BromsMods

13 hours ago, ELTEL said:

I found a issue this evening  when switched on after tea for which I have found the solution.

 

The slave handset needs to be unplugged on powering up the system, then plugged in.

 

You live and learn.

 

Terry 

Sorry Terry. I had forgotten about that......

Yes, if used as a slave (using the curly cable) it will access macros from the PowerCab controlling throttle (which is also the command station).  Assuming the slave throttle is also a PowerCab you will need to change its cab address to 3 when used in this way. When you want to use it as a PowerCab again you will have to set the cab address back to 2.

Yes.  Just check that your second controller (the slave) has a different throttle address to the main controller.  Are you using a PowerCab or PowerPro system?

No, both options are available by keeping the SHIFT/ESC key pressed down and then press the SELECT key twice to access an accessory or press three times to select the macro you want to initiate.

15 hours ago, Crosland said:

 

TCS went legal with DCC Concepts around 10 years ago but, as far as I know, little came of it.

 

Not quite right.  You won't (or shouldn't) find DCC Concepts decoders for sale in the US.  Cost TCS a shedload of money to achieve that legal outcome.

I don't have instructions for an M3 decoder that old but I do have instructions for an M4 for the same period.  It looks to me that these older decoders don't have the ability to remap functions or provide the date of production, so I'm afraid that it appears your M3 won't do what you want of it.

Exactly how old is the decoder, Keith?  You can find out using the following:

Version Number
Version Number CV 7
When major bug fixes or upgrades are done to the software in the decoder the version number is updated. For troubleshooting tech support representatives at TCS may ask for the version number which can be read out of CV 7.
Date Code
Month Programmed
CV 250
Day Programmed
CV 251
Year Programmed
CV 252
Each decoder that is programmed has the date it is programmed stored in CV’s 250, 251, and 252. If you contact TCS with a software related glitch or concern reading out the date code can help us identify when your decoder was made and more succinctly diagnose the problem.

Have you tried resetting the decoder back to defaults before programming CV35?

Have you tried setting the output to F4 (CV35=32) or F6 (CV35=126)?  Did that work?

Out of interest, if you set CV37 to a value of 4 can you then control the green output on F7?

Can you just clarify whether it is a PowerPro (with black box command station) or a PowerCab system you are using?

Info for TCS decoders can be found at https://tcsdcc.com/documentation#compguide

To reset to defaults put 2 into CV8.  The fact that the version number is 88 means that firmware installed was produced in the latter period of the time span between 2012 and 2018 so the document link provided above is relevant to these decoders.

Default value for CV49 is 0.  I would have expected the required jumpers to have been supplied with the product rather than having to solder between pins, which is something that I, personally, would not recommend.  If you want to upgrade your command system to something more powerful in the future it is much easier to move a jumper on each PSX rather then have to desolder and resolder.

As an alternative to programming CV49 you can also set the correct trip current for the PowerCab by making sure that J6 has jumpers across pins 1 and 2,

As per the instructions which came with the device did you program CV49 on each PSX with a value of 01 via the PowerCab? If not, that is possibly the reason you are getting this issue, as identified by Andrew.

Sadly I have had to stop running TCS UK because of health and age issues.

You cannot change the speed step display - see https://docs.tcsdcc.com/wiki/UWT-100#Change_Speed .

14 hours ago, steve45 said:

Am I correct in thinking you don't need to program the PSX at all if you simply connect a jumper from J6-2 to J6-1 to obtain 1.27 amperes or is there another reason why I should set an address for the PSX to program something else?

 

That's correct.  You can see (or download) the manual from https://tonystrains.com/pdf/dcc_specialties/PSX-Manual-Rev-N-Software-Rev-L-Booklet.pdf

Please note that it is no longer possible to order TCS products via the uk.tcsdcc.com website but go to Digitrains or Coastal DCC to order within the UK or use the tcsdcc.com website to order products that are not held within UK retail outlets.

Mmmm.. I got a surprise as well, but it is nearly 7 years since their last price increase.

I have just been informed that TCS is increasing prices from 21st January - for full details see https://mailchi.mp/tcsdcc/vote-for-tcs-throttle-in-Hornby-model-railway-awards-13556710?e=853a8aad24

I have just been informed that TCS is increasing prices from 21st January - for full details see https://mailchi.mp/tcsdcc/vote-for-tcs-throttle-in-Hornby-model-railway-awards-13556710?e=853a8aad24

Please note that the online ordering site for UK customers is https://uk.tcsdcc.com/ . However, TCS are in the process of running down stock here as they once again make their products available through retail outlets.

Just a heads up that, whilst the Bromsgrove Models website has now closed, the TCS UK website is still functional.  Having said that I have managed to get the management at TCS to reappraise their sales strategy and TCS products are once again going to be available through retail outlets in the UK.  This process has already started and Digitrains, Coastal DCC and DCC Train Automation should have stocks soon, if not already.  I am hoping that more retail outlets will be added to the list in the next few months.  Any retailers interested in taking up TCS products should contact me direct.

Whilst the stocks of TCS products start to grow in retail outlets the direct ordering option will continue but stocks will gradually be run down so if you are hoping to purchase from TCS UK please use the web address given in the post above.

From the manual:

Wide Range of Current Trip Setting: The breaker trip current can be adjusted over a range of 1.27 to 10.2 amperes. With additional cooling, the PSX can handle up to 19.1 amperes. Trip current values are selected by setting a CV. Certain selected values can be set by placing jumpers on the board. Default trip current is about 4 amperes, which will work correctly for most layouts.

J6 – Sets the current trip level. When CV49=00 [default] the trip current is 3.81 amperes if no jumpers are installed. If J6-2 is connected to J6-1 and J6-4 to J6-3 is open, then the current trip is 1.27 amperes. This is the correct setting for the NCE Power Cab. If J6-4 is connected to J6-3 and J6-2 to J6-1 is open, then the current trip is 6.35 amperes. If J6-4 is connected to J6-3 and J6-2 is connected to J6-1, then the current trip is 8.89 amperes.

17 hours ago, AndrueC said:

I installed a separate circuit breaker (a PSX-AR) that cuts the power and screams its head off. Most important it requires manual resetting.

Just to clarify, the PSX-AR is for use where a loop of track requires an auto-reverser to prevent short circuits.  For straightforward short circuit protection the PSX-1 is an excellent piece of equipment and has a sufficiently low cutout setting to protect the Powercab. On my PowerPro 5a system I use a PSX-4 which provides protection for 4 track power outlets; this helps to simplify short circuit detection on a large layout as well as provide the protection required.

Just as sensible is the TCS EUN651 (https://uk.tcsdcc.com/eun651/)