Defective WIU?

it's possible your Wi-Fi app software is corrupted and the only way to repair that is delete your wifi app! then download the Wi-Fi app again! then it should work ok!

Alan

Thank you Alan. That was done without any improvement. Also, the app on both phones worked fIne with the TIU on layout 1. I just tried the system with a different REVL TIU with the same result. Lot of frutraing hours spent on this today. Everything was so easy on layout 1.

Make sure the software in the WIU is the latest.

.....

Thanks Joe.

TIU is brand new.  Layout 2 has good DCS signal strength. TIU is powered through the auxilliary power. Do not have an extra cord with me but will try that on a return trip. I did add one engine before the system stopped working so there must have been some connection. Power to the rails is from a Z 4000 through Variable 1 and Variable 2.

Ed

If layout #1 is on, that is the problem. Try running layout #2 with layour #1 off.

Layouts are 100 miles apart. Sorry I wasn’t more clear about that.

Ed

Sorry, it's always tuff to guess at what's going on. I just throw out some suggestions. It's even tougher here for you, as you are traveling and not doing it at home. All I can guess at, is to always take extra stuff so you can troubleshoot better. You may not wish to expose your equipment to other's layout though?

I read a post here where it was suggested to swap out the cords as a first step. So I reposted that.

I personally experienced issues when the signal wasn't good, so I shared that too.

Beyond that, stay open to ideas of troubleshooting everything. I've learned in R&R, if it can fail, it will fail!

In toy trains integrated with modern tech, this tech can always be challenging at times. Certain devices like IOS ones for me, can throw a curve at me. I run all android so I don't have the best ideas here. I have read here, where certain IOS devices operate differently. Nothing wrong, just differently!

Some additional thoughts, Ed.

Make sure the WiFi firmware is ver 1.1.  You can check that with Luci (link to the WiFi manual, below).

  https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/50as13515i.pdf

If there is another router nearby, it might be using the same channel.  Use Luci to change the channel.

Thanks guys. Evidently the version is 1.0 as that is what the number is on the back of the WIU. I assumed it was the latest version because it was new. Guess I’ll have to take the WIU home and figure out how to upgrade it. There was a small, local,outside train show here in New England this morning and one of the local techs said  he could do it. Maybe that is the problem. Will check the version of the WIU thats works fine on layout 1 when I get home.

Ed

Ed, all you need to upgrade it is the app on your phone.  You can download the 1.1 firmware from MTH.

I don’t think you can upgrade the WIU firmware through the DCS app.  You need a web browser connected to LUCI to perform the upgrade.

@Danr posted:

Ed, all you need to upgrade it is the app on your phone.  You can download the 1.1 firmware from MTH.

@MrMoe50 posted:

I don’t think you can upgrade the WIU firmware through the DCS app.  You need a web browser connected to LUCI to perform the upgrade.

Either will work, albeit the laptop is a little easier.  All you need to do is connect to the MTH WiFi then use Safari and enter the URL 192.168.143.1.  Next enter the secret password,  mthdcs, and you are in Luci.

I know how to update using a browser to connect to LUCI as I pointed out in my post, but you mentioned that all one needs is the app on your phone.....where is the option in the app to update the WIU firmware?

Added an engine today but then the WIFI system started again with all the problems already mentioned. Seems like I am not getting a good or consistent connection between the WIU and the TIU. Does anyone know what it signifies when the small down arrow under the battery icon fades in and out? I wonder if it is an indication of a poor connection between the WIU and the TIU.

Ed

The flashing light indicates a poor connection.  Possibly interference from another router nearby using the same channel. Bring up Luci and try a different channel.

Mr Moe - You need to download the Wi-Fi file from MTH to your phone.  iPhone will put the file in the “files” folder.  When you open Luci, go to SYSTEM and follow the instructions in the manual to flash the firmware.  It really does work.

@Danr posted:

The flashing light indicates a poor connection.  Possibly interference from another router nearby using the same channel. Bring up Luci and try a different channel.

Mr Moe - You need to download the Wi-Fi file from MTH to your phone.  iPhone will put the file in the “files” folder.  When you open Luci, go to SYSTEM and follow the instructions in the manual to flash the firmware.  It really does work.

As I have already stated, I know how to use a web browser to connect to LUCI and update the firmware using the file downloaded from MTH.  I guess I have not been clear as to what I have been asking you....

Your first post above said “all you need to update it is the App on your phone.”

My question is/was where in the MTH DCS App on your phone is the ability to upgrade the WIU firmware if that is all that is needed?  Connecting to LUCI with Safari is not a function built in the app, therefore has nothing to do with app itself, and no need to even have the app installed to perform the update.

I know how to use Safari on my phone, connect to LUCI, select the file downloaded from MTH and update the firmware on the WIU, but your statement about only needing the app on my phone to update peaked my curiosity as to where in the app that can done because I cannot find it.

I suspect this is just a misunderstanding, so I am trying to be clearer.

Mr Moe, you are correct.  I should not have typed that.  You do not use the MTH app to setup WiFi.  Luci is part of the MTH WIU.  The instructions for Luci begin on page 9 of the WIU manual.

Hi Ed,

You do need to update the WIU to version 1.1 firmware.  You should also check the firmware in the TIU.  Like with the WIU, just because it's new in the box doesn't mean it wasn't sitting in the box for a long time.  You can use the DCS remote to check that the TIU is running v6.1.  If not, you'll need to upgrade it as well.  However, the fact that you were able to load an engine into the phone at all is a good indication that the TIU's firmware is at least v6.0.

I agree that changing the WiFi channel is a good option.  If you or someone else on site has an Android phone, you can install a WiFi analyzer app and see which channels are already in use. (such app are not available for iOS).

Another thing worth checking is the serial link between the WIU and TIU.  Just because the WIU is able to hand shake with the TIU, which causes the WIU's purple light to turn on, doesn't necessarily mean the connection is stable.  A good test is to try a different USB cable.  If there's no change, remove the USB cable and use a USB/serial adapter instead.  If the communication becomes more reliable, the USB chip in the TIU maybe damaged.

Thanks again to everyone for the help.

I upgraded the TIU to 6.1. If I remember right, I had to use the USB port to do that so I'm hoping it's not defective. I'll have to figure out what a USB/serial adapter is. Got back home to layout #1 and noted that the WIU is v.1.0. Haven't tried swapping out equipment yet in an attempt to isolate the problem but everything worked perfectly with WIU v.1.0 with both iPhones. I'm going to try hard to figure this out as I can't be the only one who has had this problem.

Ed