WTIU Help

If the engine is a steamer. Make sure the drawbar or tether are fully seated.

Mark,

The 2 things that come to mind here are:  If it's a steamer, be sure your wireless tether is seated tight.  Whenever I have an issue, I disconnect and reconnect.  There is typically a slight 'click' when it seats properly.  Second, if your engine has a DCC/DCS switch, exercise it meaning move it to DCC and back to DCS.  I've had engines that appear to be set to DCS but the connection isn't quite right and moving the switch seems to help.
Beyond that it would help to know what engine you are having an issue with, model number is best.

Good Luck,
Tony

Hey

Thanks for trying to help!

The engine is a RailKing PS3 30-20905-1 SD-9. 

Mark

Never add or remove engine on track while power applied.  Also do not reseat drawbar until power turned off and engine shuts down.

When you say features working does that mean you can blow horn/whistle, activate bell?  More important can you turn smoke on and off, or engine light features.  If so and only motion issue that does not seem to be a drawbar for steam.  But if no control of steam engine features then drawbar is a suspect.  G

Mark,

Just to be clear, when you say the engine will start up, you mean when you tap "Start Up" in the app, not by itself, correct?  It is starts itself, that is a watchdog signal issue, which would be a different troubleshooting path.  With the engine started, will the directional lighting change when you go from forward to reverse? 

Next steps I would try are:
1: A conventional reset.  That can be a bit tricky as it requires a sequence of commands from a conventional power source.  I believe the procedure is covered in the owners manual or a search here should do it.
2:  If you have the ability, try to run it conventionally.  You can't do that on a track that has DCS connected.  You can do this with the WTIU connected but you need to go into the advanced setup and turn DCS signaling off.  And of course, you either need a variable power source or setup and use one of the WTIU's variable channels.

Tony

Hey,

Let me add a bit more information.

I tried another two engines. These are PS2 diesels.   I basically get the same results.

The WTIU recognizes the engines, all DCS functions appear to work (sounds, lights smoke units, couplers). When I increase the throttle, they will inch forward, then I hear a click and the engine stops and goes silent.  If I wait a few seconds, I can hit start-up, the engines comes to life.   When I apply the throttle, “click” and all silent.
The click comes from the engine not the WTIU.  

The PS3 engine does not “click” but appears to work normally, just will not move.

Thoughts please?

Thanks for your help.

3 out of 3. I think you could rule out being Engine related.  Do you retry the different engines all from the same area as far as trackage ?  There’s really not much of load on anything until the motors need some amperage to get moving. I’d maybe look at your track connections. Just curious as to how many feeders are involved and how new the track is. I’ve seen what your describing from dirty trackage to the wheels or roller being dirty. But 3 engines all exhibiting the same symptom. I’d look to the track.

Mark,

Could the PS 3 engine be locked into neutral?

Ed

Sounds like poor AC power to the engines or low voltage.  G

Hello,

I have one set of feeder wires for a loop of track about 30 feet long. I originally said 15 but, sorry for the error. The track is Lionel tubular 0 scale.   The voltage reads 4.7 to 5 volts (MTH App).   I'm in the process of checking and cleaning the track.  I’m an old postwar guy at heart and yes, this is an older postwar inspired track plan I’m trying to convert.  

Thoughts?

Thanks for your help!

Mark