Can I control my TIU variable channels using the WiFi module and the DCS APP on my apple device?

You need to buy the app upgrade.

Yes, have controlled the variable channels using the app. Again, unfortunately- they chose IMO crippling their DCS controls and trying to milk more money from users.

I searched and found this older detail on the versions https://mthelectrictrains.acti...87691d356176df9.2527

April 19, 2017 – M.T.H. Electric Trains has released the DCS Premium version of its smartphone and tablet app for controlling a DCS layout wirelessly to the Apple App Store and Google Play store. The apps should be appearing in the stores today, April 18th. Current users of the FREE or STANDARD versions of the app will be able to obtain the Premier version via an in-app purchase. Users may have to manually update the app in order for the Premium in-app purchase link to appear.

First announced in 2014, the app is now available in three versions:

• a FREE version with control of 3 locomotives and limited features
• a $4.99 STANDARD version with full locomotive control (I take to imply this means variable channels)
• The all-new $24.99 PREMIUM version, which provides the user with full DCS control

The apps communicate with a separately sold DCS WiFi Interface Unit (WIU). Any Android tablet or smartphone and Apple iPhone or iPad will bring the DCS Digital Command System to life in a way never thought possible when first paired with a DCS remote control. Any of these smart devices can run the new apps.

The DCS Premium App allows operators to control an entire layout in command or conventional modes without using a DCS handheld remote. A TIU (Track Interface Unit) along with the separately sold DCS WIU is required for app control over the layout. Simply plug the module into the TIU, search for its WiFi signal on the phone or tablet, and begin running a DCS layout in command mode in no time.

The PREMIUM App also requires an update to the software powering the DCS Track Interface Unit (TIU). The new DCS software (Version 6.00) is available on the M.T.H. Website via a FREE DOWNLOAD. In order to load the DCS Version 6.0 software into the TIU and Remote, users must use the FREE DCS Windows Loader program to install the software. Older versions of the DCS Loader Program will not work on the new DCS Version 6.0 software.

Thanks Vernon,

I have the latest versions of the APP, the apple IOS, the firmware upgrades on the TIU etc and have had them running for quite a while now.  I do have the Premium version of the APP so I can run over 50x PS2/3 locos.  You certainly can't do that without the APP upgrade

I managed to get Variable 1 output running today but it seems you can only set the minimum track voltage down to 5V.  In reality it measures about 8.5V on the track, and yes the locos end up running almost too fast at 9V!   Can this 5V minimum be set any lower?

However I couldn't get the Variable 2 output to work.  How do you select the Variable 2 output in the APP?

Cheers Pete

@PeteDownUnder posted:

I managed to get Variable 1 output running today but it seems you can only set the minimum track voltage down to 5V.  In reality it measures about 8.5V on the track, and yes the locos end up running almost too fast at 9V!   

Can this 5V minimum be set any lower? NO

However I couldn't get the Variable 2 output to work.

How do you select the Variable 2 output in the APP? Simply use the drop down selection menu just like an engine.

First off, the problem is, the TIU physically is not measuring voltage- input or output. Both the DCS remote and APP displaying any voltage regarding the variable channel is kind of a bogus thing. MTH says it is approximate voltage when feeding the TIU with 21-22V input, however we know that's not accurate and again, it's not measured and should not be treated like it's a measured voltage. Again, I think it's really a problem it's even labeled voltage- as that gives the user the wrong impression. It's simply a variable rate, from 0, jumping to bare minimum pass through, variable all the way to full pass through. It's entirely dependent on source voltage and may not be linear, definitely not accurate.

Second part- choosing the variable channel.

Highly suggest you get the companion book https://www.amazon.com/DCS-Com...kowitz/dp/1517374391

However, the full OEM DCS WIFI manual shows more detail than the quick start guide https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/20as13831i.pdf

Specifically page 47 of the manual linked above

Ignore the "add" and note you are Choosing which track the slider controls, not unlike selecting an engine from the dropdown menu in the engine tab of the controls of the app. Again, you click the down arrow icon button in the right hand side of the upper purple bar, and then select the track you want to control.

Sorry for double post, the website seemed hung forever when hitting post and I even backed out and it never displayed, so I retyped the whole thing with new pictures- and then the first post showed up.

Very frustrating post but I really appreciate your perseverance.  Thanks Vernon.

The V at top right was the piece of the puzzle I was missing!  Thank you so much for pointing it out.

Also, I think if I lower my input voltage from 19V down to say 12V for the variable channels, I think the minimum voltage would be more useable.  I understand that the minimum voltage is there to power the e-units etc, but the newer locos run very quickly on this minimum voltage.

Again I can't thank you too much Vernon.  Brilliant work. 

Its 11pm on Thursday here so I'm going to bed now   Pete

You can set the minimum voltage on the variable channels down to 2 volts in the configuration from the remote.  Not sure what the DCS App allows.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

You can set the minimum voltage on the variable channels down to 2 volts in the configuration from the remote.  Not sure what the DCS App allows.

If you click on the gear icon in the app on the track control screen, shows the settings for that variable channel and minimum voltage is a value one can edit. That said, mine says 0.0V. That said, I'm not connected to a WIU or TIU for the screenshot, so maybe there is a different value?

Point being, the OEM DCS manual doesn't list or specify changing the voltage settings but the DCS companion does.

Thanks again Vernon!

When connected to the APP, the maximum and minimum voltages can be adjusted but 5V is the minimum.

Thanks for your input Gunrunnerjohn!   It will be interesting to see what happens if you set the minimum voltage to say 2V via the handset, and then see if that effects what the APP shows...   Pete

I have been using WiFi for so long now, I can't find my handsets to try John's suggestion - setting the minimum voltage via the handset.

What I did do today was use a variac to reduce the 240VAC (you have 110VAC in the US) input voltage which reduced the 18V down to about 10V to the TIU and using the APP, I was able to get the track voltage down to 4V.   So reducing the input voltage to the TIU DOES change the minimum track voltage.

Surprisingly the TIU and Wifi seems to work fine off the significantly reduced input voltage. 

So once I find my handsets and change that starting minimum voltage, I'll provide feedback.   Cheers Pete