I am brand new to the forum so forgive me for jumping straight to a question about my DCS Commander by MTH.
Okay, so I have the commander system, and an NS SD70M-2 with proto-sound 3.0. About 2 hours ago it was working perfectly. Applied track power, engine address automatically is selected. Just pressed start up and away it went, with full sound and features. It’s awesome.
Then all of the sudden, nothing. I accidently hit the E-stop, but all you do is unconnect and then reconnect track power. I think I intentionally reset the system for whatever reason. But now I cannot get my loco to run. I apply track power, go into DCS mode, and then I get no engine address, and even when I hit ADD engine, it gives me an error. I cannot fix this. I have tried switching tracks, different wiring but I can’t figure it out.
The kicker is, I can’t even power the locomotive in conventional mode. This is an MTH NS SD70M-2 with proto-sound. It doesn’t make any sense! Because I can put an analog DC Chessie SD40, and run it in conventional mode just fine. WHAT?! I’m so frusterated, I need answers, and I need help. Is it the Loco? I hope not because I love it. Again, it was working about 2 hours ago, and now nothing!
What scale do you model in? DCS is much more accepted in O, while DCC rules in HO and N. There are a few DCS users here, who will hopefull drop by a bit later to help you out.
I would have to agree with all here I have had plenty of bad experience with DCS in O and HO. If you can return it I would MTH HO locos are DCC compatible now. It is not user friendly and conks out for no reason I just had mine serviced and it came back after nearly 3 months in the same condition I mailed it to them in other words not working the xact samething that happened to you. I got maybe two months use out of it before it decided it would do what it wants to do.
Hello again, thank you everyone for your help. To answer some of your questions you had for me…I am modeling in HO scale and no I haven’t contacted MTS support.
So you guys think I should just switch to DCC and get rid of DCS? Funny you mention that because I was considering switching, even after I bought the DCS commander. I was skeptical. I was looking into the NCE power cab, and I was reading deep into the forums here and found a few opinions on it. But for this specific topic, could you guys give me your input on the NCE power cab, if not that, what would you recommend for DCC.
All I wanted was locomotives with sound and lights and smoke if accessible. I know that the DCS controlls only MTH trains. I did not know about any bugs to be honest, couldnt find anything about it, but thankfully I have you guys now to tell me. lol
So switch to DCC. Which control device is best to run an approximately 4’ X 10’ layout? I do wish to have more than one train running at a time so. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Again thanks for the help, I hope it’s not a locomotive issue because I love that thing!
I use Digitrax and like it a lot. NCE is a good brand as well. Both are expandable systems. Both have wireless throttles available. These seem to be the top 2 systems. Joe
I didn’t want to bias your decision earlier, but I do think that’s the best choice. MTH actually makes some nice locomotives, including a few that no one else has produced, but their roster is limited when compared to the universe of other manufacturers. While some DCS engines, including most of the HO scale ones, will run on DCC, no DCC engines will run on DCS. What’s more, you can’t take another engine and put a DCS decoder in it, because MTH doesn’t sell their decoders, only engines. So, if you run DCS, you are limited to what MTH produces, period. With DCC, you can run anyone’s engines, or mix and match from many manufacturers, including MTH.
FYI, I have a Lenz DCC system that I got in 2005. It’s still running well, and I have no complaints. Part of my decision-making process was playing with different throttles. I like the Lenz because the buttons are large and easy to find.
One thing that’s not always obvious about DCC is how and where all DCC systems are interoperable, and how and where they’re not. All decoders will operate with all DCC systems, so everything on the “track side” of the system is compatable. However, everything on the “control” side of the system is not, and, in general, nothing is compatable. You can’t use a Lenz throttle on a Digitrax system, or an NCE throttle on an MRC system. So, make sure you like the available throttles for the system you choose, because that’s what you’ll be using.
On the other hand, don’t be afraid to choose. All of the systems are very good. I would avoid the very low-end “starter” systems like the Bachmann EZ Command, but other than that, you will probably be happy with whatever you choose.
I’m sorry I have lots of questions. It hasn’t been too long since I started model railroading but I had a lionel O27 scale train back in the day. It was nothing special with standard 3-rail track. But the only power I had for that was a throttle lever. I got rid of that and moved to HO not too long ago. The layout I’m building is decent size. 10 feet long. I had a small throttle dial power supply that came with an HO set from like '98.
