WTIU Firmware update

Well documented explanation of the firmware update process. You made this very clear and I'm sure this will help others.

I picked up my WTIU at one of Mike's presentations. His son-in-law updated the firmware version for me and it's the same as what you updated to.

Is this firmware update for Rev L. TIUs as well?

@BradFish1 posted:

Is this firmware update for Rev L. TIUs as well?

No, this only applies to the new WTIU.

Where do I find the advanced options menu to update wtiu!

@Wvm posted:

Where do I find the advanced options menu to update wtiu!

Open the App and push "Run Trains".

At the bottom right of the screen is a "MORE" option.  Push it and it brings up a list with the top being "Advanced Features".  Push that and it brings up a list with "System Settings", select it.  There is another option after that to Update Firmware.

Thanks Martye.  I got firmware update done.  I have a problem maybe you or some other member could comment on.  I have trouble getting two fixed channels to boot up at same time. Most of time the TIU seems to be trying to start the two loops  but it seems to apply power but not DCS signal. As a result engines startup in conventional mode. TIU then retries and in process guickly drops power and then reapplies which engine sees as signal to go foward resulting in a runaway engine at 20 volts

if I start with only one fixed channel it works fine and then I'm able to turn on the other channel fine

dcs signal a 10 every where on layout.  Good voltage all the way around.  Doesn't matter which loop is on which channel or which power supply is on which channel.
I am using an Mth 100 watt and a Lionel 180 watt (newer model)

Power up WTIU

Wait for WTIU to boot up ( mine takes almost 2 minutes )

Then apply power to transformer for track power to WTIU Input.

If you apply track power before boot up completes  there will be no Watchdog Signal and the trains will start up in conventional, not DCS.

The WTIU is different from the old TIU , you have to wait.

From the MTH Instructions:             PDF FILE ATTACHED

3. Plug the WTIU into an AC wall outlet.

4. Wait 2 minutes for the WTIU to initialize.

When ready, the PWR, WI-FI, and TRACK LEDS (4) will be on.

The track LEDS will be green.

5. Apply track power through the WTIU. The track LED will change from green to purple.

Thanks Jim.   Great news nothing wrong. I have been using an Explorer for three years waiting for new TIU. I used to just turn it on and it did everything    Wonder why they designed WTIU this way.  

I just did the WTIU Firmware update, which was a little confusing, since you had to download the upgrade from the internet then you have to disconnect from your Home Wifi to connect directly to the WTIU WiFi.  After i finally figured it out, I noticed the Firmware wiped out my Home ESSID and I had to restablish the Home Network connection back to the WTIU.  This was a pain because i had to keep getting on my hands and knees under the Chistmas Tree between all of the presents and flip the hard to flip MTH/Home switch.  Could they have made that switch any smaller!

Also, what exactly did the WTIU Firmware update?

Jim. Reaching out to you again. I had everything working fine as long as I was careful about what engines were on which sidings etc.   but then I had what I believed wan an Mth app problem ( engines running away even when I looked at app with TIU and tracks off.     I bit the bullet and deleted and reloaded app on my iPhone   I am able in app to connect to wtiu. When I turn on tracks the output channel light turn purple and engines remain silent so they must be getting watch dog. Passenger cars are lit.     Problem is when I try to hit reset or add an engine to empty list I get "command failed " error.     Any suggestions?   So frustrating two days before grandchildren showing up for School Xmas

Jim.   If you haven't already tried to solve my issue.   I was able to get everything working using MTH wifi instead of home.  Funny thing is on home network my app saidWTIU found  proceed to run trains.
now I have to figure out why home wifi not working

Regarding the new WTIU: The available firmware update will NOT operate any daisy chained AIUs beyond the first AIU as of 1/6/2025. All accessories and turnouts in AIU 2,3,4,etc. will be recognized but are inoperable after changing to the correct origin TIU address. Phone contact with MTH last week admitted that this is known and can be remedied by another update “…in 48 hrs”. Resetting the unit will NOT remedy the issue. Sadly, I haven’t seen it yet after a week, and am frustrated since this is to replace my original 20 year old TIU with a fried Variable 1 circuit (fuse is OK, etc.) that MTH will not address. Faith is not lost, but somewhat tarnished, and I sadly await the solution.

