New Installation - Walthers Mainline GE SC44 GEVo
Check out our new installation documentation for the Walthers Mainline GE SC44 GEVo by clicking the link below:
Click Here to View the Installation
This installation was performed earlier this year by TCS' very own Dan M (of YouTube fame). Not only did Dan perform the installation, but the new WM-MB1 motherboard used in this installation was designed by Dan as well. Great job, Dan!
Also new in this installation, the debut of our new 28x18mm speaker! You can learn more about that speaker by clicking the link below:
New Speaker Available From TCS
Both the new WM-MB1 motherboard, as well as the speaker are included in a new WOWKit for this installation, which you can check out here:
New WOWKit for Walthers Mainline GEvo
New WOWKit - WDK-WAL-2
A new WOWKit is available in the WOWDiesel line of kits - the WDK-WAL-2 - TCS Part Number 1789
WDK-WAL-2 stands for "WOWSound Diesel Kit (for) Walthers Locomotives (kit number) 2.
The WAL-2 kit was purpose-designed specifically for the Walthers Mainline-series GE GEVo locomotive in HO-Scale. The kit features, most notably, a brand new motherboard, the WM-MB1 (PN:1617), and our New 28x18mm Speaker (PN:1717).
As with all of our WOWKits, the WAL-2 kit includes everything you need to convert your locomotive to TCS WOWSound, which includes:
- 1x WOW121-Diesel sound decoder
- 1x Motherboard
- Integrated Keep Alive® on-board
- 1x WOWSpeaker - compatible with the model
You can check out the conversion process by looking over our Documented Installation for the Walthers Mainline GE GEVo.
New WOWSpeaker Available
New TCS Speaker - The 28x18mm* "micro" speaker with enclosure - TCS Part Number 1717
*dimensions are reflective of the total outside perimeter
TCS recently released a new style of speaker for sale. This speaker is, at it's core, based upon the increasingly-popular cellphone-style "sugar cube" speaker; however, no other speaker of a comparable size can deliver crisp, clean, quality audio the way this speaker does. Even compared to some of the high-quality offerings from TCS, this new speaker can blow some of them out of the water! (Now just imagine what it can do to your OEM speaker *wink*)
In TCS' march for continuous improvement, and continuing dedication to delivering the best quality products with the latest and greatest technology, we guarantee you can hear the difference between this speaker and the competition.
This 28mm x 18mm speaker is a tough little beast capable of pumping out 1.2 Watts of power, despite the relatively small size of the actual driver. This micro speaker comes packaged inside an air-tight injection-molded plastic enclosure to maximize the volume and frequency response, especially at the low end. On the outside, 5 out of the 6 sides are covered in a padded foam material. This material will prevent distortion caused by vibration if the enclosure is within a small space, or crammed up against any surface(s).
This speaker also comes from TCS with 6-inch (152mm) long 32AWG wire and a 2-pin JST "SR"-Series connector. This connector can be clipped off if not needed, but can be readily plugged into some products such as the WM-MB1 and WM-MB2 motherboards. Check it out in the 1717's debut installation for the Walthers Mainline GE GEVo HERE.
Specs
Dimensions: 1.1" x 0.71" x 0.32" (or 28mm x 18mm x 8.1mm)
Sound Pressure Level (SPL): 95 dB ± 3.0 dB at 1.2W, 10cm, 2.0 KHz.
Effective Frequency Band: 500 Hz. to 20,000 Hz.
Power Rating: 1.2W (Typical) 1.5W (Peak)
DC Impedance: 6 Ω ± 20 % at 1.2W 2000 Hz.
Important Safety Note When Using This Speaker:
TCS WOWSound decoders use an audio amplifier capable of supplying up to 2 Watts of power to an 8 Ohm load at maximum volume. The amplifier(s) on a WOWSound product can support speakers with impedance ratings as low as 4 Ohms. A reduction in impedance will result in a more power (more Watts) being supplied to the speaker. This speaker is rated at 6 Ohms of Impedance and 1.2 Watts of continuous power. (See "Specs" for more details) It is recommended that you set your master volume to ~60% or less to prevent over-driving and damage to your decoder or speaker.
How This Speaker Came to Be
Our audio experts at TCS were truly blown away by the first impressions we got of the first samples of these speakers, delivering an impressive amount of volume, and more importantly bass, in such a small package!
Originally, this design was going to be a one-off use for an OEM project, the Bachmann Sound Value GP35, but we were so impressed that we couldn't NOT make it available to our customers for their own installations!
The latest run of EMD GP35 locomotives for 2022 in the Sound Value line from Bachmann Trains are a unique lot. The chassis used in these particular locomotives was originally not designed for sound AT ALL, so our clever engineers at TCS had to think outside the box for a solution. Our line of thinking led us to a unique decoder design with an integrated speaker inside the decoder itself! (shown below)
By integrating the speaker directly into the decoder's PCB, we were able to place the speaker in a tactical position - directly above the motor! Doing so allows the sound output from the speaker to flow through the only hole in the top of the chassis, around the motor, through internal routes in the chassis, and out through the trucks. We also noticed that the sealed nature of the shell also amplifies resonance, improving the audio quality. The foam padding on the enclosure prevents unwanted vibrations and distortion, and holds the speaker in place within the decoder. Very clever, if we do say so ourselves. But don't just take our word for it; pick up your own Sound Value GP35, coming later in 2022 from Bachmann Trains!
