I just bought the mth dcs command system. Is there a way to wire the system to switch back and forth from command to conventional. I want to use the transformer to control the trains in conventional mode when my son is using the train.
What engines do you want your son to run in conventional mode[?]
How old is your son [?]
My son is six years old. I want him to run all the trains. I can unplug the command base and he can run the lionel trains. He just got a csx gp 40 photo 2 engine.
Are you using only one channel of your DCS?
2
I am not sure if this will work but here it is.
Use a DPDT switch from the transformer before the TUI. ON one side of the output switch, send the wires to the TUI, on the other side of the output, send it two the track lockon.
You will then set the switch to DCS for command or to Coventional for transformer to track.
You will have to do this for both channels. The switches will have to be both set the same way.
As I said, I am not sure if this will give your DCS single any problems.
Do think I should add a diode in the output line from the tui to the track. It would prevent voltage going to the tui when I’m in conventional mode.
Here’s how I wired mine: I put the switch after the TIU. I have 2 loops, so i used a 4Pole DT switch. The wires to the track go to the center contacts; the wires from the TIU output go to one set of outside contacts, the other outside contacts are wired to the transformer outputs( Along with the wires that go to the TIU inputs).
The TIU is powered by a 16V 1A wall wart transformer, and I unplug it from the outlet when I’m running conventional.
There is another way to run conventional-- and I just tried it! Since the FIXED channels are straight through connections in the TIU, as long as the TIU is NOT powered up, there is no DCS signal. Normally, FIXED 1 input will power the TIU. IF you put a plug into the AUX POWER input jack, then the TIU switches to aux power. since you are NOT applying power via the AUX power input, there is NO DCS signal. You can buy the power plug at Radio Shack— it’s a type M plug, P/N 274-1569. Using this method, you would not need to rewire your connections—
I’m assuming that you can vary the transformer output, as you did not mention what transformer you are using----
HTH!
Willpick - very good point.
If you use fix channels 1 and 2 and power the TIU for aux power, and do not turn on the TIU, it will not pass the DCS single to the track, but the transformer voltage will still pass thru.
Therefore you can run both convention and command engines in conventional mode via the transformer. Just DO NOT trun on the TIU. Have the aux power supply pluged into a strip and trun it on and off from there.
When you wi***o run command, trun on the TIU.
With this way of doing it, if you plan on running conventional engines, it would always be via the transformer.
I am confused as to why you need to change the wiring at all. I run through the TIU variable channels (not the fixed channels) then I can run both conventional and PS2 at the same time. I Set the variable wherever I want the max voltage (Usually 17V), then just run the conventional train off the transformer control.
Jim H
Jim - He wishes his 6 year old who I assume can not read yet to run the trains.
willpick,
I installed the m plug into the aux power jack and the trains work great in conventional mode. I have new ZW and I can control 2 loops through the fixed output jacks. I did not have to rewire anything. When I want to run the train in command, I can just unplug the cord from the aux power port / or I can add additional power to the tiu. Thank you!!