I saw a Video of a Lionel VisionLine Triplex with the wheels being ‘perplexed’ not sure what direction to move. Sean has captured what the issue is. It would be beneficial if Lionel could add any info? . @Dave Olson
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Big Boy Trains has also documented the problem on You Tube. I would like to hear what Lionel plans to do. I have 2 of these Triplexes in shipment to me and will see how they run on 2 digit addressing.
@Dave 69 GTEL posted:Big Boy Trains has also documented the problem on You Tube. I would like to hear what Lionel plans to do. I have 2 of these Triplexes in shipment to me and will see how they run on 2 digit addressing.
Dave, mine run with no issues on 2 digit. However the Whistle Smoke is very weak.
Yes Sean of Sean's Train Depot has demonstrated a fix for the problem on this forum but it requires considerable technical ability to disassemble the Triplex and improve the whistle smoke apparatus. It's brilliant. It works. But it's beyond me.
@Dave 69 GTEL posted:Yes Sean of Sean's Train Depot has demonstrated a fix for the problem on this forum but it requires considerable technical ability to disassemble the Triplex and improve the whistle smoke apparatus. It's brilliant. It works. But it's beyond me.
Yes, I did see that. Looked pretty simple once the engine is all apart, however, I am with you….. I have the desire, but lack the skill.
@Alabama Joe posted:I saw a Video of a Lionel VisionLine Triplex with the wheels being ‘perplexed’ not sure what direction to move. Sean has captured what the issue is. It would be beneficial if Lionel could add any info? . @Dave Olson
Yes, keep in mind, these are all Guesses as to the actual cause of the issue with the wheels out of sync or dragging.
But on mine I can make the issue happen with the 4D addressing and disappear with 2 digits (position of the switch) after clearing Base of those engine ID's. With 2 digit I have run it for over an hour and no issues.
But we have like 3 new design things happening simultaneously (Base 3/Cab3 App), Generation 2 - 4 Digit Addressing and an engine with essentially 2 radios.
It is very hard to tell where the issue actually is and only Lionel knows exactly where it lies.
But for sure the two halves of the engine are getting bad commands causing these weird issues. Everyone is concentrating on the wheels because it is most obvious, but in actuality other things don't work when this happens (sounds are not right, on mine the Bell wouldn't function, etc.)
It would be a great gesture for Lionel to just tell us what the issue is they have discovered and the steps for the resolution for it, so everyone can get it resolved and get the real facts.
I have a TalktoUs sent and am waiting for a response.
@Sean's Train Depot posted:Yes, keep in mind, these are all Guesses as to the actual cause of the issue with the wheels out of sync or dragging.
But on mine I can make the issue happen with the 4D addressing and disappear with 2 digits (position of the switch) after clearing Base of those engine ID's. With 2 digit I have run it for over an hour and no issues.
But we have like 3 new design things happening simultaneously (Base 3/Cab3 App), Generation 2 - 4 Digit Addressing and an engine with essentially 2 radios.
It is very hard to tell where the issue actually is and only Lionel knows exactly where it lies.
But for sure the two halves of the engine are getting bad commands causing these weird issues. Everyone is concentrating on the wheels because it is most obvious, but in actuality other things don't work when this happens (sounds are not right, on mine the Bell wouldn't function, etc.)
It would be a great gesture for Lionel to just tell us what the issue is they have discovered and the steps for the resolution for it, so everyone can get it resolved and get the real facts.
I have a TalktoUs sent and am waiting for a response.
Kudos to you to do some troubleshooting and testing. It certainly helps to have a grasp of what is going on. It was nice running into you Sean!
@Sean's Train Depot posted:Yes, keep in mind, these are all Guesses as to the actual cause of the issue with the wheels out of sync or dragging.
But on mine I can make the issue happen with the 4D addressing and disappear with 2 digits (position of the switch) after clearing Base of those engine ID's. With 2 digit I have run it for over an hour and no issues.