Your New Favorite N-Scale Companion
Thanks to the compactness, as well as its ability to output a lot of power, this new speaker is very useful in N-scale sound decoder installations. One of our favorites is the KATO FEF-3.
This locomotive in particular has an internal design which is very friendly to the installation of this speaker and a WOW101-Steam sound decoder. TCS' Dan M has done three successful installations for customers using the setup shown below:
The final product of this setup is loud, clear, and authentic steam sound which might confuse your HO buddies into thinking you changed scales!
Video Coming Soon!
Upcoming From TCS & Bachmann Trains
Here is a summary of the upcoming projects you can expect to see releasing this year from Bachmann Trains featuring TCS decoders:
For more information and details on these projects described below, as well as other announcements from Bachmann trains, you should check out their 2022 Product Catalog
Fourth Run HO-Scale Siemens "Charger" Locomotives
Get in on the hottest and best-selling modern diesel locomotive - the HO-scale Siemens "Charger locomotive from Bachmann Trains. Following the success of the SC-44 Charger release in 2020, Bachmann recently announced new tooling and paint schemes for the ALC-42 Charger variant. In addition to the existing paint schemes, customers can expect to see new paint schemes for the following roads and numbers:
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) SC-44 #3110
Amtrak Cascades (WSDOT) SC-44 #1400
Amtrak "Day 1" 50th Anniversary ALC-42 #301
Amtrak Phase VI ALC-42 #300
Amtrak Phase VI ALC-42 #305
NCTD Coaster SC-44 #5001
VIA Rail SC-42 #2200
(Production Version Picture Coming Soon)
As with all previous runs, all of the Charger locomotives will come equipped from the factory with a dual-mode DCC sound decoder made specifically for the model by TCS. For more information on the HO Charger project and decoder, check out our Wiki Documentation for the SC-44 and ALC-42 models.
First Run N-Scale Siemens "Charger" Locomotives
Did we say ALL Charger locomotives from Bachmann were coming with TCS WOWSound from the factory? We did? Good. Because it's true.
Coming to a hobby shop near you - the N-scale Charger! This year, Bachmann will be delivering the long-anticipated N-scale version of the Siemens Charger. Bachmann has announced that they will be simultaneously be releasing the SC-44 and ALC-42 variants. Paint schemes and road numbers are yet to be announced as of the writing of this article.
New Run Spectrum-Line HO-Scale PRR K4
The latest, 2022, run of the HO-scale 4-6-2 "K4" locomotive from Bachmann will include a TCS WOWSteam decoder. Four versions will be available:
- PRR #5353 - Pre-war "slat" pilot Stock No. 84405
- PRR #5492 - Pre-war "slat" pilot Stock No. 84406
- PRR #612 - Post-war "modern" pilot Stock No. 84407
- PRR #3747 - Post-war "modern" pilot Stock No. 84408
The K4 will feature TCS' new Chuffinity technology.
New Run Sound Value Line USRA 0-6-0 Steam Locos
The latest, 2022, run of the HO-scale 4-6-2 "K4" locomotive from Bachmann will include a TCS WOWSteam decoder. Many versions will be available, including:
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Road-specific tenders
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Vanderbilt tenders
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Short-haul tenders
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Slope-back tenders
New paint schemes and variants will include:
- Baltimore and Ohio
- Union Pacific
- CRNJ
- Seaboard
- Southern
- North Pole & Southern
- And many more!
New Run HO-Scale GE 44-Ton Switchers
New to this model - Sound! The latest run of GE 44-ton switchers in HO-scale will feature a custom TCS WOWSound decoder solution.
The GE 44-tonner will also include a new paint scheme for Amtrak - #1000
Recently Released - HO-Scale Sound Value EMD FT
Recently revived from the Bachmann Catalog for the 2022 year, the EMD FT! An absolute classic model given new life with TCS WOWSound!
Recently Released - HO-Scale Sound Value ALCo RS-3
Also released in the 2021-2022 yearly transition, the ALCo RS-3. A long-standing favorite of many model railroaders new and old alike, now fitted with a quality sound decoder from TCS!
You can view a video from Bachmann showing off more examples of their upcoming products in 2022 below:
Firmware Version 2.4 is Now Available!
Release 2.4 is a scheduled software release for the UWT-100 that adds additional features, brings improvements to existing features based on the feedback of our users, and fixes some minor bugs.
Release 2.4 is the first production release for the UWT-50. If you are receiving a brand new UWT-50, the throttle is already programmed with this software. An update is not necessary, as there is nothing to update.