I’m obviously a fan of MTH. But now that I look at it, all brands in HO are pretty detailed. I’m leaning towards the NCE Power Cab because it looks simple but with a variety of features. I’ve heard good things about Digitrax but I feel there stuff is a bit pricey and look a bit more difficult to install. (I’m purely just going off of what I see) So I am just undecided still. What about MRC? Again pricey, but apparently I’ve heard its top notch.
I just want something that gives my layout realistic trains and a prototypical atmosphere.
Thanks again so much guys, I really appreciate it.
I’ve been using the Power Cab since it first came out in 2006 and like it very much. I find both the buttons and the LCD screen prompts intuitive.
I don’t know if this will be helpful or not but here’s a link to an initial review and impression that I wrote about the Power Cab right after I bought it. It’s worth noting that a few things have changed with the most recent Power Cabs (V1.65) that weren’t available with the original V1.1 Power Cabs when I wrote the review:
Increase from 2 to 6 recall slots
Increase from 13 functions (F0-F12) to 29 (F0-F28) functions
Function refresh added - This helps keep the light and sound functions working on locomotives that don’t remember the state of their functions on dirty track
Ability to run in both normal and “yard” modes
Increase from 2 to 4 cab slots, plus 3(?) auxillary slots
Anyhow, the newest Power Cabs - although no different externally - add more function with its current operating system (OS).
I have the NCE PRO cab. Its look and feel is the same. You would not be disappointed. To go with NCE you almost need to like the huge hammer head throttle. I did not like that at first. I have finally gotten used to lugging one around all day at the museum. I also do have the smaller cab-04 and cab-06s so there are more light weight options . And this is where I agree totally with MisterBeasley - I recommend choosing a system based on the throttles. That is your interface to the system and that is what you will be dealing with more than anything else. Many systems make both knob controlled or button controlled throttles for their systems.
Back to the NCE topic more and more people I know (and operate on their layouts) are switching to the NCE system. Makes it kind of nice I don’t have to remember which brand of throttle to take with me.
BTW In addition to the NCE ProCabR I also own the Lenz System 100 (which I consider my primary), A Digitrax Zephyr, the NCE twin, a CVP Easy DCC, and two really old MRC systems.
I can highly recommend the radio option. Not having to be tethered to the layout is great.
I believe any of the systems would be able to handle that.
Thanks again guys. The last few posts really helped out. I’ve pondered it all day and I think I’ve decided on the Power Cab. Its the cheaper starter system with lots of features and functions so I feel that is good for me. In the future I will more than likely consider more in depth, high tech DCC controllers.
I was just thinking though, going back to the original topic. You all helped pretty much solve my issue about the DCS except for one. It doesn’t make sense that the locomotive wouldn’t even run in conventional mode…does it? My non-DCC loco ran under track voltage. Why wouldn’t my SD70 run on conventional mode?
Actually, ad, if and when you want to upgrade than all you have to do is add the Power Cab (as is) to the NCE Powerhouse (PH) Pro and it automatically becomes a ProCab throttle. No modifications necessary.
And, since the Power Cab retains its original function and portability, you can use it to program locomotives away from your layout - e.g. at your bench or at a friend’s house. All you need is the PCP panel, wall transformer, and a section of track. I put mine on a 30" long piece of 1x 4.
And, in that regard, I will give a resounding recommendation to the NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system which I have to run my DCC layout. Two years ago, I converted it to wireless by adding a wireless base station and antenna. My two Pro Cab throttles were converted to wireless by sending them in to NCE for modification.
I looked up prices for the NCE powerhouse pro, and its a bit high but I see the controller there as well. Can you purchase the powerhouse transformer alone? I’m a bit confused.
Unfortunately I know very little about DCS. However; re-reading your original post it sounds like you reset the control unit but never tried to re-set the loco. There should be some process to go through that resets the individual locomotive back to factory defaults. Just a thought.
I honestly looked everywhere and it said nothing about resetting the locomotive, or any information on how to do it. If that is the case with the new controller I don’t know where to find info on it.
The manual for the loco didn’t explain anything like that, nor did the commander. so… i don’t know!