MTH DCS Wi-Fi support

What was your issue?

The iPhone Apt did not always allow engines to be placed in "active" mode.  Sometimes when it was in active mode, I would press on the whistle or bell and nothing would happen.  Sometimes the train would be moving but I lost control while using the MTH Wi-Fi signal.  If you press the (+) button several times, it jumps to 120 smph.  Once I used the uncouple feature and then hit the (R) for reverse but it kept going forward and I there was only 3 feet between the iPhone and the MTH antenna.  At times, the engines were running but I lost control and it stated "No TIU available" but my MTH remote was working fine.  I got a refresh command and it brought back the engine.  I simply tried to find out from MTH if I was doing something wrong and why the system works sometimes while other times it doesn't. 

     Basically I placed one engine on track one and another on track two.  After placing them both into my MTH Apt, I selected one at a time, started them up, and ran them forward.  I then tried to get fancy and try things like pressing the uncouple feature, separate the cars, then reversing them to recouple the cars again.  That is when the engine would not reverse.  I had to shut down the Apt on my iPhone, re-open it and attempt to start up the engine again.  Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't.

Rich,

You should be aware that the app can behave just like a remote as regards issues that may be due to the TIU or layout wiring. If one has weak signal strength, the app will have issues just as a remote would have.

FWIW, I haven't experienced any issues that are similar to what you're describing.

What would cause it to have a weak signal?  The wiring layout was the same for years without any prior problems but of course that was with my MTH remotes.  Today, my iPhone was charged up to 100% and it was only 3 feet from the Wi-Fi antenna when the issues developed.  Everything was working fine with my MTH remotes, I was simply trying the iPhone Apt to see how it works.  It did work for awhile but that was just when I was doing simple things like increasing and decreasing the speed of an engine, sounding the horn on occasion, ringing the bell, etc.  When I kept changing from one engine to another, that is when it seemed to give me problems and why I tried to get an answer from MTH but without success since their expert is on vacation.  I guess I will have to simply wait until he returns and then put the Apt through a series of test with him on the phone and try to figure what is wrong.  Thanks!

Rich,

Everything was working fine with my MTH remotes

If you used the same engine on the same loop of track with both the DCS App and a DCS Remote, there are only a few possible culprits:

• Your WiFi home network is having issues or there's some WiFi interference
• Your iPhone has a WiFi problem (really not very likely)
• There's a problem in the cable between the WIU and the TIU
• There's an issue with the WIU itself
• You've encountered a bug in the DCS App that has thus far escaped detection.

If you allow your smart device to sleep, you have to re-establish the connection and re read the engines into the active list.  There is a ticket to change this.

I'm guessing that you accidentally hit 120 when trying to hit +  I would suggest setting a MAX speed so this doesn't happen.  

I feel we will see more of this with the location of the '+' button so close to the '120-max'.  Reversing the position of the '+' and '-' buttons would resolve the problem of ill positioned fingers. As more apps get into users hands I'm sure we will see running changes or version updates. These will be much easier and quicker to implement with a smart device as opposed to the remote handheld, a big plus.

Jim,

Reversing the position of the '+' and '-' buttons would resolve the problem of ill positioned fingers

It would also make the placement anti-intuitive. Regardless, the problem is self-correcting. Few will make that mistake more than once, maybe twice if they're really slow to learn.

With regards to hitting the plus and minus icons and hitting the 120 by accident on the gauge, I will be curious if this is only an issue for those who use their phones for operation vs like my self I use, the i pad with its larger screen. Time will tell but I can see folks point where a finger can hit it easier on the small screen. Hope Iam clear.

