NCE Cab Bus WiFi Interface ~ WFD-30
Board Only
You can install this Wi-Fi/DCC NCE CAB Bus Interface on your layout to provide Wi-Fi Control of trains using your NCE DCC Equipment. Control Trains using popular apps such as WiThrottle on Apple, Engine Driver on Android or, if you don't like phones, the popular TCS UWT-100 Universal Wi-Fi Throttle. This NCE CAB Bus-Compatible product will work with any NCE Command Station such as Power Pro, Smart Booster and Power Cab. The unit acts as a WiThrottle server using Hoffman's WiThrottle protocol, just like JMRI, with optional loco roster and turnout list. YOU DON'T NEED TO INSTALL JMRI ANYWHERE - just connect to your NCE command station, install a recommended App on your Apple iPhone/iPad, or your Android phone/tablet, connect to the device and start driving trains.
Cab Bus Cable: Click Here
Enclosure For NCE Wifi Interface: Click Here
FWA-20 Firmware Update Tool For NCE Wifi Interface: Click Here
Description:
This module provides Wi-Fi control of DCC locomotives and accessories using your NCE Command Station from a hand-held such as a phone, tablet or dedicated throttle that uses the WiThrottle protocol authored by Brett Hoffman. WifiTrax has thoroughly tested operation using the popular and excellent apps Engine Driver for Android and WiThrottle for Apple and guarantees operation for all the scenarios described in our Recommended App Test Report.
If you want a more tactile driving experience, use the popular TCS UWT-100 Universal Wi-Fi Throttle. Again we have carefully evaluated its compatibility.
Please contact WifiTrax support for any questions or issues relating to operation with 3rd-party apps rather than the authors these apps. It is is unlikely that authors of apps will be able to answer questions relating to our products.
Of course you can also operate locomotives using WifiTrax Loco Operator version 3.5 on Windows or Android, in which case you can operate other WifiTrax products such as Switch Machine controllers etc.
Don't be fooled by the simple appearance of this module. The value is in the firmware!
WifiTrax has developed Complex Real-Time C language code to run in the Silicon Valley Tensilica L106 32-bit micro controller processor licensed by Espressif and built into their Wi-Fi module to do many things:
It provides a WiThrottle Server, just like JMRI except that YOU DON'T NEED A COMPUTER - it's all in this little module.
It provides an NCE CAB Bus interface - the NCE standard to connect Cabs to Command Stations.
It translates all the WiThrottle commands to NCE Cab Bus commands.
It provides an on-board loco roster and turnout list and allows you to maintain it using web pages on your browser.
You can provide meaningful names for the function keys for each loco in your roster and set them to latch or not as required.
You can set WPA2-PSK Security on the device's direct Wi-Fi Access Point with your own password. You can connect more than one WFD-30 to an NCE command station so you can take your unit along to your club with your own roster - only those your authorize can access it and drive your locos.
It supports 4 connected throttles out of the box, BUT you can connect it to your home network so that the number of throttles is increased to 8.
Last but certainly not least, you get a complete and detailed on-line manual on all aspects of operation, with clear instructions on using third-party apps with the WFD-30.
To get started with this device, all you need to do is connect it to the CAB Bus socket on your NCE command station, connect your smart phone, tablet or Universal Wi-Fi Throttle to the device's Wi-Fi Access Point and start one of the recommended Apps such as WiThrottle, Engine Driver or Loco Operator.
Select the broadcast WiThrottle server, and drive trains by selecting a locomotive using its DCC address. But there's a great deal more:
You can create a locomotive roster similar to JMRI, specify a name and DCC address for each entry, and customize the function keys for the decoder in each loco. When you select from the roster, displayed by your smart-phone app, all the function keys will be labelled for that loco and decoder. Maybe you have diesel locos, where F2 should show "Horn" and steam locos where F2 should show "Whistle". Similarly, some locos might have various lights that others do not.
You can define a list of DCC accessory turnouts that will be loaded into WiThrottle or Engine Driver when you connect.
