Need Help Troubleshooting Wifi Setup

Bumping to see if anyone has any ideas. 

Thanks,  

Chris

 Starting to sound like there's a bug with 6.0 finding TIU's with adapters?

Joe,

No, not for me. That's exactly how one of my TIUs is connected.

OK then. Thanks Barry. Sometimes when I don't have things correct, I get a TIU not found message. Is that a generic message that can mean other things as well? Would poor track signal produce that message?

Joe,

Sometimes when I don't have things correct, I get a TIU not found message. Is that a generic message that can mean other things as well? Would poor track signal produce that message?

With the remote or the app? There can be different reasons depending on which device you're using.

I keep getting the TIU not found message in the app.  Later this weekend I'm going to try using a different TIU to see what happens.

Barry, I was describing a message that popped up with the app.

If I remember correctly, I even got it once when the signal was low, caused by equipment on the rails.

just my opinion, but I'd start looking hard at the phone.

Joe,

If you get a TIU not found message in the app, either the app cannot see the WIU or the WIU isn't seeing the TIU. Track signal has nothing to do with it.

Make sure that you have a good WiFi connection to the WIU and that the WIU's TIU light is on. If you're in Home mode, consider switching to MTH mode.

This and a whole lot more about DCS WiFi is all in MTH’s “The DCS WiFi Companion 1st Edition!" This book is available from many fine OGR advertisers and forum sponsors, or as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store! Get the free TMCC & Legacy Addendum here!

Thanks Barry. I couldn't get it to work on my home router. I always have to use it in MTH mode.

I got a TIU not found message before. My problem is no memory! I just can't remember how I solved that? The lights were on. I'm thinking my aux power source was off? Again, I just don't remember.

 I do remember it would just cycle after hitting refresh and then there weren't any active engines to run. On about the third try, it came back as TIU not found. It kept displaying each message at random after that.

I finally had a couple of hours this afternoon (I gave up on watching the Browns, they are just too painful to watch) to continue troubleshooting my wifi setup.  I removed the TMCC base and serial Y cable to reduce variables.  I tried using another TIU, but apparently the TIU I swapped in has other issues.  I went back to my original TIU, and it works perfectly with the DCS remote, but not with DCS Smartphone app.  I tried deleting the DCS app, restarting my iPhone and downloading it again.  No luck, still didn't work.  Then I tried using an iPad.  Still didn't work.

At this point, the only thing I can think of is to try a different USB to Serial cable, as I have checked every other component.  I don't think it is the serial cable because the TIU light is solid on the wifi unit.  In addition. when I am in MTH mode I don't get any TIU not found errors (I just don't see any engines in the DCS app, but again I can operate with my remote just fine).  I do get the "TIU not found" when trying to use my home network (I thought I had it configured properly, but I need to check it again. 

At this point I am pretty much out of ideas.  I love DCS and have really been looking forward to using the DCS app on my iPhone, but I am going to stick with using the remote (since it is the only thing that works right now).  I work with computers for a living, but I just can't believe how complicated this entire setup is.  Hopefully one day I will get it to work.  Thanks again for the tips and encouragement. 

OK, don't get ticked at me for asking about fundamentals.  When I see what you're seeing, one of the most common causes is that I didn't move the handle up on the Z4K.  So, in my case, the TIU is not actually powered and therefore, neither is the track.  

I recommend setting the WIU to MTH mode (AP).  Then, connect directly from your device.  Make sure the TIU is powered via fixed 1 or aux.  I prefer fixed 1 for trouble shooting.  Then, confirm power is on the track with a known good engine.  Reset the app (app settings => app reset) just to clear it for good measure.  Hard close the app after reset and reopen it.  Then, hit refresh (little circular arrow in the upper left).  The result should be nothing.  That is, no errors just the main control screen staring at you with the "choose or add engine" at the top.  Tap that "choose or add engine" text to open the engine list.  Then tap add engine => add MTH engine.  

If the app doesn't find the engine on the track then the error becomes important.  There are several possibilities including "No TIUs found", "No engine to add", or just nothing happens.  With the results of these steps, contact MTH service and talk with a tech.  They can talk you through some more detailed steps to identify where the problem is.

One thing you might also try to help provide information is connect to the WIU using a laptop.  Connect the laptop via Wi-Fi to the MTH network.  Then open a browser.  In the url type the IP address 192.168.143.1.  If you are truly connected to the WIU and it's working properly, it will open Luci, our web interface.  Take a look around and see what firmware version is loaded, etc.  This may help the tech.  The main reason I suggest this is to confirm the WIU is fine. 

Your overall scenario sounds like the WIU may not be compatible with your serial to USB adapter.  Try a different one.  I've found some that do not work.  We recommend Sabrent CB-DB9P adapters.  They are available on Amazon or at Best Buy.

If there is another wifi source in the house and the phone is connected to that I don't think it will connect to the WIU at the same time. Provided wifi is turned on in the phone. If not then it's not going to connect to either one if there is another source.  Maybe that's just too simple to be the problem.