If you're lazy, you could forgo changing anything on the TIU and just move the banana plugs on the output from fixed #1 to variable #1.  Power both the fixed and variable channels all the time on the input side.

I have my test track setup this way, and when I want to test conventional, I just move the output side plug from fixed to variable and have at it.  To go back to DCS, I move the plug back to the fixed channel.

There's no need to fiddle with the DCS Menus to toggle between Fixed and Variable modes on Variable 1 (or 2).

Just leave the variable channels set to fixed. Then, adjust voltage up from 0 on Variable 1 using the TR screen. This will put the variable channel into variable mode for the duration of the operating session.

When power to the TIU and remote is cycled off and on next time, the channel will revert to fixed mode of operation.

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!

Barry,

I went back and tried your method and here's the changes I made to my procedure:

Controlling Conventional Engines Using the DCS TIU, Handheld Remote, and Z-750 Brick

A.  Changing From DCS To Conventional

1. With power OFF, ensure there are no engines on track
2. Turn ON power to TIU and Handheld Remote
3. Press TR button
4. Select 1:TIU1 VAR1 with Thumbwheel
5. Screen should display – VOLTS:0.0 and 1:TIU1 VAR1
6. Turn OFF power to TIU
7. Place Conventional engine on track
8. Turn ON power to TIU to control engine

B.  Changing From Conventional to DCS

1. With power OFF, ensure there are no engines on track
2. Turn ON power to TIU and Handheld Remote
3. Press MENU
4. Select SYSTEM with Thumbwheel
5. Select DCS SETUP with Thumbwheel
6. Select VARIABLE 1 and press S5 (to change from VAR1 to FIXED)
7. Press MENU twice
8. Turn OFF power to TIU
9. Place PS2 engine on track
10. Turn ON power to TIU
11. Select the PS2 engine that you want to control from the menu list on the Handheld Remote
12. Press STARTUP to control engine

Power has to be turned off when placing a conventional engine on a track that is powered up for DCS/PS2, otherwise there'll be full voltage on the track and the engine will race away.  Actually, from what we've said on previous posts, we should ALWAYS turn power off when placing/removing an engine on/from the track.

I tried the procedure again and I got an RF OUT OF RANGE message.  I re-sorted the steps in the "Changing From Conventional to DCS" paragraph to get rid of the message and shorten the number of steps:

Controlling Conventional Engines

Changing From DCS To Conventional

1. With power OFF, ensure there are no engines on track
2. Turn ON power to Handheld Remote
3. Press TR button
4. Select 1:TIU1 VAR1 with Thumbwheel
5. Screen should display – VOLTS:0.0 and 1:TIU1 VAR1
6. Place Conventional engine on track
7. Turn ON power to TIU to control engine

Changing From Conventional To DCS

1. With power OFF, remove Conventional engine and place PS2 engine on track
2. Turn ON power to TIU and Handheld Remote
3. Press MENU
4. Select SYSTEM with Thumbwheel
5. Select DCS SETUP with Thumbwheel
6. Select VARIABLE 1 and press S5 (to change from VAR1 to FIXED)
7. Press MENU twice (to get back to main screen)
8. Select the PS2 engine from menu that you want to control
9. Press STARTUP to control engine

What I like about the PowerMasters:  one sliding switch from Conv. to Command!

Bob,

There's no need to go to the DC Menu at all.

First, set both variable channels to Fixed one time. Then, to run conventional:

• Go to the TR screen and select the track to run on.
• Vary power as needed via the TR screen.

To run command:

• Turn off remote  and TIU
• Turn on remote and TIU

Well, Barry, that's even easier than my method.

Barry,

I tried that and it didn't work, if the handheld is setup for conventional running, when I turned the handheld (and the TIU) off and back on, (after removing the conventional engine and putting the PS2 engine on the track) the screen still displayed:

VOLTS:0.0 and 1:TIU1 VAR1

That's why I had to go to the MENU and make the selection.

I'll try again.

Easiest would be in Conv. at all times!  But then you would not be able to run the command features with in.

Dominic,

The "hardest" part of this is me remembering what to do

I've got a "cheat sheet" now so all is well.  I could make it easier if I would simply create a couple of blocks so I can store PS2 engines in one place and Conventional engines in another, without taking them off the track.

I still need to try Barry's last procedure again, but what I have works.

What would be easiest is if all my engines were RC controlled so no voltage would ever get to the track, just pick up a throttle, select the engine, and go.

Bob,

I tried that and it didn't work

Did you first set both variable channels to Fixed modes?

That has to be done once and never reset them to variable mode. Ths way, when power is cycled to the DCS, the system will revert to being set up for DCS control.

When you go to the TR screen, select a track and scroll up the voltage, the system goes into variable mode for the duration of the session.

When power is turned off, the next time power is turned on, the variable channels are back in fixed mode.

I made yet another approach--bridged the inputs to Fixed and Variable 1, and then ran the outputs through a DPDT switch mounted in a project enclosure that also includes block toggles for the three sidings of my test track. I select the mode I want, and power up the system, addressing the desired output.

I may be complicating matters, though

---PCJ

Did you first set both variable channels to Fixed modes?

Barry, I don't recall, but I doubt it.  I "assumed" (there I go again) that if the output was not connected to the track then there was no need.  All I have presently is the inputs of Fixed 1 and Variable 1 jumpered (with the Z750 brick coming in) and Variable 1 output going to the track.

I'll give this a try later today (gonna go hit some golf balls this morning).

RailRide, I'll probably do much the same thing once I decide where I want my sidings blocked and buy a couple of toggle switches.