But we have like 3 new design things happening simultaneously (Base 3/Cab3 App), Generation 2 - 4 Digit Addressing and an engine with essentially 2 radios.
It is very hard to tell where the issue actually is and only Lionel knows exactly where it lies.
But for sure the two halves of the engine are getting bad commands causing these weird issues. Everyone is concentrating on the wheels because it is most obvious, but in actuality other things don't work when this happens (sounds are not right, on mine the Bell wouldn't function, etc.)
It would be a great gesture for Lionel to just tell us what the issue is they have discovered and the steps for the resolution for it, so everyone can get it resolved and get the real facts.
I have a TalktoUs sent and am waiting for a response.
Thanks Sean. Can I ask if you hear anything from Lionel, please share. I tagged @Dave Olson but not certain he will respond. Thanks.
Well, I had this issue. I thought it corrected. The Triplex made it two laps around the layout stopped, with a loud buzzing from the tender, blew the transformer breaker. Would blow the breaker every time I tried to apply power. I called Lionel, and it is on its way back for repairs. Waited a year for it. Oh well. I guess it happens.
@Alabama Joe posted:Thanks Sean. Can I ask if you hear anything from Lionel, please share. I tagged @Dave Olson but not certain he will respond. Thanks.
I did get a response back, but they misunderstood my question (I think it was one of the secretary's). I explained the issue and she responded back saying that 4 Digit addressing was not available yet in Trains. I think she meant building a lash up/train. Not sure where she got that from, but I replied clarifying my issue. Stay Tuned, lol.
Looking into this.
@Dave Olson posted:Looking into this.
Thank you Dave
I ran my Halloween version for maybe 20 minutes using the 2 digit number system and the Legacy 990 remote - no issues to date, however, i have the Base3 on order so watching Sean’s video, I may just send it back for them to “fix.”
@PSU1980 posted:I ran my Halloween version for maybe 20 minutes using the 2 digit number system and the Legacy 990 remote - no issues to date, however, i have the Base3 on order so watching Sean’s video, I may just send it back for them to “fix.”
As long as you run 2 digit addressing it runs great, with the 990 or the Base 3 and Cab3 app.
4 digit is in question
@Dave Olson posted:Looking into this.
Any updates Dave?
I know a lot of us are trying to figure out what to do. I noticed the Fuel Level also never drops below 1/4 when "in motion wheel slip" is supposed to happen according to the manual. Steve @BigBoyTrains can replicate the tender wheels getting slower and slower the longer it is run and finally they stop all together.
Here is his video if interested.
Thanks!
@Sean's Train Depot posted:Any updates Dave?
I know a lot of us are trying to figure out what to do. I noticed the Fuel Level also never drops below 1/4 when "in motion wheel slip" is supposed to happen according to the manual. Steve @BigBoyTrains can replicate the tender wheels getting slower and slower the longer it is run and finally they stop all together.
Wow that is a really weird bug.
I wonder if when the switch is set for 4 digit addressing there is a rounding error difference when counting the tach wheel slots.
why would a customer devote their time or consult others in trying to solve issues with a model that cost around 2.5 thousand dollars? just return it for repair or ask for a refund.
@David Eisinger it's rewarding to solve problems in areas that interest you.
Since I don't have the BASE3, I exercised mine with standard TMCC addressing. I don't see any issues, so this must be a 4-digit address or perhaps a BASE3 issue.
Still looking into it but it's looking like it'll be solvable with Cab3 changes. Will know more end of next week.
@Dave Olson posted:Still looking into it but it's looking like it'll be solvable with Cab3 changes. Will know more end of next week.
So at this point if you just use a CAB2, or anything but the CAB3 app to run it you will not run into any problems? It's not a defect of the hardware or firmware of the locomotive then.
@Dave 69 GTEL posted:So at this point if you just use a CAB2, or anything but the CAB3 app to run it you will not run into any problems? It's not a defect of the hardware or firmware of the locomotive then.
