Controlling IC Controls TPC From iCab iOS App?

mopac01 posted:

I posted this question about 2 weeks ago in the LCS thread that's up to 9 pages now, but there have been no replies.  

In further searching on the forum I did find a post from a year ago where someone asked Lionel and they indicated the TPCs were not compatible with LCS iOS app, but that they were considering a "boost" mode addition to the app that would allow someone to power up a TPC.  Does anyone know if anything further has been said about such a mode or TPC compatibility with the iOS app in general?  I bought the SER2 module specifically to ensure my TPCs were still connected when I added the Legacy base and LCS WiFi to my original CAB1 setup.  I can select TR then 1 or 2 or 3 etc and power up the TPC just fine when I use the CAB1 or CAB2.  It baffles me why the CAB1 & CAB2 can send this command and the LCS iOS app can not.

All I'd really like to do is be able to select the TPC and apply track power up to full.  

I believe that was implemented but I'd have to go back and check the release notes for the upgrade.  Maybe Rudy will chime in in the meantime.

mopac01,

Below is a diagram I used to test the system to make sure it worked.  I used a Lionel TPC400 which I understand to be the same as IC Controls TPCs.  I was able to turn the TPC on/off with my iPad.  I am very interested to know if there are other issues with the iOS app that I missed since I'm in the process of wiring my layout now.  Don't want to finish it and find out it doesn't work.

MartyE posted:

I believe that was implemented but I'd have to go back and check the release notes for the upgrade.  Maybe Rudy will chime in in the meantime.

Implemented relative to the LCS iPad app or the LCS iCab app or the Legacy base/CAB2 firmware?  I've tried to find it in the both the LCS iPad app and the LCS iCab app but don't see anything that seems to impact the TPC.   My Legacy base is at 1.52 (as is the CAB2).  The LCS iPad app is version 3.4 and the LCS iCab app is at 1.4.

I really wish someone would do a comprehensive TMCC/Legacy/LCS book like the one we have for DCS.  I appreciate the in app help but things have different "feels" depending on when the software was written (LSU vs iCab vs Cab1 vs Cab2 etc etc) and it sure would be nice to have something comprehensive.  It's difficult to use the in app help on the LCS iPad app while actually trying to do some of the things described in the help.  I'd rather have the help somewhere ELSE to refer to while looking at the actual app. 

As a work around you could change your TPC addresses to ENG addresses. Add a Log Loader with your TPC ID to your app screen off in a corner. The chain drive for the log loader is the Boost button. Turn on the chain and your TPC will power up. Make sure you shut the chain once the TPC is powered.

A little clunky but it works.

mopac01 posted:

MartyE posted:

I believe that was implemented but I'd have to go back and check the release notes for the upgrade.  Maybe Rudy will chime in in the meantime.

Implemented relative to the LCS iPad app or the LCS iCab app or the Legacy base/CAB2 firmware?  I've tried to find it in the both the LCS iPad app and the LCS iCab app but don't see anything that seems to impact the TPC.   My Legacy base is at 1.52 (as is the CAB2).  The LCS iPad app is version 3.4 and the LCS iCab app is at 1.4.

I really wish someone would do a comprehensive TMCC/Legacy/LCS book like the one we have for DCS.  I appreciate the in app help but things have different "feels" depending on when the software was written (LSU vs iCab vs Cab1 vs Cab2 etc etc) and it sure would be nice to have something comprehensive.  It's difficult to use the in app help on the LCS iPad app while actually trying to do some of the things described in the help.  I'd rather have the help somewhere ELSE to refer to while looking at the actual app. 

It's a lot of work to write an all encompassing book.  Ask Barry.  He has a lot of time and work into his books and it shows.

While i have considered it, I have not the time or talent write a book but I'm pretty good at answering questions here or finding someone who can.  There are also so many other talented folks willing to help.

mopac01 posted:

 It's difficult to use the in app help on the LCS iPad app while actually trying to do some of the things described in the help.  I'd rather have the help somewhere ELSE to refer to while looking at the actual app. 

Yes, I can see how jumping back and forth could get in the way. Here's a link to the LCA iPad help system you can open from your computer or another device so you can keep your iPad on the screen you are trying to work with:

http://www.lionel.com/lcs/APP_HELP_LCS/overview.html
http://www.lionel.com/lcs/APP_...EditScreen/edit.html
http://www.lionel.com/lcs/APP_...creen/operating.html

A recent version of iCab added a BOOST button. 

I called Lionel support and after explaining what I was trying to do I was put on hold while the rep went to "talk to our engineer."  When she came back the engineer reported that setting up things there like I had (Cab1 Base + Legacy Base + LCS WiFi + LCS Ser2 + TPC3000 all connected per the LCS manual) they also had no trouble operating the TPC from the CAB2 but could not control power at all via the iCab app.  They were stumped and were going to have to call "our engineering folks" and get back to me.   The only suggestion made was that I had to have the TPC in conventional mode.

In the meantime, the answers shared above allowed me to piece together the solution.  I expect when Lionel gets back to me they will confirm what I've found.  For those that may try to do this after me here is my solution.

First, the TPC needs to be in command mode and NOT conventional if it is to be controlled by the iCab app.  This is easy to accomplish.  You do NOT have to mess with the RUN-PRG switch on the TPC either.  Assume your TPC was previously configured as "TR" 1.  On your Cab1/Cab2 press <TR> then <1> then the <L> at the bottom of your Cab.  (On the Cab1 this will be under the little removable cover below the red control wheel.)   If you then wanted to power on the track connected to this TPC via the Cab2 you'd press <TR> then <1> then roll up on the <BOOST> wheel.  To power off the track connected to this TPC via the Cab2 you'd press <TR> then <1> then <Aux1> then <0>.

To repeat the track power on and power off via the iCab app you would press <TR> (which causes the bottom part of the screen to scroll to a numeric keypad) then <1> then <Enter> as circled: 

For power on you'd then go the regular run screen and press the button with the symbol for Boost (up arrow over a line - circled in green below) or for power off you'd press the reset button (circled in red below) 

If you want the TPC to always be set to this command mode when it first gets plugged in then (again assuming it was configured as "TR" 1) on your Cab1/Cab2 hit <TR> then <1> then <L> then <Set>. 

NOTE: If you do set your TPC to always start in this command mode then you will not be able to run conventional engines via that TPC without TMCC/Legacy decoders in them unless you first put the TPC back into conventional mode.  This is easily done on your Cab1/Cab2 by hitting <TR> then <1> (again assuming it was configured originally as "TR" 1) then <M>.    You'll then be able to use the red knob on the Cab1/Cab2 to once again rotate to the right to increase track voltage and rotate to the left to decrease track voltage.   At this time there appears to be NO way to control a conventional locomotive via varying the track voltage on a TPC through the iCab app.  

As previously noted in this thread, the Boost button on the iCab app wasn't there initially.  So if your run screen doesn't look like the image above then check for an iCab app update in iTunes.  The version of iCab I'm using is 1.4 under iOS 9.2 with a Legacy base at 1.6