When I called MTH the other day, the woman on the phone told me that the + and - buttons are only if an individual wants to increase the speed by a few numbers.  She said that tapping the + key rapidly does cause the speed to automatically increase to 120 smph which is what I happened to me since I tried it several times and it went to 120.  Today I went to another friends house who was using a different Wi-Fi unit and an Apple iPod.  His system worked flawlessly but he too noticed the issue with the + key.  He said that it happened to him twice and during that time, the red E was pressed but nothing happened.  Lucky for him he was close to the Z-4000 and immediately powered down to prevent his train from going off the track.  I was the first to receive one out of the case at my dealer so maybe I received a lemon.  MTH called me and said that Jason would contact me back on Monday when he returns from vacation.  I think Santa is bringing me an iPad for Christmas so I will see if that works any better than my iPhone.  I really enjoyed running the trains with the iPad at my friends today.  Since I only had diesel and modern electric engines on my track, it wasn't until I saw his Apt that I noticed the horn had a different look.  It had a handle rather than a horn which you slide the handle down to make the whistle sound.  That was really neat!  If other individuals on this forum learn of any other quirks with their Wi-Fi, please continue to post them since it is definitely helpful.  Thanks!    

Barry and Don you both make valid points.  I could see this occurring more on the smaller devices like an i-phone (fast-finger syndrome, limited space) and after a few incidents it should become self-correcting.  Personally I will be using an I-pad mini which is an optimum size and I don't see this problem being an issue.  Regardless, we and MTH are all on a learning curve with this exciting new way of running trains. The future looks bright.

Set your max speed under 120 and the problem is solved.  Who runs at 120mph?????

I haven't received my WUI as yet so I have to ask, does the free app have a max speed setting? If it does there should be no 120 startup issues. I would assume (yah, yah I know) the paid app has it.

The main issue with trains going to 120 is when you tap the + key rapidly several times.  The speedometer jumps to 120 which requires immediate action and sometimes the Wi-Fi does not respond quickly enough.  In my case and another individual, we simply powered the Z-4000 down before a problem developed.  There was no intent on running the trains at 120 smph, we just wanted to increase the speed from 10 to about 40 and thought taping the + sign would accomplish that.  If you tap it slowly there is no problem.  I've been using the speedometer and have had no issues increasing or decreasing the speed of my trains with that method.  Just be careful of the + and taping it quickly! 

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Hamilton Twp., NJ!

Chalk it up to the learning curve. However, it'sgood to know this and any other tidbits before my Wiu arrives.

I just received my Apple iPad Air 2, downloaded the MTH Wi-Fi App, tried to sign on to the MTH Wi-Fi network (MTH_CDS-4478) entered the passcode (mthdcswifi) and it kept telling me that the passcode was incorrect and unable to connect.  I called AppleCare + for help and they had me uninstall the MTH Apt, reload it, do a hard re-set for the iPad Air 2, etc. but everything is telling me that the passcode is incorrect.  I am still successful signing on to the MTH Wi-Fi network with my iPhone using the same passcode but not with this new device.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to get access to my iPad Air 2 and sign on to the MTH Wi-Fi?  Thanks!

Hello Rich, Did you try using caps ex: MTHDCSWIFI instead of mthdcswifi?????....................rogerw.

Roger, I just tried it in caps even though the user manual has it in lower case but that did not work either.  The ApplelCare+ escalated the issue to a supervisor but she too was not able to figure it out.  She provided me with the following link:  http://mthtrains.com/dcs-app-contact-form which is simply a way of sending my problem to MTH in writing.  Jason from MTH is contacting me on Monday regarding some other issues so I will simply add this to my list.  Thanks anyway!

David,

"Who runs at 120"?  

A 10 old neighborhood kid named Charlie who is faster on his feet than greased lightening who came over to see (and run) the trains.  Who knew an old beat up mpc era loco could hit warp speed sooo fast!!  Lesson learned -  pause all "blinking" whenever a 10 year old is in train room !

Ed

Rich G, Here is the new up-to-date instructions from MTH. Try this link:

http://mthtrains.com/sites/def...ction/50as13515i.pdf

Thanks, I'll be reading it to see if I can figure something out but my gut feeling is if it works on my iPhone, it should be working on my iPad.  If it wasn't Christmas, I'd be calling my friend to take my new iPad to his house and see if it runs his trains.  My iPhone worked well the other day at his house at the exact same time as his iPad and we both controlled the same engines using two different devices.   

