So, you connect a WIU to a TIU that doesn’t have the square USB port with the RS connector.
Are there any issues or differences between the USB or RS ?
which is better?
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You will need a USB/serial cable adapter. I use one from Belkin (I don’t recall the model). BestBuy or similar store should have one and there is always amazon.
Dan's right on the money. The USB-to-DB9 serial adapter works great. In some regards it's actually a better option than direct USB connection because you don't need to disconnect/turn off the WIU when powering down the TIU for resetting/testing.
That's the problem I have been having. I turn off my layout when I am not using it. That being the case, the WIU loses connection with the TIU. Not an issue when you turn everything on all at once. But let a derailment take place, or a need to turn off the power to the TIU, especially when you power it using the Fixed In port as I do, and even though the WIU remains on, it appears, using computer terms, to become unable to Ping the TIU once power is restored. At first I would unplug and plug the WIU back in, but I found a power switch that plugs into the outlet that you can easily turn on and off. So now I just turn off the WIU and turn it back on again and let it go through its power up ritual. Time consuming, but effective. A USB connection actually powers the TIU using power from the WIU as a source. Because the TIU doesn't get turned completely off when the breaker the kicks, the WIU is able to remain in contact with the TIU. One way I could have gone about this was to use my transformer plug which has the correct size barrel jack and use that to plug in to the auxiliary power port on the TIU. By doing this I could have continuous power flowing to the TIU the same as I would if I had purchased a newer version of the TIU with a dedicated USB port. Trouble is, I needed the transformer to power another track, so I just went with the $9 plug in switch.
I used to use the USB to connect to my TIU on the bench for programming engines. A recent Windows update scrambled the ability to use the USB to my TIU, so I started using the serial port. Like the others are saying, it's actually better as now don't get a problem with the layout TIU if I forget to unplug the bench USB cable.
