New DCS 50-1039 - what all do I need?

I'm new to DCS and have found this book to be amazingly helpful. https://www.amazon.com/DCS-Com...kowitz/dp/1517374391. I believe the author was a well-known and well-respected contributor to this forum, but I did not know him.

Without knowing what you have as far as a layout or it’s design. It’s tough to give an answer. To run trains in the simplest form. You would use a transformer to vary the voltage. The wires that would go from the transformer to the track will now pass through the TIU which will carry the digital signal as well as the power to the trains. Instead of a variable transformer. The voltage will be set to a fixed rate of around 18v. Many just opt for a power brick. No handles involved. Just a fixed voltage. MTH and Lionel both make them. Many prefer the Lionel 180 which features a fast acting breaker. As far as cables. Most opt for Banana Plugs for hooking up the wires. I would go with 14 gauge wires. Automotive wire or a good quality speaker wire will work. You can find these on Amazon. The rest of the layout wiring is sort of unique to each layout. The above will get you running with a small oval.

See if you can purchase a book by Barry Broskowitz. Every thing you will need to know is pretty much covered in the book. The last revision should have the basic wifi info.

Sorry, I should have put my layout size in there.  12' x 12' in an L-shape with separate inner and outer loops each powered by a CW-80.  I had heard about those books by Barry Broskowitz, so I'll look into that.  Appreciate the advice!

I strongly second the suggestion to buy Barry's book. It's the DCS bible. You will find almost of of the answers to your questions in it. It's also an excellent reference when you forget something. I've used it many times. Well worth the buck.

Chris

LVHR

Since the 50-1039 AKA the WTIU (Wireless Track Interface Unit) has not even yet been made, let alone shipping, well you might as well put that on the back burner.

You have 2 CW80s- now is the time to understand basic wiring and anytime 2 transformers are used they should be checked for phase.

Why? Because your trains and most train electronics has a voltage limit of no more than about 18V AC. However, with 2 18V transformers, if they are wired out of phase, the voltage adds and there could be a point on the track or layout where there is 18+18= 36V AC which will blow something sky high.

Highly recommend you follow this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iASQfnE6pCk

Also, while reading a DCS book is good and much of it will be valid, at the same time, we are talking about a device not even yet built, let alone shipped. They have said they intend for a new version of the DCS wifi app, that the firmware and features are different and improved for the WTIU.

I'm just saying, good planning-sure, but let's not get carried away yet either until this thing actually ships.

For the record, I have one on pre-order too, but I also have existing TIUs, WIUs, AIUs, and other boxes like the DCS explorer. Each device has it's own rules, best practices, and wiring examples.  Again, until we get the WTIU as it is shipped and depending on the firmware, things could change, features could change, it's anyone's best guess.

@Vernon Barry posted:

Since the 50-1039 AKA the WTIU (Wireless Track Interface Unit) has not even yet been made, let alone shipping, well you might as well put that on the back burner.

You have 2 CW80s- now is the time to understand basic wiring and anytime 2 transformers are used they should be checked for phase.

Why? Because your trains and most train electronics has a voltage limit of no more than about 18V AC. However, with 2 18V transformers, if they are wired out of phase, the voltage adds and there could be a point on the track or layout where there is 18+18= 36V AC which will blow something sky high.

Highly recommend you follow this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iASQfnE6pCk

Also, while reading a DCS book is good and much of it will be valid, at the same time, we are talking about a device not even yet built, let alone shipped. They have said they intend for a new version of the DCS wifi app, that the firmware and features are different and improved for the WTIU.

I'm just saying, good planning-sure, but let's not get carried away yet either until this thing actually ships.

For the record, I have one on pre-order too, but I also have existing TIUs, WIUs, AIUs, and other boxes like the DCS explorer. Each device has it's own rules, best practices, and wiring examples.  Again, until we get the WTIU as it is shipped and depending on the firmware, things could change, features could change, it's anyone's best guess.

Vernon, thanks.  My layout actually has two completely separate non-connected loops, so not worried about phase for now (that is a very helpful video though, I had seen that one before).  I asked my original question because I figure that it won't be much different from a "hookup" standpoint, and I just wasn't finding what I needed in cyberspace.  I want to make sure I have everything I need for that day when the thing finally ships!  And with the world the way it is now, I wanted to make sure I don't need to pre-order anything else (or go searching on EvilBay or at train shows).  I do still think it behooves me to ready Barry's book.  Thank you again for the response!

Logically, just like now with a TIU, I would recommend using the aux power source (typically a 12-18V AC or DC supply) to power the logic of the TIU. Especially now that it is a wifi unit that has to boot up and be running to even work.

But again, until it ships, we do not yet know exactly and hopefully MTH thought far enough ahead on this because the old way of depending on power into fix channel 1 isn't likely to cut it in a lot of situations. Again, this new unit is going to take time to boot up. It is effectively a wifi unit (more or less a wifi router) and they do not boot instantly.

"I want to make sure I have everything I need for that day when the thing finally ships!"

Again, unrealistic goal. I know a lot, I have the existing versions of what this combined unit is supposed to be like. Even me, I'm not sure I say with 100% assurance I have everything I need, every possible cable or hookup option. Again, cannot stress this enough, they keep changing the design due to trying to get components (or at least that was the latest excuse).

Yes, you are following good practice and it's not a bad question- however, nobody but MTH R&D can really answer the technical pieces and again, worse, that technical answer might very well change.

Again, what will you need?

#1 a track power supply source compatible with the requirements of your trains (this new unit is supposed to support AC and DC). traditionally that for O scale is roughly 8-18V variable AC, or a fixed 18V AC, but since this device supports DC for G and HO, probably similar range in voltage say somewhere like 8-20VDC. But again, it's not built, so the specs could change.

#2 Potentially a separate constant power source for the logic of the WTIU- especially the wireless logic. We hope it's the same as the current TIU, but until produced, does it come with one? Will one that works now with the TIU work? What will the connector type be?

#3 A tablet or phone or other device capable of running the app. Problem is, the app is not yet released so no idea what it runs on. As a point to illustrate, what platform will be released first or both? Apple, or Android/Google Play? Will it only work with certain OS versions? Will it work with older devices? Example, can you have an Amazon Fire tablet to Google Play and install the app and have it work? All the new features work?