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?

Nick, In that case it may be worth taking the cover off the SB and inspecting the pcb around the Main and Prog socket area just to make sure there are no wire whispers shorting out the pins or contacts. Section 3.1 of the manual has clear instructions on how to open the unit up its very easy, as it says just be careful of the fan. I guess the other option is a warranty replacement. If you go for this option, when you get the replacement unit, first thing to do is power it up without the Main or Prog connections, just the power connection. Then connect the SC as before and see if it works ok. Then try the two wire test on a known good loco. Only then connect it to your track. In that way you can be 100% sure the unit is ok out of the box, any problems from then on must be related to your individual set up. Martin.

Nick, I can confirm that the post from Ron giving the startup sequence is correct. If you have a short circuit then the led on the SmartController (SC) will immediately go from green to red and the green track power led on the SmartBox (SB) will change from steady to rapid blink. Once you remove the short circuit and press the "Stop/II" button on the SC then the SC led should go back to green and the SB track power led should go steady green. Here are a few checks you can do before you send the box back (apologies in advance if you have already tried these) Unplug the "Prog" and "Main" track connectors from the SB, plug in only the power cable and see what happens, does it go through the start up sequence and end up with the Green Status led (right hand one) on steady and the Green Track Power led (left hand one) flashing? If so, power up the SC, open the PIKO app and connect (via WiFi) to the SB. Once connected, on the SB the Blue WiFi status led should be on steady with the Green Status led (right hand one) on steady and the Green Track Power led (left hand one) flashing?. Press the "Stop/II" button on the SC (if you have enabled the "Stop button delay" feature you will have to press and hold the button for >0.5 seconds for it to activate), the red led on the SC should go green and the flashing green Track Power led on the SB should go steady. If you manage to get the system into this (working) state then it suggests it is ok and the problem is a short circuit on either the Main or Prog track connections (because at the moment they are disconnected). If the system is ok to this point then to prove it is working, select a loco on the SC and set the speed to say 10 and the sound to on (if sound enabled). Then connect a couple of wires to the Main track connector and plug it into the SB, then touch the ends of the wires to opposite wheels on the selected (upturned) loco. The loco should start to run and the sound should turn on, if it does then the SC/SB is ok and you need to look further for the problem. If however, with the system set up initially as above (with the Main and Prog connections disconnected) and you still have a red led on the SC and flashing green led on the SB then it looks as if the system is faulty. If the problem only occurs when you connect the track it must be a local short circuit. You say this is not the case because it works ok when you connect the elink and Railmaster, are you sure you are disconnecting everything including the elink, before you connect the SB? Regards the manual, the latest version (as listed by Ron) can be downloaded from this page on the PIKO website - http://www.piko-shop.de/index.php?vw_type=5&vw_name=detail&vw_id=79 Martin.

Thanks to every one who has responded. All very interesting and helpful. Looks like I need to try and adapt the Peco kit to include a manual handle and some form of manual winding gear. Thanks again guys, much appreciated.

I have the Peco LK-55 OO Gauge turntable kit, which I believe is based on a SR prototype and am wondering how it would have been operated. There does not seem to be any means for the loco/works crew to turn it, either manually with a large handle fixed to the deck, by the use of steam from the loco, by an "on deck" winding arrangement or an external connection to a windlass or steam/electric drive or something similar. Also, how would it have been locked into position opposite the entry/exit roads? Anyone know how this type of turntable would have been operated on the real railway? Any help, tips much appreciated - Martin

I see with the latest issue this trend is continuing, so I have cancelled my subscription. But I don't expect BRM will be too worried!

Hi Tom, Welcome to the forum. I have had the PIKO SmartControl for a few months now, but not had a lot of time to "play" with it. However, I am very happy with what I have done so far. It will connect to JMRI and behaves as if it was an ESU ECoS. I have a small OO layout with twin track ovals and a couple of terminus stations (still work in progress) but one of the things I like about the PIKO is the ability to easily select a loco from the list (you don't have to remember loco numbers, you can select them by name) and get it running, then select another and get that running then select a third and get that running. Then the really cool thing is to go back to the first or second loco, just by swiping to it and the speed controller goes to the setting for that loco which it was at when you left it. Watching the rotary control go to this setting on its own is great, and it makes it really easy to have a couple of locos circling the ovals whilst shunting a third in the station and to switch between them at will. A fascia mounted holder/charger would be a great accessory to have. All my locos are sound equipped and I can have four running simultaneously without any problems, so for me the power supply is not a problem. Not a LocoNet user so no experience of this. Have tried ECoS Controller on my Android phone and it works fine, not sure if it is any improvement over the SmartController though. Would like the ability to upload my own loco images. Martin

I notice that several Feature Layout articles in recent issues of BRM no longer have Trackplans; May - Dartley, Mozzerdale, Buttermere Mining Company June - Vopak Terminal July - Duffield, Bluebell Cutting, Up the Junction, Ebridge Mill This is very disappointing because when reading the magazine (I do this digitally) for each Feature Layout article the first thing I do is turn to the Trackplan to get an overall view of the layout and what it comprises. This then makes the text of the article much more meaningful as I can put each item into context of where it is on the layout. I also refer back to the Trackplan again several times whilst reading the article to better understand how the layout features fit together. Can I request that you go back to including a Trackplan with every Feature Layout article please. I guess this is a cost saving activity so that you can include more videos, additional photos and audio content, however whilst these enhancements are nice, I would happily forego some of them if it meant you could always include a Trackplan. Martin.

Hi Lee How are you getting on with the SmartControl? Have you tried connecting it to a PC running JMRI by any chance. Martin.

All, Thanks very much for your replies, very interesting. Perhaps it was not such a silly question as I first thought. Cheers - Martin.

I bet its a silly question to anyone who knows the answer but I dont understand how a coach can be a Left Hand or Right Hand design. What aspect of the coach does the "Hand" refer to?