Transferring programming from DCS WiFi app to original DCS remote?

Bob, Barry passed away a year ago.

Your assumption that long names can fit on the remote is not correct.

You can open the remote's data file as a text file, but it's all numbers & letters, unlike the wifi data file which is plain english.

Oh dear!  That's sad.  I had no idea.  I was not concerned so much that the names would not fit, as that I might have a hard time seeing the whole name.

So if one can open the remote's data file, it follows that one might be able to save to it, too, as long as one knew how to program it.  An app for that would help a lot, or even a more straightforward ability to download the app data to the remote via the DCS WiFi and the remote's connection to the TIU.

I'll keep hoping for an answer to my question. Do you know anything about where the DCS WiFi app information is in DCS Companion 3rd Edition?  Maybe it's just embedded in the regular text as needed, but it does not seem so.

bob

If you have Loader 5.0 program, you can save the data file to a computer (great for cloning)  You can then open it in wordpad.  But you have to know programming.  I'm trying to recall, but I seem to remember from years ago that there was a way to transfer data remote>wifi or vice versa.  But I don't recall how.

Thanks!  I am looking at pp 149+ in the DCS Companion 3rd Edition, but so far it is only discussing backing up and restoring the data to a remote; not transferring from the app to a remote.

Bob, I believe that Barry did publish a wifi manual after the 3rd edition.  I did not buy it; I don't know if it covers import/export.  But I did read something on the subject---where?

It's supposed to be in the manual.  Here is what the title page says:

DCS Companion 3rd Edition
Includes DCS WiFi Application!

I just looked in my Wifi companion 2nd edition which is the latest and do not see a backup procedure from App to remote. 

Bob,

The 3rd companion DOES NOT have any where near as much info in it about the WiFi. That is why Barry wrote the WIFI Companion. The 3rd DCS Companion is mainly about the remote side. Since the WiFi improved, Barry Wrote a NEW Companion just for it. It is WORTH the purchase. Buy a copy! I will try to look in mine this afternoon and see what it says.

Oh, I have a copy, but the DCS Companion says this on the title page:

Yes I know it says it on the title page and cover BUT Barry wrote the WiFI Companion afterwards and it includes all the latest info and since MTH was going (or is ) stop making the remote and only the App will be around he wrote the Wifi Companion and included the info from the 3rd DCS Companion in it but not as extensively. Like I said this book says WiFi Companion not DCS Companion.

DCS Companion 3rd Edition

DCS WiFi Companion 2nd Edition. 

Thanks Marty. I never thought of taking a pic and posting both so they could see the difference. Well Done!

Thanks Marty.  I have had both for some time, including 3 editions of the DCS companion and one of the WiFi companion.

OK.  I had the first edition of DCS WiFI companion, so I just got the 2nd edition.  AND.  I did find the section of DCS Companion 3rd edition that has the DCS WiFi info, so I was wrong on that from the get go.  I starts on page 207: Part XII - DCS Smart Device Application.  I was searching for DCS WiFi, and that never came up on a search due to Barry's use of terms.  Thanks for all the feedback!

I'm still waiting for someone to have a magic answer for my question (Does anyone know a way to program the DCS remote with the data from the DCS WiFi app?)  that started this whole discussion.

Bob

Yesterday, with some difficulty, I updated the TIU software to 6.1.  Part of the difficulty was that the USB port was not working properly (I ended up using the serial port like the old days), and upon examination I found that the center block in the USB socket on the TIU was missing and one of the pins had been bent over and probably broken.  I don't want tackle unsoldering that and replacing it, so I will talk to MTH about it, but in the meantime I looked for a replacement TIU as a backup.  I couldn not find any!  Has MTH stopped making them?  Is there something equivalent and improved coming out?  Does anyone know?

bob

I wouldn't spend the money for a new TIU just because the USB port is broken.  You really only need the USB for the WIU, and you can use a >$20 serial USB adapter cord.  I have both on my layout (2 TIUs), and see no operational difference.

Yeah, have one of those for updating, but I need the USB port for the WIU, and I need the serial port for my Lionel Legacy base.  I'll have to investigate whether the serial port with an adapter cable can connect to the WIU and how that would work with the other cord for the Legacy base.

I have both my Legacy base and WIU connected via the serial port and it works just fine.  You will need a 9 pin "y" cord.  I bought mine from Amazon.  It was a KENTEX 1' DB9 Male to 2 Female cable.  Works great.

Thanks, Marty!  Great to know.

kbaybob

Tiu's are still available. Go to the MTH site and enter the TIU number in search (50-1003) then hit the FIND LOCALLY TAB. Show several dealers with them in stock.

Yeah, except every one I have checked is out of stock.  That brings me back to my previous questions:  Has MTH stopped making them?  Is there something equivalent and improved coming out?

I know they are still available but the shipment from MTH isn't due for another month. But Yes they still make them.

I thought I found one (on backorder) at Chuck's Trains, but they refunded my purchase and sent the following:

Just called and CONFIRMED! Alloway Trains N Things has a TIU in Stock right now. 856.358.8844 Tell them Curtis Sent you! His name is Bob and hers is Vickie. They are the owners and very accommodating.

Curtis

Thanks, Curtis!  Got it.

Glad to hear that. They are pretty nice to deal with and just a small mom and pop outfit but within 10 miles so I use them a lot.