I suppose it could be an issue with the code for 4-digit TMCC addresses in the locomotive, but Dave should certainly know and he's pointing at the CAB3 app it looks like. I know I couldn't get it to do the odd stuff with my Legacy system.
@Dave Olson posted:Still looking into it but it's looking like it'll be solvable with Cab3 changes. Will know more end of next week.
Great news @Dave Olson, Thanks for the update.
@Dave Olson posted:Still looking into it but it's looking like it'll be solvable with Cab3 changes. Will know more end of next week.
Thanks Dave!
@gunrunnerjohn posted:I suppose it could be an issue with the code for 4-digit TMCC addresses in the locomotive, but Dave should certainly know and he's pointing at the CAB3 app it looks like. I know I couldn't get it to do the odd stuff with my Legacy system.
I just ran an hour and a half test putting my old 990 base back and zero issues.
Could be a combination of all these new technologies at once. Hope it is just an app update.
@Sean's Train Depot posted:I just ran an hour and a half test putting my old 990 base back and zero issues.
Could be a combination of all these new technologies at once. Hope it is just an app update.
Yep, my only remaining issue is a front class light is out, if I can't get the harness from Lionel, I'll have to send it back to them.
@Sean's Train Depot posted:
I just ran an hour and a half test putting my old 990 base back and zero issues.
Could be a combination of all these new technologies at once. Hope it is just an app update.
How could this be the base 3 was held up and late so it be right????
So this is a CAB 3 issue and not the train itself?
@sahan posted:So this is a CAB 3 issue and not the train itself?
We’re waiting to hear back from @Dave Olson but based on his early analysis, he is thinking ‘YES’.
Update.
We have made changes to the APP this week that have made a dramatic improvement to the performance of the TriPlex in 4-Digit operation. While there are still a number of known bugs in this mode, we do want to get an APP update out soon so that people can at least enjoy their locos operating correctly. We will likely have the update out early next week.
While the APP will fix many of the issues I've seen posted, it will not fix all. For example, the video of a TriPlex that was showing the tender slowing down with no speed commands being sent... that to me is clearly an issue with the board in the tender, so that would need to come in for Service.
Those seeing the loco/tender out of sync and going in opposing directions - that's where the APP comes in.
I appreciate everyone's patience with us on this. The APP will continue to improve as time goes on; just have to keep plugging away.
@Dave Olson posted:Update.
We have made changes to the APP this week that have made a dramatic improvement to the performance of the TriPlex in 4-Digit operation. While there are still a number of known bugs in this mode, we do want to get an APP update out soon so that people can at least enjoy their locos operating correctly. We will likely have the update out early next week.
While the APP will fix many of the issues I've seen posted, it will not fix all. For example, the video of a TriPlex that was showing the tender slowing down with no speed commands being sent... that to me is clearly an issue with the board in the tender, so that would need to come in for Service.
Those seeing the loco/tender out of sync and going in opposing directions - that's where the APP comes in.
I appreciate everyone's patience with us on this. The APP will continue to improve as time goes on; just have to keep plugging away.
Thanks @Dave Olson for the update and quick response. Thank you from all of us.
@Dave Olson posted:Update.
We have made changes to the APP this week that have made a dramatic improvement to the performance of the TriPlex in 4-Digit operation. While there are still a number of known bugs in this mode, we do want to get an APP update out soon so that people can at least enjoy their locos operating correctly. We will likely have the update out early next week.
While the APP will fix many of the issues I've seen posted, it will not fix all. For example, the video of a TriPlex that was showing the tender slowing down with no speed commands being sent... that to me is clearly an issue with the board in the tender, so that would need to come in for Service.
Those seeing the loco/tender out of sync and going in opposing directions - that's where the APP comes in.
I appreciate everyone's patience with us on this. The APP will continue to improve as time goes on; just have to keep plugging away.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Just an update. I updated both the firmware and Cab3 app to the latest revisions. This was supposed to have some fixes for the Triplex issue in 4 Digit mode.
