Major WiFi issues-Update it's an engine that's causing the problems-here's how I fixed it.

Scott, I only run with Android devices and not sure if this will help you?

 When I shut off the power to the trains, if I don't shut off these devices first, they automatically divert to the house's router when the TIU loses power. The next time I start I get that message. I then have to go to the phone or tablet settings, wifi, and press forget for the house's router so that it will connect to the DCS device (force it to only see the MTH WIU).

BTW, I have also got the "no TIU found" if the signal was drawn way down. You don't have Lionel stuff on the same powered rails do you?

I think I have to bad Serial-USB cord. I ordered a new one from Staples this evening and we will see if that fixes the issue.

Scott Smith

New cord did not fix this. I picked up the TIU and WIU brought them home hooked it up and it works great on my son's layout. It's still not working downtown. I don't get it. What the *#&*(% is going on here?
Scott Smith

Scott, between your son's layout and downtown, what is different? Is everything exactly the same between the wall receptacle and the track? If so, since it works on your son's layout, that eliminates the TIU, wiring, and WiFi unit. Which leaves the building and the building wiring. Not sure why this would make any difference, but I would check the wall outlets at both locations for correct wiring. If everything checks out, that's one more possibility eliminated. Perhaps Andre or GRJ have some ideas.

Chris

LVHR

I spent another 2 hours over there this evening, that in addition to the 2 hours this afternoon.  A few weeks ago we rotated the layout and plugged everything into two outlets on a different wall. I ran everything with original extension cord to the original outlet to see if that made a difference and it didn't.  I have two power stripes I eliminated those one at a time and it made no difference. I ran everything to a different outlet and once again no difference. I reversed the polarity on my TIU adapter no difference. A ran without the adapter no difference. I turned off the CW-80 that runs all of my lights-same result.

As far as the difference between my son's layout and the club. His layout is a single loop and a siding plus an AIU for accessories. The club layout had 4 loops on DCS. Even disconnecting some of those loops didn't make a difference.

The remote works perfectly but the WIFI doesn't. I do not know what else I can do to fix this.

Scott Smith

Any chance the WiFi network downtown recently got switched to 5ghz signal only? Your phone would likely connect to it, but the MTH WiFi unit can only connect to 2.4ghz (I think). 

I am running on DCS WIFI only. I wonder if the Museums WIFI is interfering with the DCS WIFI. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I think the DCS WIFI only runs on Channel 11. If the museum also runs on Channel 11 that could be the issue. Unless someone can offer another suggestion I may just add a wireless router to the set-up and see if running on a different channel works.

Scott Smith

Scott, Back before WiFi we had problems in buildings with security systems, and had to run with tethered remotes.  Don't know what the effect is with WiFi but the TIU will still receive signals even with WiFi hooked up I believe.

Are you wifi connecting directly to the WIU or through a WiFi access Point?   If possible I would direct connect the WIU to the access point/router with a Cat 5/6 cable and not use the WIU wifi.  This would narrow it down to whether it actually is the WiFI.  Also, have you done a factory reset on the WIU and re-configured it?

Can you take the WIU and your phone outside the building with it still connected to the layout (TIU)?

It's a metal building right? I was there many years back and I forget if it is or not.

The WIFI unit is connected directly to the layout. Hooking up thorough the museum is not an option. It's in a brick building and I can't take it outside, the serial cord/USB would be too far from the TIU. I reset the WIU and it made no difference.
Scott Smith

You have done most of the stuff I could think of. The fact that the remote works is interesting. I don't think most of us have run into this issue. Using the stuff in commercial buildings, probably introduces problems that most here will never see. Did you do a signal test with the remote? I have seen where weaker signal strength caused the WIU to flash the message of no TIU found. I think it's another generic message saying it didn't get the response it expected?

 In your OP, I didn't know the system would work at all. I have no idea what freq the WIU is set to.

I wonder if an Android device is any better? maybe a stupid idea there?

scott.smith posted:

I spent another 2 hours over there this evening, that in addition to the 2 hours this afternoon.  A few weeks ago we rotated the layout and plugged everything into two outlets on a different wall. I ran everything with original extension cord to the original outlet to see if that made a difference and it didn't.  I have two power stripes I eliminated those one at a time and it made no difference. I ran everything to a different outlet and once again no difference. I reversed the polarity on my TIU adapter no difference. A ran without the adapter no difference. I turned off the CW-80 that runs all of my lights-same result.

As far as the difference between my son's layout and the club. His layout is a single loop and a siding plus an AIU for accessories. The club layout had 4 loops on DCS. Even disconnecting some of those loops didn't make a difference.

The remote works perfectly but the WIFI doesn't. I do not know what else I can do to fix this.

Scott Smith

Could you have the TIU's wires reversed? I have done it. It just takes a single misstep to cause issues. Obviously something got changed here.

Try running a wireless sniffer at your problem site to determine conflicts on channel assignment.  Note that non-WiFi 2.4GHz transmitters (wireless cams, security systems, etc.)  may not show up in the results.

The last time I diagnosed wireless issues at a show, the WIU was broadcasting on channel 149 802.11n,ac,  and channel 11 802.11b,g,n.  When I logged on to the club's WIU LuCI interface, I briefly looked at the station mode tab ... IIRC, the channel configuration could be managed there.

Something else you could try is get a wifi analysis app on your phone (or tablet) and check what channels are being used to see if there is interference with the WIU.    I have an android and have used it to great effect when installing our WiFi network at the club.  It helped me find dead spots and unused channels.  

Hi Scott.  I would do what Chris is recommending.  If you have a Mac, there is a wifi analyzer built in.  For Windows 10, just type Wifi Analyzer in the Cortina search box and download the app - it is free.  I don't have an Android, but Chris said that their version works.  The IOS version does not show the channel, so it is no help.  Before changing the MTH Wifi channel, use the analyzer to determine what channels are being used by the club.

By default the MTH Wifi use channel 11.  You can change the channel using LUCI.  Once you are in LUCI go to AP MODE and select Wireless Config.  Move down to Device Config and Channel.  Select any channel the club is not using.  This will have no effect on using the Wifi at home.

Tracker John posted:

Try running a wireless sniffer at your problem site to determine conflicts on channel assignment.  Note that non-WiFi 2.4GHz transmitters (wireless cams, security systems, etc.)  may not show up in the results.

The last time I diagnosed wireless issues at a show, the WIU was broadcasting on channel 149 802.11n,ac,  and channel 11 802.11b,g,n.  When I logged on to the club's WIU LuCI interface, I briefly looked at the station mode tab ... IIRC, the channel configuration could be managed there.

Is this as simple as typing in a different channel number like 8 rather than the default 11?

Scott Smith

Actually, you just select a different channel from a list of channels.  Yes it is that simple, if that is the problem.  It is worth trying since whatever channel you choose, it will work fine at home.  Chances are pretty good that the problem is the Club’s router using the same channel.  Change it at home so that you know everything is working before you get to the club.

Let us know it works out.