Martingchapman

Looking to purchase the PL-55 turntable motor. I note that the control box is connected to the motor unit by a ribbon cable. Obviously the ribbon cable restricts the distance that the control box can be mounted from the motor. Also the design of the control box means you have to incorporate it somehow into your layout baseboard or control panel. Has anyone taken the control box apart to see what is in it, is it just the two push buttons and power led or is there some logic in it. Also can the cable can be extended and/or can the push buttons be extended or replaced with separate buttons that could be mounted in a control panel without the control box?

Well done, a great idea. Thanks for taking the time to document and share.

In case anyone is still interested the Windows based V4 of Wagonflow is available from their website, cost £17.00 plus £4.00 postage (supplied on CD)

Yes, well spotted - SmartBox firmware dated 17/05/18 now 4.2.3 also available from http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=5&vw_name=detail&vw_id=79

Just noticed PIKO have released updated App for the SmartControl (the handheld unit), dated 17/05/18 now at V1.1.4. Visit the PIKO website for details and to download here - http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=5&vw_name=detail&vw_id=79

Just noticed PIKO have released updated App for the SmartControl (the handheld unit), dated 20/12/2017 now at V1.1.3. Visit the PIKO website for details and to download here - http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=5&vw_name=detail&vw_id=79

I have had a response from the developer of Wagonflow. They are working on setting up an e-shop so you can purchase and download the program, should be completed by next month. The anticipated cost for V4 (the current Windows version) is £18.00. They are working on V5 and there will be an upgrade path from V4 to V5, but no date or costs for this version yet.

Thanks Paul, PM sent,

Thanks Richie, The revised date on the web page is actually 6th January 2017. I tried the contact link but it just disappeared when I clicked on it, however this was Chrome blocking it, so I tried it in Edge and it opened Gmail with this address "flow@trainflow.co.uk". I have sent them an email asking for an update, if I get a reply I will come back and update this post. Thanks to everyone for their replies.

Recently come across Wagonflow software. It seems it was designed for MS DOS and is in the process of being updated for Windows. There is a website - http://www.wagonflow.co.uk/ - with some information about the program, but the page regards buying Wagonflow says "Information on buying Wagonflow will be available here shortly. Please check back later." Anyone know the current status of this software?

Nick, Thanks for the comprehensive update. One good thing is that the SmarBox did work initially, so not a quality control problem with PIKO. However that does not help you. There must be something with your setup that the the eLink can tolerate but the SmarBox can not. Given the way that the SmartBox failed it does suggest some sort of current overload, but what caused it I cannot guess. I only use the SmartBox to control the locos on my OO layout, I have 12, all are sound equipped and I can have up to 5 running at a time with no problems. I don't have any other connections to the DCC bus, all my point control is analogue using a separate 16v ac supply, capacitor discharge unit and analogue switches. So there is nothing in my setup that could even remotely affect the SmartBox. Thanks for taking the time to update this thread, and good luck if you decide to try another DCC Controller. Martin.

Nick, sorry you have had so much trouble with the SmartBox and surprised you have two units fail in exactly the same way. I have had no end of short circuits on my unit as I have built and run my layout and the SmarBox always recovers with ease. In fact this is one of the strengths of the unit, when you clear the short it reverts back to exactly how it was before the short happened, all the locos go back to running at the same speed/direction they were before the short. I guess you have had enough of it by now, but if not and you can be bothered I would like to know what you did with the second unit when you received it. Did you try it out with a couple of pieces of wire (or spare piece of track) and a known good loco, before connecting to your layout to prove it was ok out of the box. Or did you connect it directly to your layout first and have it fail immediately. If the former then it does seem that PIKO have a quality control problem and they need to sort it out. If the latter then the problem could still be something on your layout, or as you say you are extremely unlucky. Martin.

Nick, Did you get this resolved?

Andy, No threat intended. Simply enquiring if you are watching this post as to date the consensus is track plans are a good thing and I just wanted to know if you were aware of this. Your reply confirms you are, but you stick by your opinion and that's ok as you are perfectly entitled to it (however disappointing that is to me).

Thanks Guys, I was beginning to think it was only me! However, just noticed to date 17 people agree with my original post. One person agrees with Grahame who does not agree with my post, (no offence intended Grahame you are entitled to your opinion) and no one has yet agreed with Andy the RM Editor (who does not agree with my post). Hmmmm................Andy are you watching this thread?