WifiTrax Model Science WFD-27 User manual

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Getting More out of your WFD-27
Once you are happy with simple operation using either iPhone or
Android, you really must consult the full manual for information about
the great features available. For example, you can:
•Use the WFD-27 web pages to set up your locomotive roster so that
you can easily select from them on your iPhone or Android. You’ll
also be able to set each function button to show the correct text for
each locomotive and decoder.
•Use the Home Net option. That way you can connect six cabs and
you can leave you phone or tablet connected to your home network.
When you power up your system, your phone or tablet will connect
much more quickly.
•Use Rail-Mesh Scanning to allow control of other WifiTrax Products
and multiple WFD-27 installations.
•Access the WFD-27 Manual at
http://www.wifitrax.com/manuals/WFD-27/WFD-27-Manual.pdf
More Information
Other resources:
http://www.wifitrax.com/appNotes/howToArticles.html
WifiTrax products are made in Australia using globally-sourced components and
services. Check our website for warranty information.
This product is not a toy. Keep away from children. It is not suitable for use by persons
under 14 years of age.
Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause
cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.
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WFD-27 Getting Started Guide
This document is online at http://www.wifitrax.com/appNotes/quickStart/WFD-
27-Quick-Start.pdf. Please consult the full WFD-27 manual for much more detail
at http://www.wifitrax.com/manuals/WFD-27/WFD-27-Manual.pdf
Package Contents
1 x WFD-27 Module in Static Shielding Bag, this document, mounting Kit
WFD-27 5 Amp Wi-Fi/DCC Trackside
Command Station/Booster
Figure 1. WFD-27 Connections
What does WFD-27 Wi-Fi/DCC Trackside Command
Station/Booster do?
The WFD-27 along with a phone or tablet is a complete 5A Wi-Fi DCC
solution comprising DCC Command Station and Booster. It allows you to
drive locomotives and control accessories fitted with DCC decoders from
phones or tablets via Wi-Fi using one of the recommended apps in Table
1.

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Figure 2. Connections to your layout
You can also use the TCS UWT-100 Universal Wi-Fi Throttle. WFD-27
generates a DCC track encoded signal compatible with NMRA
specifications providing up to 5 Amp continuous current capability.
•You can drive trains and control accessories using a smart phone or
tablet as a hand-held controller provided it has Wi-Fi capability and
you have installed one of our recommended apps in Table 1.
•You can use a Windows or Apple computer, such as a laptop or
desktop, with a recommended app from Table 1 installed.
•WFD-27 provides a Wi-Fi Access Point (Wi-Fi network). Four throttles
at a time can join but you can increase this to six using a “Home Net”
as described in the manual.
•If you have been using an app on your phone to drive trains, via a
computer running JMRI, you can now bypass JMRI and connect your
phone directly to the WFD-27.
You don’t need to install JMRI to use the WFD-27
•
(10)When you want to drive a different loco, tap the button at the top,
115(L) in this example, then on the Select/Release screen, tap
Release before selecting a new loco using a different DCC Address.
You can use the “Recent” checkbox option to avoid typing the DCC
address over and over.
More Tips
Making Wi-Fi Connection Easier: Go back to your Android Setting and
tap the wftrx_WFD27_1_XXXXXXXX_7 Wi-Fi network. Make sure the
Auto Connect option is turned on. On your other Wi-Fi connections
make sure the Auto Connect option is turned off. That way your Android
device will always connect to the module if its powered on.
Auto Connecting in Engine Driver: Tap the “three dots” in the top right
and select Preferences from the menu. Find “Connect Preferences” and
“Auto Connect to First Throttle Server”. Tap the check box to turn it on.
That way Engine Driver will connect to your WFD-27’s WiThrottle Server
whenever it is available.
Avoiding Hang-ups: It’s best to release your loco before powering down
your WFD-27. When you power up again, Engine Driver should
reconnect, but if not, you may have to restart Engine Driver.
Please consult the Engine Driver “About” menu for more information about the
app. It is possible to control more than one locomotive at a time and select
different display appearances and preferences. Consult the website for more
information:
https://enginedriver.mstevetodd.com/
Please note that Engine Driver, has many features that may vary according to the version
that you install. WifiTrax has no control over the features of Engine Driver, but has tested
carefully its operation with our product. If you have trouble working with Engine Driver
and our module, please email us your problem rather than using the Engine Driver
support. The author of Engine Driver is not likely to know details about WifiTrax
products, so please do not expect it. Support email: [email protected] or
check our website

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(8) On the Select/Release Loco screen, check the “DCC Address” option
and type the address of your locomotive either short or long. Tap
Acquire.
(9) The Throttle screen appears again with your DCC address as the
selected loco. Try the function buttons and throttle slider to make
sure your loco responds.
.
Installation Instructions
Mounting: The WFD-27 should be mounted at a fairly central location on
your layout using the mounting kit provided. If you expect to use a
current near to its limit make sure you allow adequate ventilation. Make
sure that no part of the module touches any metal and do not surround
it by metal as this will interfere with the Wi-Fi signal.
Connections: Figure 1 shows the WFD-27 module with its connectors
labelled. On the left in the figure are the connections to the main track
and programming track, connect them as in Figure 2 using wire of
adequate thickness as with any DCC installation.
Power may be provided either using a 12-18 V DC mains adapter (Power
Jack. 2.5mm dia. pin, 5.5mm outer diameter, center positive) or using
the screw connectors on the bottom right. If a mains adapter is used, the
screw terminals may be used as a power output to supply other
modules. If you expect to use the WFD-27 up to its full 5 Amp rating, the
mains adapter must be capable of supplying 5 amps.

