I have been using the YD6940 3 to 2 wire adapter to power my Tortoise switch machines with the YD8116.
They work well electrically, but I would like some advice on how to best mount the things rather than leave them to dangle in the air.
There are no mounting holes and so something either has to hold it down or use a hot glue gun on it if that's advisable.
I tried some double sided sticky 3M disks but they don't stick very well at all. All of them have come off the mounting board since the wires to the switch machines are relatively heavy wire.
?
Any ideas?
|
Hi
Thanks. ?This worked though I had to do it a few times, trying each of the other protocols before going back to Z21. ?
My DR5000 had
XpressNet LAN LocoNet over TCP/IP LBServer Dr.Command LocoNet over TCP/IP Binary Z21/WLANMaus
Since the “LocoNet over TCP/IP Binary” was the closest to your directions I did that first but it did not seem to work. ?I tried Dr.Command and then the LocoNet/Binary again without success. ?I then tried Xpressnet and back to Z21 using your instructions, rebooting between changes, and it started to work. ?Not sure what was up but I am in business again. The two Z21 apps I have work as does my test app I was working on a few years ago. ?So Thanks a million. ?I appreciate it. ?I have not tried my HW WLANmaus yet as they are packed away in a box somewhere.
I also got word that the YD9401 replacement module has shipped so hopefully soon I’ll have it upgraded. ?I eventually plan on getting the YD7010 and also command stations from other manufacturers (real Z21, the TCS LCC thing, the N American ESU thing, a Digitrax, and the NCE/WiThrottle bridge, as I want to test my eventual app I am working on with as many command stations as possible, trying to make it protocol agnostic as much as possible. ?Eventually I’d like to to become a complete control system with autonomous action etc but I am starting with a throttle and then expanding from there to work with controls, have a library of stuff, etc. ?While I will put it on the App Store and sell it, my goal is really for my own use and satisfaction. ?
Again, thanks for the help! Chad
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 11, 2025, at 07:32, karst.drenth via groups.io <karst.drenth@...> wrote:
Hi,
Resetting the RM04 module caused the evil.
Now the DR5000 and the module disagree about which protocol is to be used. ( because of the factory reset )
Fix:
1. Set the Protocol to TCP/IP Binary,
2. save,
3. reboot the DR5000 ( power off power on )
4. Set the Protocol to Z21
5. save
6. reboot the DR5000 ( power off power on )?
All should be well right now.
Greets,
Karst
|
Hi,
Resetting the RM04 module caused the evil.
Now the DR5000 and the module disagree about which protocol is to be used. ( because of the factory reset )
Fix:
1. Set the Protocol to TCP/IP Binary,
2. save,
3. reboot the DR5000 ( power off power on )
4. Set the Protocol to Z21
5. save
6. reboot the DR5000 ( power off power on )?
All should be well right now.
Greets,
Karst
|
Hi All
I’ve taken about 2 — 2 1/2 years off from model railroads as I was contracting and building a house for my family (and still had my day job).
I have a Digikeijs DR5000 command center. It does not have any YaMoRC upgrades (yet — on order). I had it working 2 years ago where I could use various Z21 compatible apps, WiThrottle with LNWI on the Loconet, and also 2 of the real WLANmaus wireless controllers. I had to take my multi track test track down were this was all working. I kept my “control board” all wired and just removed the track and the track feeders.
I was testing various bits so I had, in addition to the DR5000, a DR5003, as well as 2x DR5088RC modules with a bunch of blocks set up, using both the DR5000 on one DR5088RC and the booster on the other DR5088RC. It was all working, and I was also able to use some software for the iPhone that I was developing myself as well (a simple throttle as a learning device).
We’ve finally moved (though the house work is not finished, it was enough for the city to grant 6 months temporary occupancy :). ), and tonight I set up a simple single track loop. Since I had the various modules all still mounted and wired together on a single board, I set up two blocks on my loop, one on each DR5088RC.
I reset the network/WiFI module on the DR5000 to factory settings. I have the LAN port plugged into a switch on my home network. So it is set to gateway mode, and the LAN gets assigned an IP from my home network. The WiFi sets itself up as 192.168.16.254, with DHCP on using 192.168.16.100 through 192.168.16.200.
While I am normally Mac based, I bought a simple small PC and have the DR5000 config utility installed, and talking to the DR5000 over USB. I'm able to use the “DRIVE” feature in the DR5000 Utility on the PC to control a locomotive and it successfully traverses both blocks just fine so the wiring seems to be OK.