Changes
Fast Clock
- Under the WiThrottle Protocol mode, the throttle will display the Fast Clock if the WiThrottle Server supports it. The Fast Clock display works with all known fast clocks, but support will depend on the connection to your layout and supporting infrastructure.
- 12 hour and 24 hour clock formats are select-able in the settings.
- The Fast Clock displays on the right-hand-side. If the layout is in E-STOP, or Dual Throttle Mode (UWT-100 only) is enabled, that covers up the fast clock display.
- If the Fast Clock is not in use at the layout you are operating at, but the display is still turned on in the throttle settings, there is a possibility that a clock will display. By default, JMRI will create a “fast” clock which matches the current time of day and has a rate of 1:1. These clocks can be disabled in the JMRI WiThrottle Server settings (applies to all throttles), or individually on a per-throttle basis as stated above.
- To enable the Fast Clock automatic display, go to: Throttle Settings > Fast Clock > Show Fast Clock. (Default = OFF)
Remappable Button (Softkey) Changes
- To select F0 to F28 as fixed locomotive function number for a remappable button, enter the chosen number in the new “F0 - F28” menu. Found at: Menu > Settings > Throttle Settings > Change Buttons > [Button]
- Further to the above, The long list of entries F0, F1, … F28 is now removed from the "Common Functions" list in order to improve performance and give a better user experience. Common Functions list still exists, and consists of only named functions now.
- After selecting a remappable button in the Change Buttons menu, the current setting is now printed in the title.
- “Stop” is a new selectable function that can be assigned to any remappable button. The behavior is that it sets the locomotive speed to zero (with normal deceleration).
- The operations on the 1-dot, 2-dot, 3-dot and 4-dot keys are slightly rearranged on the UWT-100 in certain auxiliary screens to be aligned with the UWT-50 and be more intuitive to use. For example a confirmation dialog is now presented as “Yes | No” instead of “No | Yes”.
Accessory Mode Control Improvements
- Added new "toggle-and-exit" feature to the Accessory Window. This feature was recommended through user feedback.
To use the toggle-and-exit feature, first select an accessory (e.g. typing in a number), then press the Enter button to toggle the accessory and immediately exit the Accessory Window. If you want to toggle and remain in the Accessory Window (for example to change multiple accessories), select the accessory, and then press the Accessory (turnout icon) button to toggle, OR use the "Normal" and "Reverse" (N/On / R/Off) buttons on the 2-dot and 3-dot keys.
- The Accessory button no longer exits to the drive window if an accessory number is selected. Use the "Esc" key to exit back to the drive window.
LCC-related Changes (Do not affect connections over WiThrottle protocol)
- Added an assisted/automatic DCC Address Programming process. This can be found when connected through LCC under: Menu > CV Programming > DCC Address.
- This menu allows one to view the current address(es) of a locomotive on the Programming Track, set a short or long DCC Address, as well as view, set and clear CV19 Consist Address in an automatic and easy-to-use manner.
- Removed an unneeded step after accessing Menu > Settings > Roster Settings.
- Updated Consist Function Routing menus to support the advanced capabilities of LCC consisting in the CS-105.
Bug Fixes
- Fixed an issue where trying to add a new WiFi profile beyond the supported maximum (seven) did not prompt the user that their profiles were full. The throttle appeared to take the 8th WiFi but it would not take/would not work correctly; instead, the throttle now prompts the user before adding a new WiFi, when their profiles are full, to delete a profile before proceeding.
- After locking in (latching) a speed in yard mode on the UWT-100 and UWT-50E, entering and exiting the menu incorrectly changed the display.
- Removed an incorrect and out-of-context message from the built-in website from the Add WiFi box.
Misc Changes
- In the text entry window, added visual clarification between the space and underscore characters. This avoids confusion where entering a WiFi name or password with underscores appearing to be not accepted by the throttle.
- In the text entry window, the most common punctuation characters (dot, minus, underscore and space) now appear on almost all pages when entering text.
- Accelerated (“ballistic”) behavior of the encoder-based thumb wheel is now disabled in menus. This change was made in response to user feedback.
- Removed scanning on WiFi channel 13. This channel is not universally accessible due to regulatory constraints. Use channels 1 to 11 for maximum compatibility.
- Added a "refresh" button to the "About This Throttle" menu. This allows you to periodically refresh the window to update info displayed there. This can help users troubleshoot connectivity issues by having a "live update" on signal strength, SSID, IP, etc.
- Added some new icons to the user interface
Firmware Synchronicity With UWT-50
Going forward, the firmware release numbers between the UWT-50 and UWT-100 throttles are always going to be the same. This means that the same release numbers will have the same features, performance and bug fixes. Most changes made can affect both devices, but there is also the possibility of having new updates which primarily address features or bugs on one device only. TCS' release schedule for firmware updates on the UWT-100 and UWT-50 is scheduled to include updates for both devices in synchronicity. The next firmware version release is scheduled for Q4 2022, but is subject to change based on circumstances such as user feedback, critical bug discovery, etc.