With direct connection to the WFD-30 module, you can have up to 4 hand-held throttles, BUT you can connect the module to your home network which allows up to 8 throttles connected at any one time. So when there are many operators, you can have up to eight throttles without needing to install multiple WFD-30 modules and remember which one you should connect to. Also all your hand-helds are connected to your home net, so you can access the internet and use other apps at the same time as driving your trains and you don't have to connect to the unit's Wi-Fi each time.
The name NCE and the NCE logo is the property of North Coast Engineering, Webster, NY, USA. WiThrottle is the name of a communication protocol authored by Brett Hoffman and also of an IOS app written by Brett Hoffman. Engine Driver is the name of an Android app written by M. Steve Todd. The WFD-30 was developed with NCE assistance and encouragement but WifiTrax takes full responsibility for its features and performance.
Notice:
Configuration: Power Cab is acting as the command station, plugged into the left hand socket of the Power Cab panel using the flat NCE cable, and the WFD-30 is plugged into the right hand socket of the Power Cab Panel using the coiled cable. WFD-30 is set to Cab address 3 (all DIP Switches set to off (zero).
Symptoms: Using Engine Driver, WiThrottle or TCS UWT-100, you can connect to the WFD-30, select a loco and operate functions and speed. When you do this the LEDs on the WFD-30 flash but the loco does not move and none of its functions operate such as lights and sound. The loco can be driven from the Power Cab itself OK.
Solution: The problem occurs because the Power Cab has version 1.65 (or earlier) firmware. You need to buy the upgrade chip from NCE and upgrade your Power Cab Firmware to 1.65B. Note the “B” version is required.
Power Cab version 1.65 (without the B) had some big problems.
The same version upgrade would also, we think, be needed in the SB3/5 Smart Booster, i.e. 1.65B needed.
Nobody has reported any problem with NCE Power Pro command stations but you are advised to use Power Pro with 2007C version at the least.
Quick Start Guide: Click Here
Full Manual: Click Here
Board Only
You can install this Wi-Fi/DCC NCE CAB Bus Interface on your layout to provide Wi-Fi Control of trains using your NCE DCC Equipment. Control Trains using popular apps such as WiThrottle on Apple, Engine Driver on Android or, if you don't like phones, the popular TCS UWT-100 Universal Wi-Fi Throttle. This NCE CAB Bus-Compatible product will work with any NCE Command Station such as Power Pro, Smart Booster and Power Cab. The unit acts as a WiThrottle server using Hoffman's WiThrottle protocol, just like JMRI, with optional loco roster and turnout list. YOU DON'T NEED TO INSTALL JMRI ANYWHERE - just connect to your NCE command station, install a recommended App on your Apple iPhone/iPad, or your Android phone/tablet, connect to the device and start driving trains.
Cab Bus Cable: Click Here
Enclosure For NCE Wifi Interface: Click Here
FWA-20 Firmware Update Tool For NCE Wifi Interface: Click Here
Description:
This module provides Wi-Fi control of DCC locomotives and accessories using your NCE Command Station from a hand-held such as a phone, tablet or dedicated throttle that uses the WiThrottle protocol authored by Brett Hoffman. WifiTrax has thoroughly tested operation using the popular and excellent apps Engine Driver for Android and WiThrottle for Apple and guarantees operation for all the scenarios described in our Recommended App Test Report.
If you want a more tactile driving experience, use the popular TCS UWT-100 Universal Wi-Fi Throttle. Again we have carefully evaluated its compatibility.
Please contact WifiTrax support for any questions or issues relating to operation with 3rd-party apps rather than the authors these apps. It is is unlikely that authors of apps will be able to answer questions relating to our products.
Of course you can also operate locomotives using WifiTrax Loco Operator version 3.5 on Windows or Android, in which case you can operate other WifiTrax products such as Switch Machine controllers etc.
Don't be fooled by the simple appearance of this module. The value is in the firmware!
