told that shouldn't be an issue. But since being a forum member I have been reading weird things about proto3 engines. Many memebers make it sound like proto 2 was better.....so to wrap up my diatribe....Good Luck and keep us informed..Thx

TheHeat posted:

Hey Tom M....and Clem.....I have the same problem (SOMETIMES),......so now I turn on my remote first so if I have to shut something down  quickly I can. I only have PS3 engines and at times they will start up on their own when power is turned on. I have tried every possible remote ...transformer...tiu startup sequence and have now got it nailed down to this.

1. Turn remote on.

2. Have voltage on transformer set to max 20 volt output and turn it on.

I have not had an issue with the start up for the past month since ive been doing it this way. I read in Barrys book that the proto engine needs to see the watchdog signal right away or it (gets confused..lol). So blasting the track with max volt and signal seems to have worked at least it has so far. I thought it might have been TIU version (I'm I3..not L) but I was told that shouldn't be an issue. But since being a forum member I have been reading weird things about proto3 engines. Many members make it sound like proto 2 was better.....so to wrap up my diatribe....Good Luck and keep us informed..Thx

maybe you should read this thread about your statement of "max 20" volts.

https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...0-voltage-to-run-dcs

ok BIG DODGE....I read the thread and will try turning it down to 18v....if anything to prevent less heat generation at the engines board....thx

You can’t set the voltage on a Z4000 then turn it on. You have to turn it on then set the voltage. The 18v is only an issue for Lionel locomotives. The electronics are only rated to handle 18 volts max. MTH locos can take the 20 volts but I only ever run at 18 as standard practice to avoid issues.

I have altered the start up sequence to no avail. I'll keep you posted.Thanks all.

Is there a new engine or accessory on the layout?  You just need to start halving the problem until you isolate it.  Last think done to layout, trains, power???? G

Nothing new nothing out of the ordinary