Cable question for WIU

Bill,

I can't find either on the forum or in Barry's book, the type of cable I need to connect my serial port TIU's to the WIU

From page 207 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

The DCS Application requires the following MTH DCS devices in order to operate:

• DCS 5.0 or later and DCS Loader Program 5.0 or later
• #50-1003 DCS TIU
• #50-1002 DCS Remote (for functions not present in the application)
• #50-1034 WiFi Interface Unit
• USB cable (for Rev. L TIU), male USB-B (TIU end) to male USB-A (WiFi Interface Unit end); or USB to Serial cable (for all other TIUs)

and also TMCC.

From page 124:

At the present time, there are three MTH cables that may be used to connect to one or the other of the Lionel command bases. The three cables are:

• #50-1018, TIU/TMCC 6' Connector Cable may be used only to connect the TIU to a Lionel TMCC Command Base
• #50-1007, TIU/TMCC 6' Connector Cable may be used only to connect the TIU to a Lionel Legacy Command Base
• #50-1032 TIU/TMCC-Legacy 6' Connector Cable may be used to connect the TIU to either a Lionel TMCC Command Base or a Lionel Legacy Command Base

In addition, you'll need a simple serial "Y" cable to connect both the WIU and the TMCC command base to the TIU at the same time.

Barry Broskowitz posted:

Bill,

I can't find either on the forum or in Barry's book, the type of cable I need to connect my serial port TIU's to the WIU

From page 207 of The DCS Companion 3rd Edition:

In addition, you'll need a simple serial "Y" cable to connect both the WIU and the TMCC command base to the TIU at the same time.

Thanks Barry, the "Y" is what I was drawing a blank on.

Your help is always appreciated.

Thanks again

So it is just a generic USB to serial cable that is required, as opposed to an MTH part?

RAK,

The cable to connect a TIU that lacks a USB port to either a WIU, or to a PC without a serial port, is the same cable.

It's an industry-standard serial to USB converter cable, available at many office supply or electronics parts stores or online. It is not an MTH product.

Any one of these cables will work to connect a TIU to a WIU. However, a newer rather than older model cable might be necessary to connect a TIU to a PC, and may or may not also require driver software for the PC. The amy be dependent on the version of Windows on the PC.

Unfortunately, while the cable is a so-called "industry standard", the interesting thing about such standards is that there are so many from which to choose.  

RAK posted:

So it is just a generic USB to serial cable that is required, as opposed to an MTH part?

Picked mine up at Staples, just because it was the closest store to my home with it in stock on a Sunday.

Radio Shack has this cable set that connects the USB-A port to a Serial port.  Needed only on early versions of the TIU.  Version L TIUs also have a USB-B port.

Can also be used with a PC when adding an extra monitor.

#2603487 shown

Got it! I found one that worked for the upgrade.  Thank you to all who replied!

Thank you all!  It is up and running!  5.0 seems to respond substantially better to throttle (as advertised) and running the train from my Note II phone is outstanding!