I have 2 different Z21 compatible apps on my iPhone. The actual Rocco Z21 app and one called “Z21 mobile”. I attach successfully to the DR5000 WiFi with my iPhone. And because it’s in gateway mode I can actually hit the internet through the DR5000. So that all seems to work. But I am unable to use either of the Z21 apps. Neither one will attach to the DR5000, which is in Z21/WLANMaus mode. I set the address to 192.168.16.254 but have no luck.
What am I doing wrong? As I said, last time I sat down at this a couple years ago it all worked.
My main interest and hurry now is that I got laid off from my job as an iOS engineer, and I want to use my app as a learning tool to catch up on SwiftIU/Combine. I had been using UIKit and RxSwift with it. I did a little SwiftUI/Combine for a POC of an app but need to get much better at it as a lot of the open jobs are looking for that skill and I am weak. So I figured what better way than to take my simple throttle app I was working on and convert it over. Better than just mindless tutorials :)
Anyway, if anyone has an idea of what I should look at to get my DR5000 responding to Z21 connections / commands I’d appreciate it.
Thanks
Chad
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
On Fri, Mar 7, 2025 at 01:20 PM, Jay Lennox wrote:
One limitation you should be aware of when using an LNWI - each one supports up to 4 connections, and if one throttle disconnects, the only way to get that connection available again is to power off and on the LNWI.? Otherwise they are very stable.
As I would only use one device I assume that means one connection.
Is the issue one of the LNWI running at capacity or will it do that regardless of how many devices are used?
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
I use the LNWI hooked via LocoNet for WiThrottle. ? I also bought an S88 / WiThrottle module from a guy in Poland. ?I don’t remember if I’ve ever used it.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Mar 6, 2025, at 8:59?AM, karst.drenth via groups.io <karst.drenth@...> wrote:
? For a DR5000, that is correct. For a to YD7001 upgrade (YD9401) it’s incorrect. The YD7001 talks native WiThrottle.
|
Re: 4018 won't enter programming mode
The Programming-Button issue indicate a failed PIC. You might try to swap the Fets however ;)
|
Re: 4018 won't enter programming mode
Hi Karst,
?
Thanks for the concise reply. :-)
?
It will be in the waste bin just after I strip out the FET's - I have another 4018 that has a dead output. Someone once said to me that if the smoke doesn't come out you're not trying hard enough......
?
Thanks,
?
Pete S.
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
Jay,
Wow, sounds like you're dealing with quite the difficult crowd. Do these people have jobs? Jobs where they have to log into various computer systems? In terms of boot up time, I haven't timed it, but my Windows 10 PC has to be close to a minute, if not less, and it's a sub-$300 refurb from Amazon. Macs are really fast, but they are way overkill cost wise for running a JMRI server.
I think you've gotten really close on the RPi and YD7001+router. The RPi sounds like it's maxing out on the built-in Wi-Fi, which is terrible. I think it can handle a lot more clients with an Ethernet connection to the router. Handling the Wi-Fi connections in software is a huge drain on the RPi's computing power, whereas routers can handle that in hardware, and are designed for the task.
You can have multiple JMRI servers on the same LAN on different IPs, like one on the YD7001, and one on an RPi, albeit with a little bit more confusing interface on the UWTs, as they don't lay out the IP address right in front of you like WiThrottle and Engine Driver do. Interesting, the F2 thing must be a bug in the YD7001's WiThrottle server, I've never seen that in WiThrottle.
What issues have you had with WiThrottle server? The only wonkiness I've had are with the ProtoThrottle bridge, which is usually pretty good but occasionally requires restarting something to get it to connect. Right now I'm using a TCS CS-105 with LCC over Wi-Fi, so WiThrottle server bridges the ProtoThrottle bridge with the CS-105.
Alex
-- Alexander Wood Hartford-New Haven, CT Modeling the modern era freelanced G&W Connecticut Northern in HO TCS CS-105 - JMRI - ProtoThrottle - TCS UWT-100, UWT-50p, LT-50
Alexander
?
Nice to hear from you again.? Yes, I personally agree that having 6 LNWIs is probably not the correct solution, if I was the only one involved in making the decision.? I have a large number of other club members who want a solution that consistently lets them run trains 1 minute after turning on the power to the layout.
?
The view point of other members is as soon as we involve a computer they are reliant on it always 'coming up' cleanly.? Unfortunately, given the number of members who come on operations nights, this means a PC, probably running Windows.? We have had 14 members actively running trains on an operations night, and we have 2 new members to add to this load.
?
