DCS Explorer Firmware Update

I have never heard of connecting the Explorer to a computer directly with a USB cable. I have seen male A to A cables but they are rare and not commonly found on the shelves at most major retailers (Where did you find one?). To me it would be pretty obvious that this would never work. I have used the USB port on the explorer to add a USB to Ethernet adapter to allow the Explorer to be connected directly to a wired network and as far as I know this is the only purpose for the USB port on the Explorer.

First thing is to to have the Explorer in MTH mode and verify that it is broadcasting a wireless signal for your phone or tablet to connect to. You can verify this by viewing the available wireless networks. You will also want to connect your phone to that MTH wifi network if it has not done so already.

You will also want to make sure that your app on your phone is the latest version available from the app store.  The latest firmware version for the Explorer works best with the most recent version of the app. 

If you want to verify which version of the firmware is loaded on your Explorer this can be simply done by accessing the LuCi web login page on your computer and look near the bottom of the page to verify which version the Explorer has installed:

The above picture is from a WIU but the screen and text will be similar. This particular WIU is running version 1.1 (which is the latest version available for the WIU at the time of this writing). The Explorer will have nearly the same text and it can be deciphered if it is running version 1.0, 1.1, or 1.2.

If you really want to go back to the Version 1.1 firmware, here is the download link from MTH: http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...ldcats/WIU_1.1.0.bin

And for reference the download link to version 1.2 is here: http://www.mthtrains.com/sites...0Explorer%20v1.2.bin

There is no download link for version 1.0 it is the initial release and not available from the MTH website.

Thanks for the input.  But I am still having trouble.  My LuCi login page does not show a version number as you suggest.  It shows only:  Powered by LuCI Master (git-17.289.64212-462779c) / MTH Reboot 20180228-1146 r5096+4-a29848c671.  So I'm not sure why I'm not seeing what you think I should be seing.

And the version 1.1 firmware link you provided appears to be for a WIU and not a DCS Explorer.

Okay the DCS explorer doesn't actually provide the version but it does provided the release date of the firmware which is 2/28/2018, I believe this is the date that the 1.2 software was released so you are on the latest version of firmware for the device (I'll verify this evening to make sure).

Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the proper MTH home network that is available if you are connected to the Explorer in MTH mode, your device will not have internet access. This makes it easy for me to determine if you are connected to the proper wifi network to make the Explorer work.

So I was able to get the DCS Explorer working with my track and trains again.  Had to use the reset function in LuCi, then reload the new firmware (or maybe it was already using Rev 1.2).  At any rate, I still can't use all of the functions of my engines.  I have disabled the lights in all three Amtrak coach cars and the lights in the Union Pacific caboose.  But the Explorer still shuts down when I try to enable the smoke function in the Amtrak diesel engine.

So I have well over $1000 invested in two train systems, track, switches and DCS power managemnt equipment and I can't even use all of the basic capabilities of my trains.

I'm not a big fan of MTH Trains right now!!!!!!!!!!!!

So the trains work okay when the smoke is turned off and when you turn the smoke on the explorer shuts off the power to the track? Smoke units do draw more power but this shouldn't cause an overload.

To properly troubleshoot this issue, I need a clearer picture of how your trains are setup. I understand that you have two train systems and I'll assume that they are both MTH, NEW & Ready To Run sets (correct me if this not the case). This would tell me that you have two DCS explorers.

If you are running both trains at the same time you will only needs one explorer to run both trains. I'll also assume that each train is on it's own loop (two loops of track wired to one DCS Explorer). Now the switches, if the switches are powered by the track (they can be powered independently) it is possible that trowing switches with the smoke on could possible cause the Explorer to trigger the over current protection but still not likely unless you are throwing multiple at the same time. 

Again, how you have things setup and wired is big help. Don't worry, we are here to help and only want to see you enjoy your investment... We'll get there!!

Thanks for your offer to help me.  By the way............ do you work for MTH?  If not, you are offering much more help than they have so far.

One of the train sets is a MTH Union Pacific Ready to Run 2-8-0 Freight Set (Item No. 30-4228-1) with Proto-Sound 3 that I bought in April of 2014.  It came with a 3-car freight consist that included a lighted Union Pacific RailKing Offset Steel Caboose.  It did not come with a DCS Explorer (I don't think they existed back then) but instead included a wireless Digital Remote Commander.  [I have never had any trouble with this set.]  The second train set is the MTH RailKing Amtrak Merchants Limited Diesel Passenger Set (Item No. 30-4261-1) with Proto-Sound 3.  It came with an Amtrak F40PH Diesel locomotive and a 3-car lighted passenger consist. I bought this set in March of this year.  It also included the DCS Explorer and a 50 watt transformer (Z-500).  When I realized I was having DCS Explorer reset problems, I replaced the Z-500 with a Z-1000 brick, but the problems have persisted.

I am using the DCS Explorer (connected to the Z-1000 brick) to run the trains.  The Digital Remote Commander is not connected to the layout.  The trains are essentially running on two loops, but the loops are connected via two RailKing O-42 (Item No. 40-1043) and two RailKing O-31 (Item No. 40-10-05) automatic switches.  The four switches are powered via a separate power supply (a Z-500 brick).  I am attaching three pics of the layout.

