TIU Newest revision

Your TIU just needs the latest software update which is probably DCS Version 6.10.  (free download)

I would recommend the REV L tiu is best but you can buy older rev number but rev L has the best signal strength! if you do purchase an older rev tiu make sure you run the latest software 6.10 in tiu n remote! see below!

RRAddict posted:

I posted this originally in the wrong forum. If I am going to run TMCC and DCS from the App, do I need the newest TIU?

Two answers:

1. if you already have a TIU, you do not need buy a new one.  As Susan said, make sure you have DCS 6.1.
2. if you are going to buy a TIU, go with Alan’s recommendation but make sure the software is 6.1

I forgot to mention that I wanted to use the WIU too. I managed to pick a L version TIU up at a great price today from Ray's Electric Trains. It has a USB and serial which is what you need to use the WIU.

Note the Rev. L isn't a panacea, they have more issues with component damage from transient voltage spikes.

No choice though if I want to run my TMCC stuff through the WIU since my current TIU only has a serial port it is not possible to do that. I do not understand why MTH would produce products that could cause damage. That sounds a lot irresponsible.

The WIU works with any version of the TIU, you just need a serial<->USB adapter, about $12-15.

I have one of those but the TMCC cable cannot plug into the TIU if it is occupied by the WIU or am I missing something.

Here we go again.  The Rev L is a very good product.  Yes some components have been damaged, primarily with large layouts at clubs where the use and abuse is much, much higher.  John's comment is being given and or taken out of context to a degree.

Nobody intentionally designed a product to have failures. 

The PS-2 3V board is susceptible to AC spikes that take out the audio amp, and I have replaced a ton of them (but there are millions of them out there fine), but nobody says the PS-2 3v board is a bad board.  It is a great one.  

the ps 2 3 volt board is the best board MTH ever designed, I would rather have that board then any other !

I have four TIUs. I sold my first one to NJHRs by their request for early models. I replaced it with another older used model.

I have never had one fail. That's around 15 years for me. Lots of derails and accidents.

Put a 10 amp auto bade fuse inline with each TIU input channel and protect them! If you keep popping them you have to change something.

I have had 3 TIU's on my layout since 2004.  No issues.  You just keep them up to date.  

Getting the Wi-Fi was the best thing I ever did.  

John

"but a company should still try not to put a product on the market that can be responsible for damaging equipment." 

I, and I'm certain, MTH, take offense to this comment. MTH never tried to put a TIU on the market that is/was responsible for damaging an engine. And conversely, no MTH engine was ever designed to purposely damaged a TIU. That said, derailments can damage TIUs and devices are present within to minimize said damage. But damage can still occur and repairs are inevitable.  It is a fact of life and goes with the territory.

Chris

LVHR

They do have a warranty to cover the issues that could occur in the first year, but just like your warranty for your car requires periodic maintenance and non abusive operation so it goes with trains.

You would be surprised at how some folks operate and abuse TIU with significant overloads and such.

I have seen a layout with 80 amps effectively in parallel to a large home layout via several segments so that 6 powered AC motor engines could operate together in a lashup.  Upon derailment not only did the electronics get fried, metal parts got fused via arc welding.  G

I had a Revision L TIU that had the tiny TVS fail on Fixed 2. Had recommended circuit protection but still died. Sent it back to MTH, they replaced all the tiny TVS diodes with larger ones under warranty, and it's been fine since.