The red light in my TIU comes on when my Wifi module is powered up.
Now that I am powering wifi all the time, should I unplug my auxiliary input 12volt source?
Original Post
Bob,
Now that I am powering wifi all the time, should I unplug my auxiliary input 12volt source?
No, you should not.
The power from the WIU's USB connection is just enough to power the TIU's electronics, however, itdoes not provide enough power to actually run the DCS signal generators. Consider the following scenario.
You're operating trains on TIU Fixed Channel #1 and Fixed Channel #2. The TIU is getting enough power for the DCS signal generators from Fixed #1, however, not from the USB port. There's a derailment on Fixed #1 and Fixed Channel #1's circuit breaker trips. Now, Fixed Channel #2 is still getting power, however, there's no DCS signal to control the train that it's powering.
As I said, it's not a good idea. 
