I installed a NCE PowerCab DCC system on my layout few weeks ago and I am planning to add a second throttle (Cab05 or Cab06) for the occasional guest. I recently read about the WiThrottle, an application from Apple that allows to use an iPhone or iPod as a throttle for DCC trains. I already have a computer, a Wifi router and an iPod. If what I read is exact, I will only need to buy a NCE USB Interface and donwload Decoder Pro from JMRI and the Apple application. Is it right? Except for the cost of the USB Interface, I will have a "free" Throttle. It sounds to good to be true.
Had someone tested this solution extensively?
Does anyone use it on a regular basis to run his trains?
Is it as good as a regular throttle as the NCE Cab05?
Guy
Modeling CNR in the 50's
Guy,
I know our resident DCC expert, Randy (rrinker), has tried it. However, he would have probably tested it with his Digitrax Zephyr Xtra. May or may not make a difference. I'm sure Randy will chime in.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I am using it on my layout, although I have the Lenz DCC system. I really don't think it matters which DCC system you use, as long as you get the right USB interface hardware. I have a blog entry on it here, scroll down to see it. http://housatonicnscale.blogspot.com/
Overall, I love it. Just know that the trains will stop if you get a phone call while using it. It is easy to set up and is very user friendly. I believe the Windows 7 driver issue I mentioned has been resolved with the latest releases of the app.
Eric
pomperaugrr Just know that the trains will stop if you get a phone call while using it.
Just know that the trains will stop if you get a phone call while using it.
Thanks for that bit of info, Eric. I've been curious what would happen when one's iPhone rang.
At the MFM club Trois-Rivieres Quebec we use the WiThrottle with a Digitrax system and like it very much. There are 2 version of the WiThrottle one is free the other one is 10$, I recommend the paid version. Although the Club uses Digitrax, I also own a PowerCab and know it will work perfectly with it.
We are not that far from where you live, and would be glad to demonstrate it to you if you wish. Just send me a PM so we can arrange for a meeting.
Jack W.
I use the Android version with my Digitrax Super Chief. Works fine, although in my opinion the GUI isn't as good as a physical throttle in your hand. But that might just be my cheap tablet...
Not sure how the PowerCab would deal with it, though.
The Powercab itself and the USB adapter would use the two cab addresses the PowerCab officially supports, so depending on whether or not the WiThrottle presents itself as an additional cab address might make a difference.
However, Jack's post seems to indicate that's not an issue.
Yes Stevert, there is an undocumented way to plug 2 Cabs and the USB interface simultaneously on an NCE PowerCab.
tstage pomperaugrr: Just know that the trains will stop if you get a phone call while using it. Thanks for that bit of info, Eric. I've been curious what would happen when one's iPhone rang. Tom
pomperaugrr: Just know that the trains will stop if you get a phone call while using it.
Because As we all know distracted driving is not good even for model railroads
Joe Staten Island West
jalajoie Yes Stevert, there is an undocumented way to plug 2 Cabs and the USB interface simultaneously on an NCE PowerCab.
I'm aware of that. You simply have to set it to address 4. That's why I originally referred to " the two cab addresses the PowerCab officially supports".
But my question was whether or not the virtual throttle instances created by JMRI/WiThrottle and introduced via the USB interface also count towards the PowerCab's limit, either documented or undocumented.
For example, can you have the Powercab, another physical throttle (let's say a CAB06P set to address 4), the USB interface, and one or more WiThrottle instances all operating concurrently?
Or does that limit of three restrict you to the PowerCab throttle, the USB interface, and either another physical throttle or a JMRI/WiThrottle instance (but not both)?
tstage: pomperaugrr: Just know that the trains will stop if you get a phone call while using it. Thanks for that bit of info, Eric. I've been curious what would happen when one's iPhone rang. Tom
It is a very nice fail safe built in to the software.
I recently upgraded to a HTC Android phone and have just installed "Engine Driver," but have not tried it out yet. I kept the old iPhone to use as a throttle and an iPod, since those functions still work, including the wireless connection.
