Want Wireless Throttles for Your layout-Don’t Skip This Video (369)

Adding a wifi interface to your layout can greatly increase your operating flexibility. You and your friends will be able to use their iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, as well as wifi capable throttles such as the TCS UWT-50 and UWT-100. And the WFD30/31 interfaces from WifiTrax make it so much easier to add a dedicated wifi interface for NCE DCC systems such as the PowerCab and Power Pro. In this video I 'll show you how quick and easy it can be to connect the WFD30 to your NCE system and then use an iPhone or UWT-100 to control locomotives on your layout.

[@BudmanPackfan]

Ordering now! Thanks so much, Larry!

[@jeffharbin8424]

Larry this another outstanding video on new electronics for DCC systems. You never disappoint when it comes to instructional videos ! Never! I bought one of these WyFy units for my NCE DCC layouts. Following your video only(never used manual), I was able to get this up and running in minutes!!! Couldn’t believe it ! Keep up the outstanding work you do sir, can’t wait for your next video !

[@TheDCCGuy]

The best part is it really is that simple.

[@peterainsworth8466]

I've been dropping little hints in comments on numerous railway channels for years about how great and easy to use these are. I've had mine for nearly four years. It's a great Australian product.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Glad to hear you’ve been enjoying yours! They are great little devices.

[@michaelmassetti2575]

Nce is now going to be my number one system to use. I am still in design mode, but i really appricate all your videos thanks.m.m.

[@isaiahfurrow7414]

i still love my NCE stuff.... if the current Digitrax stuff had been out when I got it I may have considered it more, and the TCS stuff looks really nice, but their command station is spendy... I definitely think that WifiTrax is one of my next DCC purchases, and I would imagine that wifi would be a better choice for NCE as well as Digitrax vs the radio setups... I also don't mind a tethered throttle... How big is your planned setup?

[@BudmanPackfan]

I'm very satisfied with my NCE DCC system.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Larry I have been using the WifiTrax 31 version for over 3 years , made in Australia. Excellent device, cool video

[@NitroStarGT]

Great to hear! I can hardly wait to get mine hooked up!

[@RickBlechta]

Thanks. I think I may need this WiFi station and that TCS throttle. Useful stuff!

[@KN-yc8wu]

greeting from England. Great video as always Larry. I have installed three of these on the club's layouts. Having the ability to change the text on the function buttons, and also change between push on - push off, or momentary operation of the function buttons when running sound fitted locos is a big advantage particularly at exhibitions.

[@Nealos101]

Amazing thanks for walking us through that Larry. Was pleased to see at least one vendor here in the UK selling them too. I may buy one as I have found myself lending my NCE system to my local club to run their US layout; but with only one handset. It's therefore a choice of forking out around $300 for an extra handset or just under $100 to open up the ability of 3 handsets on phones. I think the latter will certainly win in the short term. Good to see you still in good spirits and hopefully general health following the decision to downsize.

[@johnbanicki7232]

Love my NCE system and this Wifi interface is a great addition. Thanks for sharing.

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Thanks Larry im using it fir at least 4 years with no probem very easy to used

[@gregorykeliher542]

Very informative video Larry,😂

[@ChuckRavert]

I have the model 31 and it works perfectly.😊

[@Kennedywh]

Good show, Larry. How about a show on various wifi throttles. Although I'm usually using an iphone and WiThrottle, I did try out an Android device with Engine Driver. Picking up on a hint from elsewhere on the net I found that an audio volume knob plugged into the Android device gave me a knob for speed control much more affable than finger on touch screen. Engine Driver seems to have much more behind the usual throtlle functions and I would love to see you explore those capabilities.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Trouble is I had to depend on a friend using his Android phone the one time I tried Engine Driver and really have no way to test it out. Some of the wifi throttles actually are just Android devices and use Engine Driver whereas others are more system specific and since I don’t have a lot of contacts with the European companies I don’t expect to get many (any) freebies.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

Larry great video showing how to use the I phone throttle control

[@johnkeitley9168]

Thanks very much for this video Larry. I have been considering getting one of these devices for a while but was a little unsure of how complex they would be to use. I will certainly get one now.

[@kmarius1]

Awesome! Your videos are so informative and love waiting for them and watching. I'm so getting one of these interfaces.

