I added a new MTH engine(PS-2 equipped) to my DCS handheld unit the other day and had to add it four times before it took it succesfully. I added it with another DCS engine(PS-2 equipped) on the same track and both engines started up at the same time with only one being accessed. Finally to solve the problem I took off the older engine and added the new one by itself and then deleted the first one and added it again to get things working right.
My question is this a normal thing for DCS or what? Do I need to change the batteries in my handheld unit?
Lee F.
If i’m recalling correctly, the best way to add an engine in DCS is to have a separate track. Second best is on the layout, with NO other engines on the track being used. Also, the 4.01 version of DCS has been documented as being very unfriendly to adding engines. I’m still at 3.1, just too darn lazy to upgrade-- and it’s working fine–so why should i mess with sucess???
The newest version 4.1 has so far been mostly bug free, and the adding engine problems are gone. You will need to download and use the newest verion of the loader program (2.0), as 4.1 needs to have it to succeed.
HTH–
DCS, add engine on its OWN track. No other engines on the track. That is how you can do Lionel TMCC lashups with DCS. Two on same track and both engines get same number.
Thanks for the help!
I had to load each engine as you suggested, one at a time on one track, otherwise both engines got assigned same number even though the handheld listed them separetely. I am using the 3.1 version of DCS as I couldn’t get the download to go to my DCS base, had computer and/or cable issue. Got the download to my computer but couldn’t get the download to move on from there.
Lee F.
Once you add an engine to your Handheld, one on the track at a time, then you can put all your engines on the track at the same time, if you want, and control them all by “flipping” the Handheld Menu.
I’ve had no problems with version 4.1 of DCS. In downloading you must use the new icon based “Loader Program”. The TIU and Handheld should BOTH be upgraded to the same software version. First the TIU (Handheld not plugged in or turned on) (audio jumper plug in place). FOLLOW THE POWER UP SEQUENCE on your computer screen. To upgrade the Handheld, remove the audio jumper from the TIU, use a 4 wire coiled phone cord from the Handheld to the TIU, get the right Phone Port on the TIU!, there are two.
If you computer to TIU cord is Serial to Serial, no problem. If you buy a USB to Serial cord you may have to load into your computer a program disc supplied by the cord maker.