Stevert But my question was whether or not the virtual throttle instances created by JMRI/WiThrottle and introduced via the USB interface also count towards the PowerCab's limit, either documented or undocumented. For example, can you have the Powercab, another physical throttle (let's say a CAB06P set to address 4), the USB interface, and one or more WiThrottle instances all operating concurrently? Or does that limit of three restrict you to the PowerCab throttle, the USB interface, and either another physical throttle or a JMRI/WiThrottle instance (but not both)?
I asked this very question to some NCE experts and they said that throttle instances set up and run through JMRI, which is what the iPhone/iPod touch/Android would be emulating, would NOT count toward your throttle limit. One person even set it up and confirmed it before responding.
Dean
dean_1230 I asked this very question to some NCE experts and they said that throttle instances set up and run through JMRI, which is what the iPhone/iPod touch/Android would be emulating, would NOT count toward your throttle limit. One person even set it up and confirmed it before responding.
So...technically speaking...with this scenario you could have a limitless number of virtual throttles - no matter what DCC system you use.
dean_1230I asked this very question to some NCE experts and they said that throttle instances set up and run through JMRI, which is what the iPhone/iPod touch/Android would be emulating, would NOT count toward your throttle limit. One person even set it up and confirmed it before responding. Dean
Thanks Dean, that answers my question. Good info to know!
tstageSo...technically speaking...with this scenario you could have a limitless number of virtual throttles - no matter what DCC system you use. Tom
Sounds like that probably would be the case, although my guess is that you'd still have the CS's logical (firmware) and physical (amperage) limits of how many locos you could control.
For example, I know that's true for Digitrax, even with physical throttles. Since Digitrax doesn't address it's throttles, you can plug in as many as you want, as long as you either have batteries in them or provide LocoNet power for them (it can be added externally). But you can only control as many locos as you have CS slots (and of course can provide track power for).
Although other manufacturers don't use the term "slots", I'm sure they have architectural limits on the number of locos/consists/etc their firmware can keep track of.
I would recommend getting the USB interface and JMRI regardless - programming, especially sound locos, is MUCH easier with JMRI.
I find the WiThrottle works quite well. You to tend to look at your phone more than you would look at a throttle with a physical knob. The paid version has multipel throttles - 2 ons creen at once, or a yard mode throttle where the center is off and you slide up to go faster forward, slide down to go faster reverse. I use it rarely at home, over the years I've accumulated 3 throttles for my Digitrax system so I have plenty. I did hook up at a club show so I could run my train, and it worked great, with an app called Connectify to make my laptop into a hotspot to connect my iPhone to, and then using my PR3 to plug into the throttle Loconet. I could work all over, and since my laptop was set up at one end - it was nearly 120 feet to the far end, still had control. All was great until my laptop went to sleep - plugged in, I had the sleep time set WAY up, but not disabled. That broke the USB connection, and turned off the radio, so suddenly I had no control. Ooops. Next time I will remember to disable all sleep settings when on AC power. At home it's a bit different, I have a computer with Linux in the train room runnign JMRI, my wireless router is downstairs, but it works fine. JMRI doesn;t care about the operating system, as long as there is a network path from the phoen to the computer runnign JMRI, you're good.
The throttle limit thing, not sure how that's handled. NCE works differently than Digitrax. With Digitrax the real limit is number of locos you can simultaneously run - my Zephyr can do 12. They also list that as the throttle limit, but I'm pretty sure you can plug in more - they just can't do anything because there would be no more slots for locos. Since the restriction in NCE is number of throttles (in all cases, assuming sufficient power to run all the locos of course), and JMRI throttles are not given a throttle ID (just the USB interface), I would think that any number of WiThrottle or JMRI throttles just appear to the system as a single throttle running multiple locos, so using WiThrottle would be a way around the PowerCab limit - which is good since you can EITHER hook up the USB interface OR a second throttle.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I'm using WiThrottle with a Sprog 3 setup. It works pretty well (thanks to Randy for the assist).
- If your system supports it, make sure it's not in a "program mode" (JMRI is treating your layout as a program track). It needs to be in some sort of "command mode".
- WiThrottle has an option called "Immediate Idle on Alerts". If you turn this off, WiThrottle won't stop your trains when you receive a call OR if you go tithe address or options screens within WiThrottle.
Hope that helps.
Tim