[@NitroStarGT]

Great video Larry! I ordered a TCS UWT-100 and WifiTrax combo from TCS before this video came out. Its supposed to be here Tuesday. I watched several of your vids of the throttles and researched the WiFiTrax. I chose the model 31 so I could replace my power cab panel and have it for a portable programming track (just plug my cab up to it). I did not want to buy a $50 usb device and then have a pc hooked to track all the time with JMRI. I can hardly wait to start building my roster so i can easily read which loco I am choosing.

[@ronduz1281]

👍👍👍👍Great video Larry

[@MusiGigs]

This is brilliant

[@Cee_Eff]

I have 2 on order. One for my small home layout and one for my portable switching layout. Looking forward to the follow-up's I could never get NCE Power Cab to interface with JMRI properly. With this I don't have to use my laptop.

[@rogerlockwood2363]

I bought one of these, but couldn't get it to connect until I had to change the WiFi channel. All my neighbours WiFi was swamping the signal. Now it is working fine on both the throttle and a android phone.

[@NitroStarGT]

TCS has them separately and has bundles available with their different throttles. I will be using the UWT-100 and will use a tablet app to use dual throttles to control 2 locos to assist in adjusting CV's for consisting 😬

[@derekloudon8731]

Very interesting, thank you!

[@marksachs1308]

Hi Larry, Have always enjoyed your videos and guidance for my layout. I have the NCE wireless system (PH-PRO-R) with two additional PB5 boosters, and two wireless stations (RB02 & RPT1), I have a cab bus UTP panel setup which I primarily use for my wired cab to control my program track. With that extra cab port can I use the WFD30 and will the WiFi work on the other sections controlled by the PB5? Thanks again, Mark

[@TheDCCGuy]

If your wired throttles work then the WFD-30 should also. You just connect it to your cab bus one way or another, just be sure to use one of the NCE throttle cables that have the 4 pins.

[@marksachs1308]

@@TheDCCGuy Thanks again Larry. Looking forward to Wi-Fi to my layout. Take Care!

[@DudeNuzzo]

NCE? Sure, ok Larry. But I need to make a shout out to that NCC-1701 sighting! 😃🚀

[@TheDCCGuy]

I'm glad I could add some Star Trek to your life!

[@DudeNuzzo]

😉

[@rorymackintosh4196]

I hope you don't mind that this question is not connected to the subject of ths video. I am going to convert my model Railroaads to DCC using the NCE system. Should I keep the blocks I fave in the railroad?

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have known folks who convert by simply throwing all their block switches to the same power supply and the swapping 8n the DCC system. This could be problematic if you used common wire/rail wiring or your wires and feeders are too small to handle the load.

[@rorymackintosh4196]

Hi again: I used one bus for the nuetral line and brought the power to each block from a switch on my control panel. I'm thinking I coud replace the switches from single pole single throw to single pole double through. Do you think that would that work?

[@TheDCCGuy]

Ok, that sounds like common wire/rail wiring to me and requires optoisolated command stations/boosters. Some makers use optoisolation by default but Digitrax makes both kinds. Here is a link with an explanation of the issue wiringfordcc.com/commons3.htm and here are a lot of links on the Digitrax website www.digitrax.com/tsd/search/?q=common%20rail

[@dj_efk]

This looks brilliant! Just the thing for my two young sons and daughter to get involved. What’s the difference between the 30 and 31 again?

[@TheDCCGuy]

Watch the video, I spelled it out.

[@dj_efk]

@@TheDCCGuyah yes - apologies. I will order my 31 on the strength of this video / recommendation

[@kennethmaney914]

Just a hello ,My friends name is bulleid and there family pronounce it as BLYDE..hope that helps.

[@TheDCCGuy]

Yes British pronunciations can be interesting. I love that Beauchamp, which is an old Norman/French name, is pronounced as if spelled Beachham. And of course there is Leicester which over here is mispronounced “Lichester” but in the UK is “Lester”, and the list is extensive. Matter of fact there is a KZbin video that looks at the pronunciation of British place names, very interesting.

[@willparsons32]

A bit off the topic but alot to do with the NCE THROTTLE thumb wheel. I just replaced mine on my power cab pro and as such, noticed that the dial seems to be a bit stiff compared to the one that was initially installed. I checked the clearance of the hole it sits in and there's no contact with the edge of the face plate of the throttle itself. Is this common for the new thumb wheel to be stiff? Thanks in advance!