I have tested a Raspberry PI 3B+ running JMRI and it tops out at about 6 or 7 connected throttles.? I have also tried out the YD7001 native WiFi / WiThrottle support and we got to about 8 or 9 active throttles, before this configuration 'maxed out'.? I set up a router and turned off the native WiFi support in the YD7001 and we got to about 12 active throttles.? I disconnected the LNWIs for these three tests.
?
We are setup this way right now:
- 6 LNWIs connected via the LocoNet T port on the YD7001. Each members throttle assigned to a specific LNWI.? There are a few members who have 2 throttles, so they take up two slots on the 6 LNWIs.? Assigning throttles to LNWIs does not make efficient use of them, but this does provide very predictable and consistent connections so you can run trains within a minute of power on.? I acknowledge that is someone does not come on an operations night we are wasting an LNWI slot.
- There is a router connected to our club LAN, which gives WiFi access to the YD7001 without going through the LNWIs.? I personally use this, as does one other member.? If we have guests from other clubs show up, we connect them via the router/LAN.? There is one minor annoyance with going through this method - F2 is latching, which means that the loco horn continues to sound until you press F2 again.?
Members come to run trains, not debug problems.? Reliability and quick power on a keys to happy club members.
?
Jay Lennox
York Railway Modellers - Toronto
?
PS. I run JMRI on a Windows PC connected to my train room Lan/WiFi at home to allow my 2 TCS throttles and one cell phone to be used on my layout.? My granddaughters find that this setup works great because I am always there to trouble shoot any problems, and we do have glitches.
?
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
Alexander
?
Nice to hear from you again.? Yes, I personally agree that having 6 LNWIs is probably not the correct solution, if I was the only one involved in making the decision.? I have a large number of other club members who want a solution that consistently lets them run trains 1 minute after turning on the power to the layout.
?
The view point of other members is as soon as we involve a computer they are reliant on it always 'coming up' cleanly.? Unfortunately, given the number of members who come on operations nights, this means a PC, probably running Windows.? We have had 14 members actively running trains on an operations night, and we have 2 new members to add to this load.
?
I have tested a Raspberry PI 3B+ running JMRI and it tops out at about 6 or 7 connected throttles.? I have also tried out the YD7001 native WiFi / WiThrottle support and we got to about 8 or 9 active throttles, before this configuration 'maxed out'.? I set up a router and turned off the native WiFi support in the YD7001 and we got to about 12 active throttles.? I disconnected the LNWIs for these three tests.
?
We are setup this way right now:
- 6 LNWIs connected via the LocoNet T port on the YD7001. Each members throttle assigned to a specific LNWI.? There are a few members who have 2 throttles, so they take up two slots on the 6 LNWIs.? Assigning throttles to LNWIs does not make efficient use of them, but this does provide very predictable and consistent connections so you can run trains within a minute of power on.? I acknowledge that is someone does not come on an operations night we are wasting an LNWI slot.
- There is a router connected to our club LAN, which gives WiFi access to the YD7001 without going through the LNWIs.? I personally use this, as does one other member.? If we have guests from other clubs show up, we connect them via the router/LAN.? There is one minor annoyance with going through this method - F2 is latching, which means that the loco horn continues to sound until you press F2 again.?
Members come to run trains, not debug problems.? Reliability and quick power on a keys to happy club members.
?
Jay Lennox
York Railway Modellers - Toronto
?
PS. I run JMRI on a Windows PC connected to my train room Lan/WiFi at home to allow my 2 TCS throttles and one cell phone to be used on my layout.? My granddaughters find that this setup works great because I am always there to trouble shoot any problems, and we do have glitches.
?
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
Jay,
SIX LNWI's? They're pretty terrible to begin with, but once you need more than four connections, it makes a LOT more sense to just run JMRI on a Raspberry Pi or a PC.
Alex
-- Alexander Wood Hartford-New Haven, CT Modeling the modern era freelanced G&W Connecticut Northern in HO TCS CS-105 - JMRI - ProtoThrottle - TCS UWT-100, UWT-50p, LT-50
Nags
?
Yes, you can use the DigiTrax LNWI module to connect a throttle supporting WiThrottle protocol to a DR5000.? The LNWI connects to the DR5000 via the LocoNet T socket.? The LNWI converts WiThrottle protocol to LocoNet for transmission to the DR5000.
?
At the York Railway Modellers club here in Toronto, we have connected several different throttle types to the DR5000 using this method - TCS100s, TCS50s, iPhones running the WiThrottle app, and Android phones running the Engine Driver app.?
?