Hello Rich G. I have the Standard app on my 4th generation I-pad and my Android phone. Both works well on my layout (37' X 20' using 1 TIU). I also had my club members come over to my house and use their phones to run my layout. I had a few glitches with the Android phones (signal issues), but I got them worked out before our club session was done. I also added a stronger antenna to the WIU to get a better signal to the Android phones. The Apple I- pads work great...........rogerw.

12/26/15 Here's the latest with my situation.  My trains run on the MTH Wi-Fi with my iPhone but not my Christmas present, an Apple iPad Air 2.  I went to my friends house this morning and was able to run his trains using both of my devices, my iPhone and my iPad Air 2.  I returned home and again tried the iPad Air 2 and when I attempt to sign in to the MTH App Wi-Fi signal (MTH_DCS-4478) it still tells me "incorrect passcode".  I typed mthdcswifi and again received the same message.  I went to my Apple iPhone, went to the MTH App and my trains ran with no problems.  The only difference between my location and my friends was that when I signed onto his MTH Wi-Fi signal it said (MTH_DCS-3CAA) but I believe that each MTH Wi-Fi device probably has its own identity.  So I've determined that it is not my new iPad Air 2 but appears to be something else.  Any ideas?  Barry do you want to chime in?  I've contacted AppleCare+ and they said to contact MTH which I will do tomorrow unless someone else has an idea.  Thanks in advance to any and all suggestions!

Hello Rich, are you using you home router to connect to the WIU? or are you using MTH Home to connect your I-pad??............rogerw.

I'm using MTH Wi-Fi, not my home router.  Again one device works (my iPhone) and the other does not (my new iPad Air 2) where both devices work at my friends house on his MTH Wi-Fi network using his MTH Wi-Fi signal.   I simply cannot get past the passcode (mthdcswifi) since it keeps telling me that I have the incorrect passcode.  After typing it twice, it states that there is a failure.  I have deleted the Apt, re-installed it, and still receive the same message.  I'm really thinking that there is something wrong with the actual device but again any help/advice is greatly appreciated.     

Hello Rich, did you upgrade your TIU to Ver. 5.0? I'm at my layout now running the MTH WIU with my I-pad and Android phone. Hopefully I can help you get your layout linked to the WIU..................rogerw.

Yes I did, all four TIU's and all four MTH remotes are 5.0, I have the Wi-Fi connect only to one TIU, TIU 3 and again it works on my iPhone not the iPad Air 2. 

Hello Rich, Can you try connecting your WIU to TIU 1?.......rogerw.

Roger:  I just sent you an email since I have to leave shortly.  My TIU's are numbered TIU 2, TIU 3, TIU 4, and TIU 5.  The one that works my regular layout is TIU 3 for track 1 and track 2.  The others work my yard in another room, my subways on another level, and my large scale from the ceiling.

Rich G.    

Rich,

Is it possible that you or someone else, somehow managed to change the WIU's password while logged in with the iPhone and before you attempted to login with the iPad? If someone did, and then used the new password to login to the WIU from the iPhone one time, the iPhone would remember the new password and automatically use it every time the iPhone logs in. However, the iPad would be clueless as regards the updated password.

If this is the case, you can just press and hold the reset button on the side of the WIU to reset the box completely. This should restore the original password. Then, you could login with both devices using the original password, "mthdcswifi".

I don't know fore sure if the WIU needs to be under power when resetting or not, however, I expect that it needs to powered.

Why Can't I find the Lash-up feature on the app? Why am I not seeing it? I upgraded to the paid app. 

Marc C, you can only get the lash up feature on the premium app. The premium app won't be released until sometime in 2016.............rogerw.

ROGERW posted:

Marc C, you can only get the lash up feature on the premium app. The premium app won't be released until sometime in 2016.............rogerw.