WifiTrax has developed Complex Real-Time C language code to run in the Silicon Valley Tensilica L106 32-bit micro controller processor licensed by Espressif and built into their Wi-Fi module to do many things:
It provides a WiThrottle Server, just like JMRI except that YOU DON'T NEED A COMPUTER - it's all in this little module.
It provides an NCE CAB Bus interface - the NCE standard to connect Cabs to Command Stations.
It translates all the WiThrottle commands to NCE Cab Bus commands.
It provides an on-board loco roster and turnout list and allows you to maintain it using web pages on your browser.
You can provide meaningful names for the function keys for each loco in your roster and set them to latch or not as required.
You can set WPA2-PSK Security on the device's direct Wi-Fi Access Point with your own password. You can connect more than one WFD-30 to an NCE command station so you can take your unit along to your club with your own roster - only those your authorize can access it and drive your locos.
It supports 4 connected throttles out of the box, BUT you can connect it to your home network so that the number of throttles is increased to 8.
Last but certainly not least, you get a complete and detailed on-line manual on all aspects of operation, with clear instructions on using third-party apps with the WFD-30.
To get started with this device, all you need to do is connect it to the CAB Bus socket on your NCE command station, connect your smart phone, tablet or Universal Wi-Fi Throttle to the device's Wi-Fi Access Point and start one of the recommended Apps such as WiThrottle, Engine Driver or Loco Operator.
Select the broadcast WiThrottle server, and drive trains by selecting a locomotive using its DCC address. But there's a great deal more:
You can create a locomotive roster similar to JMRI, specify a name and DCC address for each entry, and customize the function keys for the decoder in each loco. When you select from the roster, displayed by your smart-phone app, all the function keys will be labelled for that loco and decoder. Maybe you have diesel locos, where F2 should show "Horn" and steam locos where F2 should show "Whistle". Similarly, some locos might have various lights that others do not.
You can define a list of DCC accessory turnouts that will be loaded into WiThrottle or Engine Driver when you connect.
With direct connection to the WFD-30 module, you can have up to 4 hand-held throttles, BUT you can connect the module to your home network which allows up to 8 throttles connected at any one time. So when there are many operators, you can have up to eight throttles without needing to install multiple WFD-30 modules and remember which one you should connect to. Also all your hand-helds are connected to your home net, so you can access the internet and use other apps at the same time as driving your trains and you don't have to connect to the unit's Wi-Fi each time.
The name NCE and the NCE logo is the property of North Coast Engineering, Webster, NY, USA. WiThrottle is the name of a communication protocol authored by Brett Hoffman and also of an IOS app written by Brett Hoffman. Engine Driver is the name of an Android app written by M. Steve Todd. The WFD-30 was developed with NCE assistance and encouragement but WifiTrax takes full responsibility for its features and performance.
Notice:
Configuration: Power Cab is acting as the command station, plugged into the left hand socket of the Power Cab panel using the flat NCE cable, and the WFD-30 is plugged into the right hand socket of the Power Cab Panel using the coiled cable. WFD-30 is set to Cab address 3 (all DIP Switches set to off (zero).
Symptoms: Using Engine Driver, WiThrottle or TCS UWT-100, you can connect to the WFD-30, select a loco and operate functions and speed. When you do this the LEDs on the WFD-30 flash but the loco does not move and none of its functions operate such as lights and sound. The loco can be driven from the Power Cab itself OK.
Solution: The problem occurs because the Power Cab has version 1.65 (or earlier) firmware. You need to buy the upgrade chip from NCE and upgrade your Power Cab Firmware to 1.65B. Note the “B” version is required.
Power Cab version 1.65 (without the B) had some big problems.
The same version upgrade would also, we think, be needed in the SB3/5 Smart Booster, i.e. 1.65B needed.
Nobody has reported any problem with NCE Power Pro command stations but you are advised to use Power Pro with 2007C version at the least.
Quick Start Guide: Click Here
Full Manual: Click Here
