MTH DCS Smartphone App

I assume that you were able to connect to the clubs MTH DCS Wi-Fi.    If you are using a cellular device,  put it on airplane mode and try again.  

Cheers, Dave

Very interesting question because the magnificent NY Hirailers layout is so massive.

Felix,

Any update on this one?  Did you find the problem?

We have 5 TIU at the club and sometimes I can not find any of them and I do better if it’s in airplane mode. Working on it.  Will update when I figure it out

Still having issues with connection consistency when operating DCS using the Wi-Fi interface unit. The main issue is that it takes several attempts to connect the TIU and some times I loose my patients and give up. This can be very frustrating when you are entertaining guests who want to see the trains in action.

I usually run trains from either my iPhone-11 or iPad.   I set my phone on airplane mode before powering up my layout.  It takes about one minute for the MTH Wi-Fi to show in my phones Wi-Fi listings which I then select as preference.   The Wi-Fi interface unit takes a few minutes to power up, initialize and connect to the TIU.    Sometimes it takes several minutes before connection is complete (before the purple TIU indicator light stops blinking and holds steady).    When I go to the Run My Trains app, I usually need to select “refresh” because the engine list usually shows "inactive".   The refresh (reading) cycle will spin for a while and it usually causes the purple TIU indicator light to start blinking again (seems to break the connection) and I get the: No WIU/TIUs Found message.   When the purple light is once again steady I refresh again usually getting the same response (TiU not found).  This cycle is repeated again and again until I get a connection and only then, can I operate the trains.   I have spent up to 10 to 15 minutes repeating the refresh cycle before I get a connection that holds and allows operation.   Seems like the TIU connection is very fragile or weak.  

Bigger issue:  I need to reenter an engine to my phone roster.   When I go to add engine and select the Add MTH Engine, it spins (reading) and then gives the “integrating engines” and then suddenly I get “Request timed out” or “Connection failure”.   This attempt also kicks out the WiFi-TIU connection and all of a sudden all the engines are inactive.   I have been trying to add this engine for several days with no success.   I even use a dedicated separate track and I have been unable to add it to my phone.   I just replaced the battery in this engine and it works great in conventional mode and it also rosters with my iPad which has the engine in the roster but I’m unable to make it active with my iPad.  

Is Connection Failure a common occurrence with others?  How is this message different from the “No WIU/TIUs Found” message, which is more common in my experience?  What about "Request Timed out"

This system used to be so direct, simple and dependable! Any thoughts? I need Mike Wolf to make a house call and fix it!     I did call the tech support number (410) 381-2580.  Got a recorded message.   

My app version is v3.2.1. with a build number of 3

One thing I notice:  With my app, the Main Control Screen does not show the E stop button.  Is my app outdated?

My WIUDCS v1.0  (Firmware?)

My TIU firmware version: 6.10  

Anybody have any luck getting tech help from MTH?

I live in the Mac world and I am unable to do any upgrades to the WIU or TIU.    Do I need to upgrade and how do I get that done?

I am lost and frustrated; Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Not-so-Cheery, Dave

Your problem is the WIU needs the update to 1.1, so you'll have to find someone that can do that for you.  FWIW, many folks with a Mac run an emulator to have access to Windows and the update tools.

WIU 1.1 Firmware Upgrade Available

Also, when you get the update, I strongly recommend you configure the WIU to go through the home network.  This does a couple of things.

#1, once it connects to the home network, you have ready access without screwing around with your wireless configuration, it's there like magic.

#2, you can move stuff around to get a reliable connection to the home network, then you never have to worry about that link.

I run through my home network for both the MTH WIU and the Lionel LCS WiFi box, and once the layout is up and running, I just open any phone/tablet with the app and fire it up, no connection woes.

The most current version of the app is 3.2.1 build 53. Not sure maybe you had a typo on that.

The most current version of the WIU firmware is 1.1. Most of the WIU's have a 1.0 sticker but have already been upgraded. the 1.0 WIU firmware doesn't work with TIU 6.0 or 6.1 firmware.

The Purple TIU light blinking in extremely fast repetition means the WIU is communicating with the TIU. A steady half second intervals usually mean it is connecting or attempting to connect to the TIU.

My typical startup takes about 75 to 90 seconds. The WIU & TIU power on at the same time. The LAN or WIFI (can't remember which one) blinks in half second intervals while the WIU boots.  Once the software drivers for the TIU are load on the WIU, the TIU light comes on solid. The WPS light turns on for about two seconds, goes out and then WiFi lights turns two seconds after that. Usually about 5 to 10 seconds after that my phone finds the WiFi, connects, and I'm ready to go.

Your issues are common among iPhones and iPads and not exclusive to the WIU.  Apple devices get cranky when you connect them to WiFi networks that don't provide internet access. We had some home security cameras we were building an app for at work and everyone dreaded the apple app for the same reasons you listed above.  They would initially connect but as soon as the phone figured out there is no internet access, it would start scanning for more networks and temporarily disconnect you without any indication.

Have you tried switching the WIU to HOME mode and adding it to your existing home WiFi network?

@H1000 posted:

Have you tried switching the WIU to HOME mode and adding it to your existing home WiFi network?

Exactly how I run and it's been trouble-free since the initial installation.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Your problem is the WIU needs the update to 1.1, so you'll have to find someone that can do that for you.  FWIW, many folks with a Mac run an emulator to have access to Windows and the update tools.

I'll bet his WIU already has version 1.1. A WIU with 1.0 firmware will not work at all with 6.0 or 6.1 TIU firmware, the TIU light will just blink and never connect. The OP indicates that he can get a steady purple TIU light at times. It is okay for the TIU light to blink rapidly as that indicates commuincation between the TIU & WIU.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Exactly how I run and it's been trouble-free since the initial installation.

I actually run MTH mode and have the WIU wired via Ethernet to my home router.

I use WiFi as it was easy and I didn't have to run an Ethernet cable to the panel.  The MTH WIU was easy, it was trickier to get the Lionel WiFi to connect to the home network.  However, once I got the LcsWiFiMonitorLE, I was able to configure the Lionel WiFi and all was well.

You people are great!  Thank you all for the suggestions regarding my operating dilemma.   Appreciate all the input.  My grandson is a computer tech and well versed in the PC world.   I need him to make a visit and go over all your input and upgrade my system.  He lives in the PC world.   Really appreciate all the chatter and suggestion

What really puzzles me is the fact that eventually I can connect and operate the layout.  I make no changes and through some miracle, I can occasionally get it to work.   The big puzzle remains why I can't add the MTH PS-2 engine back on the roster and what causes the "request time out" message.

A work in progress!  

Thanks, Dave

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I use WiFi as it was easy and I didn't have to run an Ethernet cable to the panel.  The MTH WIU was easy, it was trickier to get the Lionel WiFi to connect to the home network.  However, once I got the LcsWiFiMonitorLE, I was able to configure the Lionel WiFi and all was well.

All that pain and trouble Lionel created when they decided Ethernet ports were too futuristic, and rather than give you the option to use that super high tech cat5e cable and hard wire it, they decided forcing you to use wifi was the best option available. /rantover

One thing to note as well for those with wifi trouble on either the WIU or LCS - if you live in an area with congested wifi signals, that can also cause some fun happenings with your device trying to communicate with the unit. Download a wifi checker app and you can usually see just how bad it is. Apartment users will get it the worst, those in their basement layouts typically will have the best results if they are direct connecting to the WIU/LCS (and their house router is located on another floor / etc that signal has trouble reaching)

I live in a condo community, and I have no issues at all with my WiFi boxes, either the MTH or Lionel.