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First off the WTIU is working just fine on a lot of layouts. What I am suggesting is to setup the WTIU on the bench first, before going to your layout. I am not a DCS expert in anyway but have learned some things being in IT for 43 years.

Here is a list of things I learned from OGR or I learned installing the WTIU myself.

  1. Setup the new WTIU system on a workbench so you can learn how it works without getting frustrated by not having your layout operational.
  2. Buy Barrys book on Amazon and use it. https://a.co/d/9WLqkup
  3. Use the system locally. Slide to "MTH" and not "Home". It just eliminates any potential issues talking to your home router. The manual gives step by step instructions for setting up the WIFI.
  4. Do a Factory Reset of the WTIU to level set things.
  5. Check the TIU firmware version. It probably needs updating. https://ogrforum.com/topic/wtiu-firmware-update
  6. Try a couple locomotives. Some have had ones that needed a factory reset of the engine to work clear things up to work with the WTIU.
  7. Here is the WTIU Manual from MTH. https://mthtrains.com/sites/de...ction/50as19846i.pdf
  8. With all the potential environmental issues out of the way start testing one channel at a time. 
    1. Start with Fixed 1. The engine should get the Watchdog signal. Start it up, go back and forth, hit the horn etc.
    2. Do the same tests with the Fixed 2 channel.
    3. Set Var 1 and Var 2 to fixed. Again run the same tests.
    4. With Var 1 still set to Fixed, put a conventional engine on the test track. Go to the Track menu and run it that way. Use the slider to adjust the voltage to the track. Press the Direction button for a second to toggle the e-unit.
  9. The entire bench testing process will probably take around an hour.
  10. Now move everything to the layout. If it works on the bench and not on the layout, you now know it's the home router, dirty track, layout wiring and/or connections etc. Double check everything to make sure things are right. Refer to Barry's book.



Hope that helps..

Last edited by ChiTown Steve
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FWIW, mine should arrive today.

My intent is to test some advanced function like what USB to serial cables may or may not work with it, does DCS loader application work while we are waiting on the promised loading of files from the app function. Can we connect it now to a Legacy base or Base3- again using a commercial off the shelf USB to serial cable.

Also, I have a couple of the DCS signal testers, and one calibrated for the revision L tiu- so maybe get some comparison of DCS output signal compared to a revision L. I don't know what we will find but worth a shot.

Also, I have a couple of the DCS signal testers, and one calibrated for the revision L tiu- so maybe get some comparison of DCS output signal compared to a revision L. I don't know what we will find but worth a shot.

I suspect the only real way to see exactly what kind of signal you're getting from the new WTIU is hang a 'scope on the output.  I'm not sure what DCS signal tester you have, but the one I did wasn't really precise enough to actually get an accurate read of what the signal looks like.  Also, it would be interesting to test the impedance drive of the new WTIU signal, that's as important as the amplitude of the output and it's something we don't talk about much.

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IMG_3117MY WTIU arrived Monday from Legacy Station .   It works fine off of my I Phone  using the MTH  Network.     My question is where could I buy more of these male to male cables ,  these are made by MTH I found in my wire / box . They make it really easy to go from the WTIU to my MTH Z1000 transformer.    39 inches in length and about 1/8th “ in diameter.     I have searched Amazon with no luck so far , there only a zillion types.    Yes I can strip wire and hand connect too , but these plug ins are such a great and easy  connection.      Is there a Train Store that sells these ?       Thanks ! Thanks gunrunner John.    I found some 4 feet long , banana plugs for speakers , 16 gauge wire on the Amzn.

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Last edited by SteamPossum
@c.sam posted:

Am sure there are many Mac users among us so why after all these years does MTH still not accept Mac computers for downloads?

For engine reprogramming I believe this will be done "over the air" using your smart phone. It sounds like the DCS Loader program won't be needed. This functionality is not ready yet. It would be nice if this worked with a Mac too!

Received my new WTIU Saturday.  Took my time in reading the instructions and upgrading the firmware.  Installed it on the layout and worked flawlessly for several hours of testing with two different engines.  

Stopped one of the engines to add an additional car.  Turned off track power to prevent a short, but not the WTIU.  Turned on track power and it acted like there was a short on the track.  Checked everything with the same bad result.  Removed the extra car and it still acted like a short. Removed the entire train and put on a different engine that I often run. It didn’t short out but it couldn’t find any engines on track and the engines received no watchdog signal so started up in conventional mode. I then turned it off and restarted and it acted like a short again.

pulled off the WTIU and reinstalled the old TIU.  Everything worked fine, even the engine and consist that I thought caused the problem.  Gave up for the night and had to travel the next day.  Will not be able to test it again until Saturday.  Plan is to try it in passive mode to see if it solves the issue. Power is with two 180 Lionel bricks with one for each of the two main loops, using the two fixed channels.

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