One limitation you should be aware of when using an LNWI - each one supports up to 4 connections, and if one throttle disconnects, the only way to get that connection available again is to power off and on the LNWI.? Otherwise they are very stable.
?
I am not trying to sell you on upgrading your DR5000 to a YD7001 using the YD9401 module, but this does allow you to get direct WiThrottle protocol support, plus other protocols simultaneously.? The other advantage is that if a throttle using WiThrottle protocol disconnects from the YD7001, the connection is immediately available for another throttle to use.
?
Full disclosure.? At York Railway Modellers, I converted our two DR5000s to YD7001s about 20 months ago.? They are very stable - we are still using our six LNWIs with them, and we are using the built in WiThrottle support to add additional connected throttle capacity. I worked with Karst over several months to request and test software enhancements.? He is very supportive of the customers using his products.
?
Jay Lennox
York Railway Modellers - Toronto
|
Re: 4018 won't enter programming mode
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
On Fri, Mar 7, 2025 at 01:20 PM, Jay Lennox wrote:
I am not trying to sell you on upgrading your DR5000 to a YD7001 using the YD9401 module, but this does allow you to get direct WiThrottle protocol support, plus other protocols simultaneously.
Thanks for the info regarding the LNWI.? The DR5000 does the job and given it will be limited to one wifi app (Engine Driver) for personal use it should do. Down the track I might get a wifi controller but they're pretty x-ie down-under.
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
Nags
?
Yes, you can use the DigiTrax LNWI module to connect a throttle supporting WiThrottle protocol to a DR5000.? The LNWI connects to the DR5000 via the LocoNet T socket.? The LNWI converts WiThrottle protocol to LocoNet for transmission to the DR5000.
?
At the York Railway Modellers club here in Toronto, we have connected several different throttle types to the DR5000 using this method - TCS100s, TCS50s, iPhones running the WiThrottle app, and Android phones running the Engine Driver app.?
?
One limitation you should be aware of when using an LNWI - each one supports up to 4 connections, and if one throttle disconnects, the only way to get that connection available again is to power off and on the LNWI.? Otherwise they are very stable.
?
I am not trying to sell you on upgrading your DR5000 to a YD7001 using the YD9401 module, but this does allow you to get direct WiThrottle protocol support, plus other protocols simultaneously.? The other advantage is that if a throttle using WiThrottle protocol disconnects from the YD7001, the connection is immediately available for another throttle to use.
?
Full disclosure.? At York Railway Modellers, I converted our two DR5000s to YD7001s about 20 months ago.? They are very stable - we are still using our six LNWIs with them, and we are using the built in WiThrottle support to add additional connected throttle capacity. I worked with Karst over several months to request and test software enhancements.? He is very supportive of the customers using his products.
?
Jay Lennox
York Railway Modellers - Toronto
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
On Fri, Mar 7, 2025 at 02:59 AM, karst.drenth wrote:
For a DR5000, that is correct. For a to YD7001 upgrade (YD9401) it’s incorrect. The YD7001 talks native WiThrottle.
It's a bog standard DR5000. OK, it doesn't support the WiThrottle protocol 'as is'.
I have a DigiTrax LNWI module - I'll believe that should connect via the DR5000's LocoNet.
|
4018 won't enter programming mode
Hi Guys,
?
I have several DR4018's run from a YD7001. I cannot get one of the 4018's to stay in programming mode. I can push the button and the red light comes on, but when I release the button the light goes out. If I can't get the light to stay on I assume I can't reset the unit or program it. I have a 200 ohm resistor between C and 1 as per instructions!
?
Is now a brick to be consigned to the waste bin, or is there a way to reset it? I just don't like throwing out something that could be recovered.
?
Thanks
?
Pete S.
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
For a DR5000, that is correct. For a to YD7001 upgrade (YD9401) it’s incorrect. The YD7001 talks native WiThrottle.
|
Re: DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
I have the upgraded DR5000 with the YD9401 Upgrade Module, and it works fine on my Android phone with Engine Driver. On my 009 layout and it also controls MTB motorised point motors via Yamorc YD 8116 with no problems.
?
I should also state the upgrade took some doing,? but with out the help from other members on here and else where I would have given up on it but it now works great.?
|
DR5000 - throttle apps compatible with its WiFi
I know the Z21 app works (and I've used it) but I'm not clear about other apps.
From digging around it seems apps such as WiThrottle or Engine Driver need to go through JMRI or something like a LNWI module connected via the DR5000's LocoNet.
?
Is this correct?
|
Oldngrey
karst.drenth