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Choosing and Installing your App
App Name
Author
Get From:
System
Advanced
Features
Loco
Operator 3
WifiTrax
Microsoft Store
Google Play Store
Windows 10
Android
YES *
WiThrottle
Beth
Hoffman
Apple Store
Apple IOS
Via web
page.
Engine
Driver
Steve
Todd
Google Play Store
Android
Via web
page.
Train
Throttle
Drew
Hoffman
Microsoft Store
Windows 10
No, Use
browser
Table 1 Recommended Apps that work with the WFD-27
* WifiTrax Loco Operator 3 provides setup for the more advanced features such as Home
Net operation, Rosters and Automatic Function Labels. This configuration may also be
achieved via the web page using WiThrottle, Engine Driver or just a browser at the URL
http://192.168.7.1 once you have connected your computer or tablet to the WFD-27’s
Wi-Fi network.
You need to install an app on your phone, tablet or computer to use the
WFD-27, Table 1 lists some recommended apps. Make your choice from
Table 1 then make sure you are connected to the internet, visit the app
store for your device manufacturer:
Microsoft
Windows
Store:
Apple
App
Store:
Google
Play
Store:
Search for the app by name then download and install the app.
Getting Started with WiThrottle on Apple IOS
There is a much more detailed description in the manual:
http://www.wifitrax.com/manuals/WFD-27/WFD-27-Manual.pdf
(1) Before opening the app, make sure your WFD-27 is properly
connected, power is turned on and there is a locomotive on the
track with a known DCC address.
(5) Open the Engine Driver app on your Android phone or tablet, go
through its setup accepting all the defaults and allowing the
privileges it requests.
(6) After setup, you should see the “Connect to Server” page with your
WFD-27 listed as a “Discovered Server”. The WFD-27 acts as a
WiThrottle server, similar to JMRI. Tap on it to connect.
If for some reason it is not discovered, you must type the IP Address
of the WFD-27 unit, always 192.168.7.1 in the “Server Address” box
at the top-left and the port value of 12090 in the port textbox, then
tap the “Connect” button.
(7) The Throttle screen should appear –ready to select a loco and drive.
Tap the Select button.

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Getting Started with Engine Driver on Android
(1) Make sure the WFD-27 is connected, power is turned on and there is
a locomotive on the track with a DCC address that you know.
(2) Press the Home button and tap the settings icon on your Android
phone or tablet:
(3) Find the Wi-Fi option. On Android 7, you tap Connections on the left,
then Wi-Fi on the right.
(4) You see a list of available Wi-Fi Connections on the right. Look for
one like wftrx_WFD27_1_XXXXXXXX_7, where XXXXXXXX is the serial
number of your unit that appears on its label. Tap on that –no
password is required –and wait for it to connect.
Tap the Settings icon on your iPhone or iPad, etc.
(2) Tap Wi-Fi on the left-hand menu. Under CHOOSE A NETWORK on
the right, the list should include one like
wftrx_WFD27_1_XXXXXXXX_7, where XXXXXXXX is the serial number
of your unit that appears on its label. Tap that Wi-Fi Network. You
must always connect to this Network otherwise WiThrottle will not
see the WFD-27.
(3) No password is required and after a few moments you should see
that it has connected.
(4) Open the WiThrottle app. This app has some tabs at the bottom to
select screens:

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(5) You should see the connection screen headed by
“wftrx_WFD27__1_XXXXXXXX_7”. If not, tap the Settings tab at the
bottom right, then Server Configuration at the middle left, then
Current Server at the top right.
(6) The WFD-27 is a WiThrottle Server. It should appear in the
AVAILABLE WITHROTTLE SERVERS section, identified by its serial
number SNXXXXXXXX. If it is visible, tap it and continue at (9).
(7) If for some reason it does not appear, Set Server Manually. Tap
“Search for Wi-Fi Modules”. The IP Address and port are pre-entered
as 192.168.7.1 and 12090, so just tap “Connect”.
(8) Now tap the Address tab at the bottom to show the Address screen.
Tap Keypad at the top-left, type the DCC address of the locomotive
that you wish to drive and tap the Set button.
(9) Tap the Throttle tab at the bottom-left of the screen and you can
begin driving.
.
More Tips
Making Wi-Fi Connection Easier: Go back to your Apple Settings and tap
the wftrx_WFD27_1_XXXXXXXX_7 Wi-Fi network. Make sure the Auto
Join option is turned on. On your other Wi-Fi connections make sure the
Auto Join option is turned off. That way your Apple device will always
connect to the module if its powered on.
Auto Connecting in WiThrottle: Tap the “Settings”tab at the bottom
right, then “Server Configuration” on the left, then turn on “Use
automatic network configuration”. That way WiThrottle will connect to
your WFD-27’s WiThrottle Server whenever it is available.
Avoiding Hang-ups: It’s best to release the loco before powering down
your WFD-27. When you power up again, WiThrottle should reconnect,
but you may be asked, on a pop-up, to select the
wftrx_WFD27_1_XXXXXXXX _7 network again. If WiThrottle does not
reconnect, you may have to restart it by going back to the Home screen
and tapping its icon.
You can kill an app completely in Apple IOS by swiping up from the
bottom of the home screen to show the switcher screen, then swiping
its icon off the screen. Then you can restart it from the home screen.
Please consult the WiThrottle manual for more information and tips:
https://www.withrottle.com/html/manual.html
Please note that WiThrottle, has many features that may vary according to the version
that you install. WifiTrax has no control over the features of WiThrottle, but has tested
carefully its operation with our product. If you have trouble working with WiThrottle and
our module, please email us your problem rather than using the WiThrottle support.
WiThrottle support people do not know details of WifiTrax products, so please do not
expect it. Support email: [email protected] or check our website