Unfortunately, it did not solve the issue. As a matter of fact, it made it worse. I never had the issue of the Engine & Tender wheels running opposite directions, but now I do.
Doing some troubleshooting I noticed it seems if you do a command a second time, then the other half of engine starts responding correctly.
Example - I started the engine up, but only tender sounds came on, engine was dead, no sounds, lights. But if I hit the whistle, engine comes alive.
Then I hit the Roll speed step one. Tender wheels move but engine wheels do not. Hitting the Roll speed step again and engine wheels start moving. Seems the engine and tender just are not in sync and receiving same command at the same time.
Of course, running in 2-Digit (NON-4-Digit) mode everything works fine.
Sent another e-mail off to Lionel.
@Sean's Train Depot posted:Sent another e-mail off to Lionel.
Thanks Sean for be proactive. In the end it will it will get sorted out.
Since the update of the Base 3 to V1.26, I'm not absolutely sure of the version number, I was pleased to be able to upload my entire engine roster from my Base 2 to my Windows 10 PC and then with the use the B3SU to download it to the Base 3. The seamless WIFI means that I can access and update the Base 3 with it turned on upstairs on my layout from my PC downstairs, very convenient. My Triplex runs perfectly using a CAB 2 remote with full access to all features. I'm getting the wheel slip down, which has been a little tricky. From a standing stop slide the Train Brake to full, set the Momentum to medium, set the velocity to linited and release the Train Brake. That seems to work almost every time. The wheels always syncronize. I think if an operator has a CAB 2, and isn't running bluetooth or RF then the CAB 3 app isn't worth bothering with. I hope someday they fix it but right now it seems complicated and unreliable.
@Sean's Train Depot posted:Just an update. I updated both the firmware and Cab3 app to the latest revisions. This was supposed to have some fixes for the Triplex issue in 4 Digit mode.
Unfortunately, it did not solve the issue. As a matter of fact, it made it worse. I never had the issue of the Engine & Tender wheels running opposite directions, but now I do.
Doing some troubleshooting I noticed it seems if you do a command a second time, then the other half of engine starts responding correctly.
Example - I started the engine up, but only tender sounds came on, engine was dead, no sounds, lights. But if I hit the whistle, engine comes alive.
Then I hit the Roll speed step one. Tender wheels move but engine wheels do not. Hitting the Roll speed step again and engine wheels start moving. Seems the engine and tender just are not in sync and receiving same command at the same time.
Of course, running in 2-Digit (NON-4-Digit) mode everything works fine.
Sent another e-mail off to Lionel.
It sounds like yours will need to come in.
There are still plenty of known bugs with the APP, but the engine/tender getting out of sync was fixed. So yours likely has a hardware issue.
As a Triplex owner and with my layout out of commission for a while yet, I've been following the Triplex reviews and have to say these bugs and issues are getting ridiculous. I very much hope that VisionLine items at least have an extended 2-year warranty.
From my experience over the years, I have gone from "can't wait to run my new train" to an apprehensive "what's going to go wrong now." Packing these things up and taking them to the shipping center is no easy task, regardless that Lionel now pays shipping both ways (used to be only for veterans which I very much appreciated).
Honestly, if I didn't get pleasure out of building and working on my layout, I would've given up O-gauge by now. I suppose the "breakpoint" of "when will the new 'bells and whistles' & [command apps]" varies among all of us, where some have already dropped out of the hobby, some are close, and some endeavor on.
@Paul Kallus posted:I very much hope that VisionLine items at least have an extended 2-year warranty.
It's my understanding that Legacy and below are 1 year and Visionline is 5 years.
@Dave Olson posted:It sounds like yours will need to come in.
There are still plenty of known bugs with the APP, but the engine/tender getting out of sync was fixed. So yours likely has a hardware issue.
Dave? Sean needs to send in his engine to Lionel for repair, even if it works great with 2 digit addressing?