As I previously mentioned, I have disconnected power from the lighted passsenger cars and the lighted caboose.  So, the only things drawing power from the DCS Explorer should be the two engines.

I'm beginning to believe that I either have a defective DCS Explorer or a defective Amtrak F40PH Diesel locomotive.

Jerry D

Jerry, That's nice layout and the info you provided is very helpful.  I don't work for MTH and given the current state the country is in I don't think anyone is answering the phone at MTH or any of the other manufactures these days.

You could be on to something and it may be possible there could be something wrong with the smoke on the Amtrak engine. A Z1000 transformer should be able to handle the load of two trains with the smoke on. With the track light turning red on the explorer, that usually means overload or short circuit. The Explorer itself is design to allow 5 continuous amps of draw, and a with both engines running smoke it could be close to that limit and possibly go over a bit at times, which is okay.

So a few things to try.

Put the Amtrak engine on a test track by itself powered by your DCS Explorer and see if turning on the smoke causes the Explorer to shut down the track power. This would indicate a potential problem with the Amtrak engine's smoke unit.

The UP Steam engine has a smoke unit, does it work okay when it is running with the explorer?  Does the explorer only shutdown when both smoke units are on? 

Just to test one other piece of my curiosity here, unplug the z500 that operates your switches and give it go. I don't think will change your situation but it is a variable that I want to eliminate. 

I have run my explorer a few times but just so that I could familize my self with it and its operation. I'm going to pull it out this weekend and perform some test to try and simulate your conditions to see if I can get the same results.

H1000,

Thanks for continuing to provide helpful comments and suggestions.

I have already done most of what you asked but I did it again just to make sure.  The bottom line is that I can run the UP locomotive all day long by itself (with smoke enabled) without tripping the DCS Explorer off line.  And I can run the Amtrak Diesel train (even with the lighted cars) all day long by itself if I don't turn on the smoke or blast the horn going up the trestle grade.  Turning on the smoke and (sometimes) blasting the horn on the grade will cause the DCS Explorer to trip off line.  And running both trains at the same time will inevetably cause the Explorer to trip offline at some point (usually sooner rather than later).  [And unplugging the Z-500 that powers the switches makes no difference.]

Earlier today I realized that I had a multi-meter that I could use as an ammeter.  I inserted it in-line between the DCS Explorer and the track lockon.  Then I measured the results at different configurations and during different events.  What I found is that the DCS Explorer trips offline somewhere between 3.5 and 3.75 instantaneous amps of current.  That isn't supposed to happen.  I was contacted a few minutes ago by the guy that heads up the MTH R&D team.  He told me that the DCS Explorer should be "capable of sustaining about 5A of continuous current at around 20 VAC" (100 watts).  He said it was designed to be compatible with the Z-1000 brick.  My Z-1000 brick puts out 19.8 VAC and the DCS Explorer is putting out about 19.4 VAC (close enough).  But the DCS Explorer is certainly not sustaining anywhere near 5 amps of current before its current limiter is kicking in. 

I have attached a spreadsheet containing the measurements I took.  Please take a look and let me know if you have any further comments.  But, I think I'm doomed to depending on MTH to either repair my DCS Explorer or get me a replacement............ neither is likely to happen very soon in the pandemic environment.

Hi Jerry, how many amps does the Z1000 put out?  You might try running the trains around 30 mph, turn off the smoke and see if that helps

Arnold 

Jerry,

I agree that the DCS explorer should be able to output more than 3.75 amps you noticed. I could easily see how two trains with smoke would draw more power than that. 

I haven't had a chance to test my Explorer yet, good weather and farming got in the way last weekend.  One of these nights I do want to simulate the situation you have with your setup.

I did notice that your DCS explorer is connected via a Realtrax lock-on in the corner but I didn't see anymore. Do you have additional power drops to other areas of your layout? It's possible there could be a voltage drop as your engines travel further away from that single lock on and increasing the amp draw. It's a thought.

Just to complete this discussion............

I have been emailing with the MTH lead for R&D.  Here is what he told me:  My two trains are most likely generating over 5 amps of current spikes as I operate them (combination of engine motors, lights, horn/whistle, and smoke,along with dynamic power picks(rollers on the track) causing constant disconnections and reconnections).  These spikes are causing the protection circuit in the DCS Explorer to trip.  He further stated that the "marketing staff may make statements that position our products in their most favorable light without qualifying those remarks.  The overall environment dictates what is possible.  Large layouts, inclines, long trains, lit passenger cars, track lock-ons, switches, etc., etc., all raise the current floor so, when any spike occurs, it can exceed the limit.  The Explorer will run two or, even three trains with an asterisk."  The bottom line for me comes out to this.  I can run either train all day long by itself.  And I can run the two of them together under some conditions (but I don't dare turn on the smoke on the Amtrak Diesel with the UP Steam Engine running).   I'm not happy with this situation...... but there isn't much I can do about it.  I can send in my DCS Explorer for MTH Service to check out (just in case there is something wrong with it), but they won't be able to check it out until this COVID-19 mess is over.  I suspect (and the MTH guy as much as said so) that in order to run my trains the way I want to, I will have to purchase a DCS WiFi Unit along with a TIU.  That doesn't fit my budget at the moment and the TIUs don't seem to be available at right now anyway.