[@TheDCCGuy]

I have never had to replace one so can’t say, I would suggest reaching out to the manufacturer for help.

[@waynekeeton8327]

Great video Larry You can hook the wifitrax into the Aegis? How? Thanks in advance

[@TheDCCGuy]

As I showed in the video, you just connect it to the cab bus.

[@robertteagle9281]

Amazing device Larry. Do you Know if you can plug this into a DCC Concepts Cobalt Alpha Box instead of the NCE PowerCab Hand controller.

[@TheDCCGuy]

First, it HAS to have the actual PowerCab to work. For the rest of the question I’ll defer to the tech support guys in Settle.

[@motorman1989]

How can you connect it up to your home Wi-Fi the WD-30

[@TheDCCGuy]

Advanced function, wait for it!

[@michaeltyl7697]

What happens if a call comes in on the phone while you are using a throttle app?

[@TheDCCGuy]

No idea, never has happened. I’ll have to get my wife to call me.

[@Supersparky413]

Simple….decline the call! Trains come first! 😂

[@jrisner1951]

How does this compare to Digitrax WiFi module that I currently use?

[@TheDCCGuy]

Watch the video, I spelled it out.

[@kraigdevries9639]

Does this work with NCE SB5?

[@TheDCCGuy]

What did I say in the video?

[@billjenkins9422]

Does this work with Pro Cab?

[@mountainman0]

yesit will. as it just plugs into your system like any other throttle

[@billjenkins9422]

@@mountainman0 and does it interfere with your other plug in throttles if using them at the same time?

[@TheDCCGuy]

No it should not interfere.

[@walshrd]

Why would I prefer a Wifi interface over a radio interface (as I have now)? What's the advantage? To "upgrade" to WifiTrax and the TCS UWT-100 throttle, it will cost you over $400 USD. Is it worth it to put aside your NCE throttles and NCE radio?

[@TheDCCGuy]

Some may prefer the TCS throttle, others may want to offer their friends the ability to use their personal throttles or phones. It also increase the number of throttles that can be used. I haven’t checked but I suspect it is cheaper than buying a radio equipped Procab and radio receiver from NCE. Also the TCS throttles can be used on multiple layouts with a wifi interface.

[@walshrd]

@@TheDCCGuy I think the Wifi approach is good for newbies. Ive had NCE equipment for decades. It all works too including the radio cab setup. The only thing to wonder about in my case is the reliability of Wifi communications. NCE radio will drop or corrupt transmissions depending on the layout room geometry and room obstacles...including the locations of humans and metal objects. Sometimes repeaters are needed. (I have one.) I suspect such is not the case with Wifi communications. Is it more reliable than radio? I love the notion of no antennas to hide.

[@Ozarktrains]

I was never able to get either model to work. The Wi-Fi kept cutting out. The store I got it from even tried them and they worked fine. The only thing I can figure out is I was using the Barinna LED lights and they were interfering with them. I would be curious to see if anyone else has had this issue.

[@dundasjunctionmodelr.r-jam8267]

I have been using the wifi trax 31 for over 3 years no issues, plug and play

[@TheDCCGuy]

Try changing the wifi channel and see if that helps. I’ll try to go over potential issues in the followup video.

[@NEC_Amtrak]

It's a shame that control systems from here are still behind the times when compared to the control systems from Europe. ESU, Roco, LoDi, etc, are much more modern.

[@southernprojectsyt6340]

I hope that cost under 10$ usd. didn't even come with it's own protective shell.... good video though.

[@TheDCCGuy]

I plan to just screw it to a wooden frame member under the layout just like I did with the usb interface but any throw away plastic box or blister pack will do too.

[@southernprojectsyt6340]

@@TheDCCGuy internals to a pc tower makes sense when no guard. an item for a layout makes zero sense having no guard.

[@NitroStarGT]

​@southernprojectsyt6340 My powercab panel had no guard. Screwed it to the facia. I'm replacing my panel with the model 31 and plugging it in. I will still have to plug the power cab into the WiFiTrax like the NCE panel. I apparently do not need a booster. This was the easiest, cheapest and, smallest optionn when starting from a basic powercab system that I have researched

[@stephenlineman]

confusing as hell letter soup what is an old guy to do

[@TheDCCGuy]

Hey, I’m 73 and I get it!