New TIUs to go with DCS wi-fi

John,

While I think the other two TIUs work "ok" - is there any upside to replacing them?

The current Rev. L TIUs can improve DCS signal strength, and support more linear feet of track and more track blocks, than any previous model.

What is required to hook up the DCS wi-fi and the TIU?  I think if i keep the old TIUs there is a separate cable (RS-232) I need to buy?

The WIU comes with a USB cable that will connect it to a Rev. L TIU. If you want to connect a WIU to any older TIU, you'll need a serial to USB adapter cable.

Does DCS wi-fi do anything to improve signal quality?

Not really. It simply uses a 2.87 GHz WiFi radio frequency instead of a 900 MHz radio frequency to connect to a TIU.

If I understood it correctly I need 1 DCS wi-fi per TIU, is that correct?

Yes, that's correct.

Any issues with using LCS with this as well?

No, as long as you use the WIU in Home network mode.

All of your stated WiFi concerns are addressed in the 3rd edition of my book. You should read it before you go too much further.

As I upgrade to 2016 are there any epiphanies related to wiring that you would say "You must do this."

The DCS Companion 3rd edition has an entire section devoted to the best techniques to use when wiring a layout for DCS operation.

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase  from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!

Barry,  as always thank you.  2 TIUs ordered, 3 DCS wi-fi ordered.  Lets roll!!!

FWIW, the initial issue Rev G TIUs work fine with wifi.  I've used them with no issues on my 2 wifi layout.  If they have been adequately powering your layout, I wouldn't spend the money to replace them.  The required adapter cable is the same one you'd have been using to upgrade the old TIUs if you had a computer without a serial port.

You say you are rewiring the layout.  I wouldn't change anything---TIUs or wifi--- until the layout rewiring is completed.  If a glitch develops, it's easier to cure if you can pin down a single change that caused it.  I would add that if you have substantial signal problems using Rev G, I'd try to pin down a cause, rather than trying the stronger signal route

Re-wiring began today.  Just a mess for now.  iPad holders arrived.  TIU's DCS wifi did not, tomorrow.

I am happy.

What are you doing with your old Z4000?

Mike,

Semper Fi.  They will be for sale along with two ZWs, a bunch of 135s (9 to be exact) and 1033.

John 

Hi John, I don't know what 1033's are. Sorry I'm new to this 3 rail stuff.

Mike,

Lionel 1033 probably about as old as you and I, likely older.  It is a transformer.  I will sell all items individually.

John

Thanks John, I did not know. But I will be intrested in the Z4000.

Contact me off line and make me an offer.  I just want to pass these along.  Not looking to make $$$.

John

Sent email, Thanks John.

John,

"I am upgrading my power . . .  to 2 new ZW-L's."

You will be very pleased with at least this part of your upgrading!

Alex

They were pulled out of the boxes today.  WOW are those big.  I am pretty excited.

OK so now the fun part begins.  Given I have the three TIUs, I would think I would number them 1-3 first and turning on super TIU for all three then dealing with the DCS wi-fi, is that correct?

Anyone have any experience here on that??? 

Also is there anything else than a quick start guide?  I am somewhat looking through various empty boxes in my basement trying to find things, but can't.  Does this manual exist?

John

I am having a hard time adding TIU 2 and 3.  I thought I added them.  I was able to upgrade them last night.  I put them in the super mode I can see that they are in the remotes (I have two remotes) but when I do a read, it says TIU 2 address not found and also TIU 3 address not  found.

I have them hooked up to the DCS wi-fi for each of the TIU.

What have I done wrong?

John 

Have you changed the ID#'s of 2 of them to #2 and #3, respectively?

When you power them on, does one blink one time, another blink twice and the third blink 3 times?

Barry, I added the TIUs, #2 and #3 but when I turn them on they only blink once.  I looked in your book and in the 5th edition paper manual but can't find anything that seemingly addresses this.  Do I need to tether them to the remote?

John

John,

The following is from pages 121-122 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

Adding Additional TIUs

Using more than one TIU allows more DCS signal to be allocated for larger layouts. Up to 5 TIUs may be used on a single layout and each one must have a unique TIU ID#. 

First, increment the DCS ID# of all TIUs currently on the layout as follows: 

• Press Menu to enter the DCS Menus. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to SYSTEM and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to TIU SETUP and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to EDIT TIU ADDRESS and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• A list of currently available TIUs is displayed. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the highest numbered TIU currently in service on the layout and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• A list of available addresses to which the TIU may be changed is displayed. Use the thumbwheel to scroll to the next higher TIU address and press the thumbwheel to select it. The TIU Address is changed and the Engine Control Screen is displayed. 

Second, physically connect the new TIU to the layout. It will have DCS ID# 1. Each TIU that has been renumbered will also have any AIUs associated with it remain associated with it, however, their path will now start with the newly renumbered TIU. 

Third, re-add TIU#1 to the remote: 

• Press Menu to enter the DCS Menus. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to SYSTEM and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to TIU SETUP and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to ADD TIU and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• A list of all TIUs not currently in the DCS Remote is displayed. Select TIU #1 by scrolling to it using the thumbwheel and pressing the thumbwheel to add it to the DCS Remote. 

Finally, add to all other layout remotes the number of the new TIU as follows: 

Press Menu to enter the DCS Menus. 

• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to SYSTEM and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to TIU SETUP and press the thumbwheel to select it.
• Use the thumbwheel to scroll to ADD TIU and press the thumbwheel to select it. 
• A list of all TIUs not currently in the DCS Remote is displayed. Select the lowest numbered TIU by scrolling to it using the thumbwheel and pressing the thumbwheel to add it to the DCS Remote. 

This and a whole lot more is all in “The DCS Companion 3rd Edition", available for purchase  from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at OGR’s web store!