I’ve read through the forum on some posts regarding MTH DCS and Legacy, but it’s a bit over my head given I’m pretty new at this.
This is my layout. I have
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1 LIONEL LEGACY SD80MAC Conrail powered by a CW 80
1 LIONEL Command controlled Baltimore & Ohio 6-18166 with 6 passenger cars powered by a CW 80
1 LIONEL Command controlled Virginian Rectifier set 6-11934 powered by a 1044 transformer
1 LIONEL conventional postwar 2035 locomotive + tender powered by a CW 40
1 MTH Protosound 1 F-3 AA Disel Baltimore & Ohio 30-21243-1 with 4 passenger cars powerd by a Z- 750
1 MTH Protosound 2 2-6-6-2 Allegheny Chesapeake & Ohio + a lighted caboose powered by a 1033 transformer
As you can see, I’m using 1 transformer for each track and running all in conventional mode and now I realize that’s not the proper way to set it up. I better get a DCS system (MTH 50-1001 DCS Rev L) or maybe a legacy control system as well (Legacy 990?)
I want to get the DCS system first as from the readings I did, DCS seems to be able to control everything? My questions are
What types of power supply do I need to buy for the TIU? or can I just connect all my CW 80 transformers and 1033 & 1044 transformers to the input side of the TIU? Really bulky that way?
I see only 4 outputs on the TIU. As you can see, I have 6 tracks, how do I hook it up to 6 tracks? Do I need to buy 2 TIUs? If so, can 1 DCS remote control 2 Tius?
Do I HAVE to buy the legacy 990 set in order to control the Legacy Conrail?
What about the command controlled sets? Do I just connect the TIUs directly to their tracks and DCS remote will recognize them?
From what you have posted I would suggest getting the Lionel Legacy system first. You have more Lionel that have command control than MTH. Also don’t run your MTH with the CW-80 transformer as it may damage the MTH PS-2 engine if used long term. Most command control can run in conventional but won’t have all the bells and whistles of command control. The last time I checked, prices can vary, the Legacy system was over $250.00. MTH’s DCS command control is near $275.00, and it may not work with Lionel’s command control. Your older Lionel transformers will work with your newer trains, however you will need better circuit protection than the older transformers have, the breakers in most older transformers just protect the transformer and not your trains.
With any command control set-up you need to run power to the command base and then to the track. Sometimes you may need a seperate power supply for the command control base. All engines will need to be added in on the handheld remote unit before being able to work. A newer transformer other then the CW-80 is needed for your MTH trains. With six tracks you may need two TIU units if you want to use MTH’s control, but I would buy Lionel’s Legacy first and see what you can run with that, not sure how many tracks a Legacy unit will handle.
and in terms of Legacy Control, I did some search, all videos I’m seeing is 1 legacy base connect directly to 1 track. How do I connect 1 legacy base to multiple tracks and control different trains?
attaching one wire to all tracks depends on your setup.
for the simple one wire method to all tracks you can simply attach the one wire from the Legacy command base to first transformer and then daisy chain to the other ones but in doing so you will have created what is known as phasing transformers as one so if one common wire is wrong or if a transformers plug is reversed from the rest you will have a problem so easy check is attach a wire from one common post now power up both transformers if you touch the other transformer common post with that wire and get a small spark or no spark all is good if a big spark remove plug from 2nd transformer wall outlet rotate so plug ends are now reversed from the way it was plugged into wall outlet plug it in again and do same test with that wire if now a small or no spark those 2 transformers are now in phase connect that wire to the 2nd transformer and now do same test until all transformers are in phase whew I’m pooped!
a new age awaits you as the advances in modern electronics is amazing what they can do now as to smoke units ringing bells smoke cylinder effect and on and on.
I would suggest the Lionel Legacy command base system as it’s simplistic in wiring using above wiring and phasing of all transformers
conventional engines will run as designed using the legacy cab-2 remote just as you would using the transformers handle and direction buttons
not that I’m knocking DCS it is just a more signal issue system to deal with for a newbie.
as for a breaker a simple in line fuse holder from radio shack put inline with the hot wire with a 10 amp fast blo
for my 4 Lionel tracks. I should use 1 Legacy 990 base and connect to the phasing transformers( I have 4 of them in total). I see the instruction videos here
Each transformer has an inline fuse between it and the track. While operating, all 4 transformers are powered up to the max voltage as Legacy remote will be able to control the speed of every track. Is that correct.
Then in this case, that leaves my to MTH tracks to DCS system or I can just power them as I have now in conventional mode.
Now I have to do some research on how to install “inline fuse”. Do you happen to have any instructions on it? I’ll ask the radio shack guy as well.
Now I have to do some research on how to install “inline fuse”. Do you happen to have any instructions on it? I’ll ask the radio shack guy as well
see below
the inline fuses are easy cut the wire to track so now you have the wire from transformer and the wire connected to the track as 2 separate wires now connect one end of the inline fuse wire to the transformer wire and the other to the wire going to the track.
you now have an inline fuse protecting your trains and your transformer from an electrical short\derailment. if you think about the wiring instructions the name of inline fuse will reveal why we call it that.
Each transformer has an inline fuse between it and the track. While operating, all 4 transformers are powered up to the max voltage as Legacy remote will be able to control the speed of every track. Is that correct.
Yes
Then in this case, that leaves my to MTH tracks to DCS system or I can just power them as I have now in conventional mode.
Yes to either way is correct
happy to help you hope I didn’t confuse you in my first post.
Thanks again CB&Q. I’m going to radio shack today!
[Edit:
Ran to Radio Shack and the guy doesn’t know what I’m talking about and just pointed me to where they stored the fuse holders and looks like they are out of stock. I’m assuming it looks like the one showed here, step 1
Now, after I cut the wire on the fuse holder , when I connect it to the cut wire from the transformer and tracks, can I just use an insulated caps and twist them in there without soldering or will an alligator clamp do?
One last question! I just realized that 1 of the 4 transformers will be operating a conventional train, in that case, how can the legacy command system control it?
I did some reading, it seems like I need either a TPC or a combination of powermaster+power bridge in order for the legacy system to talk to it?
One last question! I just realized that 1 of the 4 transformers will be operating a conventional train, in that case, how can the legacy command system control it?
Answer the legacy will control it as a conventional engine why? because conventional engines dont have the electronics to see that there is a signal present on the 2 outer common rails for engines with command control boards in them to read and acknowledge it’s presence and so stays quiet until you address that command engine.
below is a link that will answer most of your questions.
in reality it is easier to run conventional engines on a separate track it just makes life so much easier!
you can run both but you will spend more time avoiding a rear end crash between the 2 trains and have a less than pleasant experience.
a short intro to a TPC unit it can be setup to run either conventional or command controlled engines.
here goes… first turn power on to legacy base unit after lights stop flashing turn transformers on this doing this is a must as it’s been known to happen engines take off at full speed if both command base and transformers powered up at same time!
now using remote you would push TR and select say #1 then at bottom of remote are 4 buttons one says SET next 3 are L M H if you want to run in command then you push the L button if you want to run in conventional you push the M button.
then on remote on the right is a boost-direction button it also pivots up or down push it up and it will send power through the TPC to the Track for command operation only.
now a steam engine sits there silently now on remote you push the Eng button and look for say you only have one command engine as ID#22 you push button under it to select it then a screen in cente