DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER’S GUIDE
58
Advanced Wiring
One of the great features of the DCS system is that it is expandable and can be adapted to each
layout. The installation of the system to each layout may differ as the size and complexity of
the layout increase. Here are some general guidelines for installing DCS on larger more com-
plex layouts. Please see MTH’s website, www.protosound2.com, for more articles on layout
wiring.
Multiple TIU Channels/Multiple TIUs
Depending on the size of your layout, you may need to use more than one TIU channel. If your
layout contains more than 300 feet of track and wiring or more than 5 engines on the track at
one time, MTH recommends using more than one TIU channel to maintain a good DCS Track
Signal (see System/Track Signal Test for more information). If you are running engines in
Command Mode only, remember the TIU Variable Channels can be set to Fixed (see Menu/
System/DCS Set Up) and all 4 channels of the TIU can be used (AC power only). For layouts
with more than 1200 feet of track and wire, MTH recommends using multiple TIUs set to
SUPER MODE to maintain a good DCS Track Signal. It is important to understand the DCS
remote sends a command to one TIU or multiple TIUs at the same time and the digital com-
mand for one locomotive is sent to all tracks connected to all TIU channels simultaneously.
Therefore, the train will receive the digital command wherever it is on the layout provided that
section of the layout is connected to a powered TIU. It is also important to remember the DCS
Remote can send commands to one TIU or multiple TIUs depending on the TIU addresses you
instruct the DCS Remote to communicate with (see Menu/System/TIU Set Up/Add TIU).
Wire Management/Track Blocks
Since DCS puts the digital signal on the center rail, digital signal strength may become an
issue as the track and wire length increase. When more than one TIU channel is used, the track
should be separated into blocks. This is easily done by insulating the rails between blocks. In
addition, the wire lengths on a terminal strip should be balanced; the length of wire should be
the same wherever possible to maximize the DCS signal on the track. Therefore, placement of
the TIU and Terminal Blocks should be centralized to minimize the wire length going to the
track.
Top View (40-1029)
Bottom View (40-1029)
Remove Wire to insulate center rail.
Summary of Contents for Digital Command System WIFI
Page 1: ...DCS WiFi Digital Command System User s Guide...
Page 5: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 5 1 Introduction To DCS...
Page 13: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 13 2 Quick Start Command Mode...
Page 23: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 23 3 One Touch Locomotive Operation...
Page 28: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 28 4 Menu Operation Sound...
Page 37: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 37 5 Menu Operation Control...
Page 42: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 42 6 Menu Operation Systems...
Page 54: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 54 7 Advanced Wiring...
Page 62: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 62 Setting up a Programming Track Advanced Wiring...
Page 63: ...DCS WiFi DIGITAL COMMAND SYSTEM USER S GUIDE 63 APPENDIX...