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Hi gang,

The whistle steam on my new restoration Big Boy is not working. Stack steam is working. Hoping someone can help me troubleshoot the problem.

  • I've added smoke fluid.
  • I've blown into the opening several times to clear any bubbles
  • I'm using a DCS Explorer and mobile app. I do not have full DCS with the TIU.

Thanks,

Cyril

Last edited by CyrilW
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The problem is, you have to be both using the quilling whistle function and also have turned on whistle smoke. Then since you are using the app- the whistle pull cord must be showing Purple to be in quilling mode for whistle steam to actually work. So yes, a couple of conditions and settings for  it to work properly.

Also, double tapping the whistle cord switches it between white mode- normal non quilling, and purple- once you have enabled Playable Whistle under settings. required for quilling and whistle steam to work. Again, this option or feature only kicks in after first under the settings tab enabling quilling and whistle steam turned on.

This is for using a DCS remote.  The rules are the same- both quilling whistle and whistle steam has to be turned on- but the "how you do that in the remote" is different than the app. Also, since the remote uses the thumb wheel for quilling, you lose speed control function when using the whistle, where as in the app with the pull cord, you have both functions the speed dial and the pull down cord.

Hence- I find running a whistle steam engine actually better and easier under the app than the DCS remote.

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Last edited by Vernon Barry

Again, in the app, when you add a steaming whistle capable engine, then there will be 2 extra menu items that do not occur on non-quilling and non-steaming whistle.

Then after you enable that, the whistle cord will be Purple. This indicates it is in quilling mode.



Here is a video

Again, note that first you have to enable the functions under settings. Then after that, you will then have the purple whistle cord indicating you are in quilling mode. Then if you want, you can double tap the whistle cord to switch to white non-quilling mode.

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IMG_3168
Last edited by Vernon Barry

So it sounds like I don't have whistle steam because I can't enable the quilling whistle in the basic version of the DCS app. The DCS Explorer only allows basic functions in the app. In order to unlock the full functionality, I have to upgrade to the TIU. (waiting on a WTIU that's been pre-ordered) Here's what I see on the settings menu.

IMG_77C96E52EFB4-1

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Last edited by CyrilW
@CyrilW posted:

So it sounds like I don't have whistle steam because I can't enable the quilling whistle in the basic version of the DCS app. The DCS Explorer only allows basic functions in the app. In order to unlock the full functionality, I have to upgrade to the TIU. (waiting on a WTIU that's been pre-ordered) Here's what I see on the settings menu.

IMG_77C96E52EFB4-1

That is correct. You need the WiFi unit and TIU along with the upgraded app. The DCS Exployer is basic functions with the free app. You do not need to upgrade to the highest cost for the upgraded app only the mid grade version which I believe is $10 instead of $30. The $30 upgrade is only needed if you are using Legacy engines with the MTH app. It's been awhile since I purchased my upgraded app so the prices may have changed.

Brad

In the past, I thought I used my DCS explorer with steaming whistle. I say that because I also have an HO PS3 Berkshire with steaming whistle- however, there is a caveat- HO works differently than O scale and the whistle steam on that engine worked differently.

Unfortunately, in trying to test this, my DCS explorer has flaked out on me and I cannot get the wifi interface working to even connect to it.

I've tried resetting it, I've tried using home mode to connect to my home network (normally use MTH network it creates). I've ordered a USB to ethernet adapter but won't have that for a day or two.

Sorry if I'm resurrecting an old thread. I find myself in a similar situation, wasn't into MTH prior, got a few new MTH engines and preordered the new WTIU. I decided I better get an explorer, better than nothing, and a new shay with whistle steam isn't doing the whistle steam. If I upgrade $$ the app, will the explorer do whistle steam? Don't want to waste my money if it doesn't.
Thanks,
John

No, the explorer does NOT support whistle steam, nor does it currently (this is all software- not hardware reasons why not) doesn't support the upgrade license of the app either.

I started this topic about it and we still do not have anything back from @MTH RD

https://ogrforum.com/...c/162475944998892873

"MTH DCS Explorer Upgrade License for the DCS app pitch- unlock the features!!"

The problem is, you have to be both using the quilling whistle function and also have turned on whistle smoke. Then since you are using the app- the whistle pull cord must be showing Purple to be in quilling mode for whistle steam to actually work. So yes, a couple of conditions and settings for  it to work properly.

Also, double tapping the whistle cord switches it between white mode- normal non quilling, and purple- required for quilling and whistle steam to work. Again, this option or feature only kicks in after first under the settings tab enabling quilling and whistle steam turned on.

This is for using a DCS remote.  The rules are the same- both quilling whistle and whistle steam has to be turned on- but the "how you do that in the remote" is different than the app. Also, since the remote uses the thumb wheel for quilling, you lose speed control function when using the whistle, where as in the app with the pull cord, you have both functions the speed dial and the pull down cord.

Hence- I find running a whistle steam engine actually better and easier under the app than the DCS remote.

My 20-3807 Big Boy does not need the SPW (Sound Playable Whistle) activated in order to get the FSW (Function Steaming Whistle) to operate while using my DCS remote.

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