Need help with LCS WiFi- one sensor track has failed - fixed-thanks for the help!

What version software is on your base and Cab?  Doubt this is the issue but let's start there. 

Both are 1.52.

So just to wrap my head around this. The sensor track works by itself and the wifi works by itself?

is the WiFi switch set to Base?

Well, both did until the sensor track went to a bright red light and then a dim flashing red light. Both would work by themselves but not together. WiFi switch is set to base and I can pull my engine roster to the IPad.

I'm not sure this even possible but could one of the cable been plugged in 180 from the connector?  Causing the issue. I don't see anything in the setup that should cause what you are seeing on the sensor track. 

At this point anything is possible. I was trying several ports and cables and I was taking my time. Now my question is what next? I am sure the sensor track is defective but what about the WiFi? I sure wish the manuals had better trouble shooting guides.

I still do not understand the steady green light from the sensor track, why would it do that? That one issue is what started this whole disaster.

I'm not sure how much troubleshooting can be done. Unfortunately it's almost one of those it either works or doesn't kind of thing. Either a cable issue or component. 

What at is the status of the red led on the WiFi?

Not sure how much more I can help. It sounds like one of the devices has failed. Hopefully Rudy can chime in and help further. The sensor track lights are not behaving as expected as you have realized. 

Red light comes on then goes out. Just went and fired up an engine and ran a loop. Switches work and engine controls work from the IPad.

This sucks and I really appreciate the help.

Okay, with Marty asking about the red light I decided to connect the cable that comes from the Legacy base to the other port since the manual says it does not matter and I get a steady red light on the WiFi. So, it looks like the WiFi unit failed and took the sensor track with it. This stuff is getting expensive to have to buy another WiFi and sensor track. Not happy. I will contact to see if I can send this back but that will take more time and who knows.

Jeff,

The items should be in warranty, and I would try another cable between the WiFi and the Sensor track next.  You can put the modules in either order.  If by some chance one of the ports on the WiFi is out, loop thru the sensor track first.

I would connect the starter cable to both ports on both modules to see if the red light goes out on the WiFi, and the green light goes out on the sensor track. 

The Sensor track has the Red and Green LEDs reversed, so the green solid on is loss of base connection.  The reversal was done because Red indicates recording mode.

To Summarize:

Red solid on WiFi, no link to base.  (power cycle the base may be good when you change connections).

Green solid on on Sensor Track, no link to base (again, power cycle the base when you change connections.

Try putting sensor track in the loop first.

Try a new cable between the modules

If any module is not working, get it replaced.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Jon,

I had already done all of those procedures so now it will be time to try and sort out where I will have to send this stuff in and be without for an unknown time. Really is a big bummer since I was looking forward to running trains with the IPad this weekend. I had already bought spare cables to add another sensor track and SER2 but that will be on hold since this stuff has gone out. When I put the sensor track inline first then the WiFi it made no difference.

I did try routing through the sensor track again and all red and dead on both the sensor track and WiFi. Whatever let go did it well. Now to argue with getting it exchanged....

So, Captaincog,have you been powering everything off when making all of the connections or connecting them with power on?

All power, transformer, base and LCS power adapter, should be off when making\changing connections.

Making a hot connection can fry a device or corrupt encoding.

The sensor track electronics makes no connection of any kind to the rails, it's strictly connected to the power and communications through the LCS cable.

Yes, power is off for all connections. I use a wireless transmitter that turns off all power  and the main power socket with the push of a button and I have lights to indicate power on and off prior to working on anything.

Jeff,

This is off the wall, but want you to check something.

Check the male pins that the cables plug into to check to see if any are bent or missing.

I sometimes put a spot of CA glue on shrouds that are loose on connectors, perhaps that's what is needed here.

Hello Dennis,

I did look at that last night and the pins were not bent per say but there did appear to be a little bit of distortion. I never forced and connections in and as cjack stated the sockets do not appear to be well supported.

Thanks. I called the dealer where I purchased it and now have to send this stuff back and wait on their time. It looks like I will just have to buy another one since I have no time frame on the replacement/repair.

Wife suggested just get another one and have a backup. She really is a doll. As soon as some shops open that are not quite local it might be time for a road trip.....

Jeff, keep us posted as I have not had time to do anything with mine, maybe tomorrow!

So, the latest update is this:

After several calls I found an LHS that had the sensor track, WiFi, and even the SER2 in stock. The staff there were nice which was completely opposite of a previous experience that I had when I went there last year. Even though I paid full list, they held the parts and even worked on getting some other stuff for me so I got my money's worth in service.

Now, I was a much happier camper going home and on the way home I dropped off the return package that is getting shipped out. It was funny for both of us when he asked if there was anything fragile or that could be broken and then paused...."oh wait, these are already broken...oops!" We both has a good laugh.

I got home and carefully plugged everything in one at a time. I would recommend supporting the PDI receptacle against the board with your fingers and gently insert the cables. As others have pointed out the sockets do seem fragile. So, first was WiFi, then SER2, the sensor track, and I plugged in the DCS into the SER2. All the red PDI cable lights and the green sensor track light came on for a moment then all went out unlike before. I programmed the sensor track and then turned on the IPad.

All went well for most of the time then I got WiFi signal loss. I think someone was trying to use it as hotspot? Not sure. I reread the manual and moved up to channel 8 which seems to have cured the communications issue. My house is set-up for wireless internet and we have a wireless security system so there are a lot of signals bouncing around.

What I noticed is that with the Cab2 set to the engine and the IPad app being used the Cab2 gets updated also. I like this feature since one could control another engine in case of a mishap. My further experiments will be to change the ZW-L track addresses to engine addresses and I am thinking if I do then  I should be able to control track power from the IPad app.

Happy so far....actually thrilled that this all works as well as it does. I really like the engine roster update feature. I can take pictures with the IPad and save those pictures of the engine to my roster. Darned neat! Once the other defective units are repaired I will have a spare WiFi unit just in case and I have a place for another sensor track...or two....

Thanks again to everyone for all of the help!

I can control my ZW-C so the L should be a piece of cake. 

Glad you are up and running!  

Yes, I reprogrammed the power feeds as engines and all is good. Ran it again today just to make sure all was working. Now to install some more command switches.....