Curious MTH DCS

[steveturner]

Guys if you have a MTH loco do you need their DCS system to programme changes? I realise you can use DCC functions but how about changes to the loco like ditch light function changes in programming. Thanks.Steve

[Mark R.]

They may be different now, but at one point, you had to have their DCS system to make permanent CV changes to the decoder. You could make CV changes with a standard DCC system, and they would take, but as soon as the engine was powered down and powered back up, all the changes reverted back to the MTH settings.

That's been my experience from a while back. Haven't played with any of the later releases aside from taking a pair of side cutters to everything that had a wire attached to it and replacing it with something more intelligent.

Mark.

[bnsf971]

Aug 4, 2019 12:09:57 GMT -8 steveturner said:

Guys if you have a MTH loco do you need their DCS system to programme changes? I realise you can use DCC functions but how about changes to the loco like ditch light function changes in programming. Thanks.Steve

If it's a newer model, you can change things like the address, momentum, starting voltage, and whether it responds as DCC or DCS. You can't change things like ditch lights to make them flash or not flash.

[jonklein611]

From their catalog:

"Right out of the box, every Proto-Sound 3.0 engine is compatible with all operating systems: conventional DC, DCC, and our own Digital Command System (DCS). "

"Proto-Sound 3.0-equipped locomotives can be controlled in command mode with any DCC-compliant command control system. This means you can use your existing DCC controller to independently control your other DCC-equipped locomotives in addition to your Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotives on the same track at the same time. When using a DCC controller, the following Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotive features are accessible:"

mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/HO%202019%20Catalog%206-14-19_lores_weblinks.pdf

From their 2011 newsletter:

August 17, 2011 - Owners of M.T.H. HO diesel and electric locomotives equipped with M.T.H.'s Proto-Sound 3.0 onboard digital sound and decoder package can now upgrade their locomotives with new DCC features via a FREE software download from the M.T.H. website using DCS hardware. The new features will be accessible with most DCC controllers.
EXPANDED DCC FEATURES INCLUDE
Function Mapping
Advanced Consisting
Programming Track Support
Custom Speed Curves

The additional features were developed based on user feedback as to what the most popular and needed functions should be included on M.T.H. models. In total, the Proto-Sound 3.0 system now supports 109 CVs.

Upgrading the software requires the M.T.H. DCS Digital Command System and the latest Consumer Loader software (Version 2.30). You can learn more about the Consumer Loader by clicking here. Customers who don't have access to a DCS system should contact an M.T.H. Authorized Service Center to learn if they offer the upgrading service. While the software is free, a nominal service fee may be charged by a service center.

[bnsf971]

Aug 5, 2019 3:14:57 GMT -8 jonklein611 said:

From their catalog:

"Right out of the box, every Proto-Sound 3.0 engine is compatible with all operating systems: conventional DC, DCC, and our own Digital Command System (DCS). "

"Proto-Sound 3.0-equipped locomotives can be controlled in command mode with any DCC-compliant command control system. This means you can use your existing DCC controller to independently control your other DCC-equipped locomotives in addition to your Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotives on the same track at the same time. When using a DCC controller, the following Proto-Sound 3.0 locomotive features are accessible:"

mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/HO%202019%20Catalog%206-14-19_lores_weblinks.pdf

From their 2011 newsletter:

August 17, 2011 - Owners of M.T.H. HO diesel and electric locomotives equipped with M.T.H.'s Proto-Sound 3.0 onboard digital sound and decoder package can now upgrade their locomotives with new DCC features via a FREE software download from the M.T.H. website using DCS hardware. The new features will be accessible with most DCC controllers.
EXPANDED DCC FEATURES INCLUDE
Function Mapping
Advanced Consisting
Programming Track Support
Custom Speed Curves

The additional features were developed based on user feedback as to what the most popular and needed functions should be included on M.T.H. models. In total, the Proto-Sound 3.0 system now supports 109 CVs.

Upgrading the software requires the M.T.H. DCS Digital Command System and the latest Consumer Loader software (Version 2.30). You can learn more about the Consumer Loader by clicking here. Customers who don't have access to a DCS system should contact an M.T.H. Authorized Service Center to learn if they offer the upgrading service. While the software is free, a nominal service fee may be charged by a service center.

Go ahead and program those flashing ditch lights to continuously on using your DCC system and report the results here.

[steveturner]

Thanks guys.It seems initialy you need the DCS machine to programme changes then you can use your DCC functions. So one needs a DCS machine if one has a MTH loco if you require to make function changes but not to play functions as programmed via DCC.Thanks