WTIU not passing DCS signals on variable channel 1

  Looking  at the screen in the picture. It looks like you have it on. You can turn the signal on or off on any channel. I just have the older TIU’s and only run command. There is a setting labeled AON that puts the signal on all 4 channels.

You mention this is all new to you. So I’m guessing the DCS is new to your layout not just the WIFI.  Just because the DCS signal is on. Doesn’t mean it’s all good. Usually even with a weak signal. Engines tend to come up silent.  Not sure what your layout looks like. But if your trackage is all connected and the TIU Channels are feeding blocks. Run an engine from another part of the layout and have it in track signal mode. A number will come up on your screen. Do what you have to throwing turnout switches and run the engine into the troubled block and see what you get for a number.

Thanks much for your replies Dave.  Yes new to DCS.  I have a small oval to try functions of DCS/WTIU and have signal strength of 10 all of the way around the oval.  But to your idea, I was able to recreate the problem on a single 10 inch piece of straight track.  I'm as sure as I can be that the problem is not a weak signal.  As best I can tell while setting the "Set Variable Voltage Channel  to Fixed" does indeed cause input voltage to variable channel 1 to pass directly through to the output of variable channel 1, it does not cause the DCS signal to pass through variable channel 1.  I'd like to get confirmation so as to not waste MTH's time prior to reporting a problem to MTH.

Make sure the engine itself is set to DCS mode and not DCC (if it is PS3). I've seen times where it appears there is a DCS issue and it's the engine setting.

Can you try doing the same with Variable 2 and see if you get the same results.

Thanks Andrew.  The engines operate in DCS command mode perfectly if I supply power to the track from the fixed outputs of the WTIU.  So DCC mode is not the problem.

Dave, I tried your idea of variable channel 2.  Got the same results.  I am using an Android tablet.  I was also able to recreate the problem with my iPhone running the latest IOS.  I appreciate the ideas.  My use case is one I learned on this forum.  I want to normally running DCS command mode engines and occasionally an old postwar engine.  Both on the same WTIU output by switching between fixed and variable modes on the same WTIU variable output like some on this forum are doing with the older TIUs.  I'm hoping that another WTIU owner can try this to confirm if this works on their WTIU or not.

Also, I switched the WTIU and my Android tablet and iPhone from my home network to the MTH network.  Same results.

Have you tried toggling the DCS Signaling option?

Try it with it set to off too. Might just be a software bug.

Another option, try it in variable mode, but turn up the track voltage. This may be useful to MTH to help fix a software bug if that is the cause.

Thanks rplst8.  Yes I did indeed try turning off the DCS signaling option.  I tried this earlier today because I noticed that the "Marker lights" selection in the DCS app that turns on and off the engine marker lights has the problem that you suggest...you have to turn off the marker lights in the app to turn on the marker lights on the engine :-)  Not a big deal but the DCS signaling option in the app does not have this same software bug.  I wish it was that easy.  I appreciate the thought.

Double check your wiring and connections. I had problems with var 1 only to realize I mixed up the red and black connections going to the track. It’s working now and have yet to find a bug.

Thanks for the reply Steve.  So are you running var 1 in "fixed" mode?  And are you using a WTIU (i.e. not TIU)?

Yes it's the new WTIU. I've run DCS engines on the Var 1 channel in Fixed mode and it works fine. I also put on a conventional engine, var 1 still set at fixed, and used the Track option to run the conventional engine. I set max volts at 18 and throttled up and down with the slider.

Is fixed 1 powered? The WTIU needs it to be powered unless you are using AUX power input 

Steve, great to hear that works on a new WTIU!  I'm not sure what I must be doing wrong.  I'll keep fiddling with it.  Gerald, with the new WTIU you can't power the WTIU from fixed 1 like the TIU.  You must use AUX power input to power the WTIU.  Appreciate your replies.

With Steve's confirmation that the new WTIU can do what I'm trying, I assumed that I must be doing something wrong and doubled checked all of my work.  I still could not get it working.  So out of desperation I did a factory reset on the WTIU and now it works fine!  Thanks much for the responses!  Steve I really appreciate another WTIU owner confirming that it works.

@rtb posted:

So out of desperation I did a factory reset on the WTIU and now it works fine!  Thanks much for the responses! 

Sweet.

The ole Factory Reset. The modern day version of cntl-alt-del. 🤣