Thanks Roger.

But Ouch, that's a little hard to swallow. Although I've come to accept and expect the unexpected. I imagine if we've purchased the upgrade already we will have to purchase the Premium app too?

Man when you think about it.....$300.00 for DCS $150.00 for the Wifi, $5.00 to upgrade to the full app and then $$$$?? to go premium?  oh well. Its what we do. 

Thanks,

Marc

Hello Marc C, you only have to pay the difference in price when the premium app is released. I think the premium app is $25.00 (don't quote me on this price!!) If the premium app is $25.00, you should have to pay $20.00 for the app because you've already paid $4.99 for the Standard app.................rogerw.

ROGERW posted:

Hello Marc C, you only have to pay the difference in price when the premium app is released. I think the premium app is $25.00 (don't quote me on this price!!) If the premium app is $25.00, you should have to pay $20.00 for the app because you've already paid $4.99 for the Standard app.................rogerw.

Thanks for the info Roger!

We'll manage.  

Barry:  I just tried to re-set the MTH Wi-Fi by pressing in and holding the button located by WPS.  I did this with power on and then with the power off and neither method worked since it still will not accept the MTH password.  I was still able to connect with my iPhone but not my iPad. 

I was the only one to type in the password to the iPhone and the iPad and I know I typed the correct password, mthdcswifi.  Is there another way to re-set the Wi-Fi or did I do it correctly?  Any other ideas?  I was thinking of taking my MTH Wi-Fi to my friends house tomorrow and plug it in and see if he can sign on using his iPad and my Wi-Fi unit, other than that I think I'm just about out of options other than to contact MTH on Monday who will probably tell me to return it to my dealer for a replacement.  Thanks! 

Rich,

I was thinking of taking my MTH Wi-Fi to my friends house tomorrow and plug it in and see if he can sign on using his iPad and my Wi-Fi unit, 

That would be the logical next step.

12/27/15 Just tried another iPad with my MTH Wi-Fi and typed in the password (mthdcswifi) and it states "incorrect" so for some reason this device simply will not allow anything other than my iPhone to operate the trains.  I'm going to try and replace it at the dealer if he still has any left and then let MTH figure it out!  Thanks for everyone's advice and help.  Happy New Year.

Rich G.

12/28/15 This is really weird!  I tried my iPhone & iPad today on my MTH Wi-Fi system.  For those who have been following this thread, my iPhone works but I cannot get past the passcode on my iPad device.  It keeps telling me "Incorrect Password".  So I took my MTH Wi-Fi device, my iPhone & iPad to the train dealer just now.  I signed onto his MTH Wi-Fi using both my iPhone & iPad and both worked.  My iPad even accepted the password, mthdcswifi using his Wi-Fi.  I then disconnected the stores MTH Wi-Fi and plugged mine into his system.  Amazing both my iPhone and iPad accepted the signal and allowed me to sign in and run the trains.  Now I did this twice at the dealer just to make sure that my iPad was working properly and it worked again.  I then took it home, connected it to my layout and again no problem with my iPhone but it kept asking me for a password with my iPad.  You guessed it, I typed "mthdcswifi" and still received the same error message, "incorrect password".  Called MTH and they are trying to work things out but right now they are at a loss as to what's going on.  Just thought some might have a similar problem which for now seems to be something going on within my home since it did work at the dealers location twice.  The dealers thoughts are "Rich your house is haunted".  The dealer offered to exchange the device but since it's working there, I decided to try and figure things out.  That might be my next decision if MTH cannot figure this thing out.  They are troubleshooting in Michigan and hopefully will have an answer soon.  Barry, I thought you might want a challenge also?  Lastly, MTH had me sign on using my HP laptop to see if a signal was received and it was.  We typed in a number to ping the device and it was working the way it was supposed to indicating that the device is functioning properly, just not connecting to the iPad as of yet for some unknown reason.  Stay tuned