Get Started with your Wi-Fi Model Railroad
How to get Started
WifiTrax now has quite a large range of products and there are many options. We've put together some Getting Started Options to help you plan how to make your Wi-Fi Model Railroad. Alternatively you can start at our Home Page
.On this page you will find notes organized in a click-through manner and many links to product pages and application notes on our website. We hope you find it helpful. Below are some options you can click to get you started
Adding Wi-Fi to a DCC Layout
You can use your DCC Booster for track power.Your DCC Booster provides power to the track including DCC signals. WifiTrax Loco Controllers will ignore the signals and just use the power.
Buy a Wi-Fi Loco Controller Module and install it in one of your locos.You can take one of your DCC locos with a 9-pin connector, remove the DCC decoder and replace with a WMH-20. Here's a Kato GP35 example. There are many other options.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi Router in your house and you know how to find its SSID and Password.
Download the Loco Operator App follow the Quick Start and you're away.
Your DCC locos will run as normal.
Planning a new Wi-Fi Layout in HO
You can use any DC power providing 12-18 Volts DC. Wire it to your track. Our PA15-43-1 4 Amp 15 Volt Power Supply is a good choice. You can use a WAP-80 Power Distribution Board to connect to your track.
Buy a Wi-Fi Loco Controller Module and install it in one of your locos.You can take one of your DCC locos with a 9-pin connector, remove the DCC decoder and replace with a WMH-20. Here's a Kato GP35 example. There are many other options.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi Router in your house and you know how to find its SSID and Password.
Download the Loco Operator App follow the Quick Start and you're away.
YES! You can use Wi-Fi to drive your DC locos on a block-based DC layout
Buy our WUFP-47 Universal Power Block Controller.You can connect its four outputs to your existing four blocks. This module contains two locomotive controllers that act just like controllers installed in a loco. Any locomotive on a block can be controlled by either controller.
Read all about Wi-Fi DC and the "Sunny Valley Railroad" example layout.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi Router in your house and you know how to find its SSID and Password.
Download the Tower Operator App, download the Loco Operator App, follow the Wi-Fi DC Quick Start and you are away.
Controlling Switches
Buy a WFS-46 or WFS-86. Follow the Quick Start Instructions.
WFS-46 Quick Start or
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi Router in your house.
Download the Tower Operator App follow the Quick Start, define your switches, place them on your map, and you're away.
Got more than eight switches - easy, just add more WFS-46 or WFS-86
Controlling Power
Buy a WFP-40. Follow the Quick Start Instructions.
Make sure you have a Wi-Fi Router in your house.
Download the Tower Operator App follow the Quick Start, define your Power Districts.
Got more than four power blocks - easy, just add more WFP-40 modules to your layout.
Loco Controller Installation Options
(1) If you have a DCC Ready Loco with an 8-Pin NMRA Standard socket, you can buy our WMH-20 and a suitable harness. Installation is a simple plug-in.
(2) If you have and Atlas, Athern or similar loco, you may be able to use our WMR-10 Board Replacement Controller. Check the dimensions and geometry before ordering. Follow the Quick Start Instructions. Here's an example.
(3) If you have a loco that does not suit (1) or (2) you can use our WMH-20 with a flying lead harness. You can then solder leads to the track power, motor and lights in your loco. Note: your loco must have an isolated motor.
None of these options good? Check out Wifi DC.