@Ron Z. posted:

Sadly, I haven’t seen it yet after a week, and am frustrated since this is to replace my original 20 year old TIU with a fried Variable 1 circuit (fuse is OK, etc.) that MTH will not address. Faith is not lost, but somewhat tarnished, and I sadly await the solution.

Check with @GGG here, he may be able to revive your old TIU so you can use all the channels again.

Have the new WTIU. was getting buzzing on the two variable channels set to fixed. Followed the instuctions inluded and did firmware update through LuCI as was stated. Waited five minutes for update past the finish. Now doesn't work. Power light comes on. Track lights flash white only. Blue wifi light and white WPS light do not come on. Purchased from vendor at the Great Midwest Train Show Wheaton Illinois. Any suggestions, please? Or do I have a very expensive paperweight?

This might be a reach since I am FAR from being a techie.  I agree with above comment about reseating the tether.  I have a PS3 engine (yes, it has a draw bar and not a tether) but it will do the same thing that yours did if the connection becomes even the slightest bit undone. 

Don't know anything about your engine but trying to compare - for mine the 'command center' and speaker are in the tender.  So when the drawbar becomes loosened while running, the engine stops but sounds continue.

OK, I'm off my very unqualified soap box.

- walt

Has anyone downloaded sound files to there engines using the new WTIU?

Billy C

@Trainchief posted:

Has anyone downloaded sound files to there engines using the new WTIU?

Billy C

No, because that feature has not yet been enabled in the app as promised, and further, since there is no serial port and I tried several known USB to serial adapters- no way to communicate to the WTIU using the consumer loader app.

So again no- another feature that was advertised- but nobody has seen function.

Thanks  Vernon!

How important is it to upgrade the WTIU out of the box firmware? It works fine on the bench and I am about to set it up on the layout. I live in the Mac world and not very techie. If it's really needed, what is the best (simplest) way to upgrade? What confuses me is when my smart devise is in MTH Wifi mode, I can't connect to the wifi to download the firmware. If I connect the WTIU to my router via ethernet connection would that simplify the process; If so, what are the steps? Can I avoid the LuCi process, which I do not fully understand? I am really tempted to set it up on the layout as is and begin enjoying running trains. I do not have an AIU and never intend to operate accessaries with the app and I do not operate any Lionel engines on the layout. Appreciate any suggestions and help! Thanks, Dave

Darlander.  Look at first post in this chain

I got to the page that shows the current version of the WTIU firmware;  It's version:  v1.02-0-gOee3b4c.   Then I found the page for the firmware download.   Nothing happens when I push the Download Firmware bar, I get no response.   So I reset my wifi setting to the web and, still no response when I push the Download bar.   I do not know how to get the new firmware!   Still seeking help at this point.   Specifically, what does:  Download the firmware update from the server mean?   What do I need to do to get a the download to response?   I need a little more direction.  Thanks!   Dave

Mission accomplished!   I updated the firmware however I would have difficulty explain to others how I did it.  It did require the use of my iPhone.   I loaded the update on my phone and transferred it to the WTIU.   I think my earlier problem maybe related to the fact that I was trying to do it with my iPad which does not have cellular.   I did see a message on my phone:  Can't connect to WIFI do you want to continue using cellular.   I chose cellular and it did take the 4 minutes to update.  Anyway, my WTIU firmware has been updated but don't ask me to explain how I did it!   I'm a happy camper and thanks for the directions in this post!   As a non techie, I feel that there were a few steps or suggestions missing which were probably more intuitive to others.    

Cheers, Dave

I had to put my phone in AirPlane mode w/WiFi on to be able to update the firmware with my phone.  Samsung S21.

Jim