L85383 LCS. Sensor track add on

@Keith L posted:

The 3-foot specification refers to the cable between the sensor and the module with the electronics, and that’s the length of the cable provided.

The PDI cable, which the user provides, between the IRV2 module and other LCS components can be as long as that between any other LCS components.

So...if you used two sensors, they would be within 6 feet of each other? And if you wanted another sensor across the room, you would have to buy another IRV2? I guess when you compare the price to a sensor track, that seems ok, but odd that the module would support 4 sensors...maybe if they were all at the same position of four loops of track.

@cjack posted:

So...if you used two sensors, they would be within 6 feet of each other? And if you wanted another sensor across the room, you would have to buy another IRV2? I guess when you compare the price to a sensor track, that seems ok, but odd that the module would support 4 sensors...maybe if they were all at the same position of four loops of track.

Exactly...

Each IRV2 comes with 2 SLED sensors that each have cables; Each added SLED sensor also has a cable.

See how nicely the SLED fits between the GarGraves track rails.

CORRECTION:  Each IRV2 can support four(4) SLED sensors.

I haven't tried this with a slide shoe automated car; so I dont know how the shoe slides up and around the Sled Sensor.

Just so everyone knows, the cable between the IRV2 module and the sensor sled is not the same as the PDI cables. It has a different number of pins. We had to limit it to a 3' cable due to possible noise issues we encountered in testing. 

This project was also delayed as it took us time to develop a shield solution over the sensor that would block out interference. In the end, this ended up making this product even more robust than the FasTrack SensorTrack. 

If you receive the IRV2 and have questions, feel free to email me. I look forward to people getting these and hearing first impressions.

@Dave Olson posted:

Just so everyone knows, the cable between the IRV2 module and the sensor sled is not the same as the PDI cables. It has a different number of pins. We had to limit it to a 3' cable due to possible noise issues we encountered in testing. 

This project was also delayed as it took us time to develop a shield solution over the sensor that would block out interference. In the end, this ended up making this product even more robust than the FasTrack SensorTrack. 

If you receive the IRV2 and have questions, feel free to email me. I look forward to people getting these and hearing first impressions.

interesting. I was thinking of buying an IRV 2 and mounting it's sensors on Fastrack somehow. It would take quite a bit of surgery, but doable I think. Two sensors for the price of one...probably on adjacent loops. Or II could just use sections of tubular track...but that requires transition Fastrack sections.

I noticed that if I turn up the GRJ track signal booster, some of the sensor tracks cease to play the recorded action in both directions. I installed a "volume" control on the GRJ booster circuit and turned it down until it just allowed all the sensor tracks to work in both directions. Everything works nicely

@cjack posted:

I noticed that if I turn up the GRJ track signal booster, some of the sensor tracks cease to play the recorded action in both directions. I installed a "volume" control on the GRJ booster circuit and turned it down until it just allowed all the sensor tracks to work in both directions. Everything works nicely

Jon Z. pointed this out some time back, that was the genesis of the amplitude adjustment feature.  It also helps minimize interference between the Legacy and DCS signals if you run both systems.  Adrian was the one that did a lot of research on that issue.

@AlanRail posted:

 

Each IRV2 comes with 2 SLED sensors that each have cables; Each added SLED sensor also has a cable.

See how nicely the SLED fits between the GarGraves track rails.

 

CORRECTION:  Each IRV2 can support four(4) SLED sensors.

Hi, AlanHN !

Please, Can you told me what the size of the wire sensor with box IRV2?

Thanks!

@Leandro Garcia posted:

Hi, AlanHN !

Please, Can you told me what the size of the wire sensor with box IRV2?

Thanks!

If you mean the wire between the sensor and the blue module, it’s one (1) meter.

@Keith L posted:

If you mean the wire between the sensor and the blue module, it’s one (1) meter.

Yes ! Thanks !

Just a note to save someone some time...

I found it advantageous to put an inch or so of black electrical tape around the sensor receptacle and the one-meter cable plug.  That way the plug won't wiggle out of the sensor receptacle during or after installation.

I installed the darn things without taking pix ... but it's not too hard to imagine.  

I suggest something other than black electrical tape.  That stuff turns to goo after a few months, I won't let a roll of that anywhere near my trains!

John:

What do you use instead of black electrical tape?

Neal Jeter 

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I suggest something other than black electrical tape.  That stuff turns to goo after a few months, I won't let a roll of that anywhere near my trains!

My experience has been similar - until I started buying more expensive, top-quality black tape. 

No longer do I have the goo mess we (un)fondly remember.  

I use Kapton (polyimide) tape, it doesn't leave a sticky residue, it's very thin and strong. 

John:

Thank you.

Neal Jeter

I just installed a sensor on an O60 curve and it works great.  Only this is that the instructions state that two screws are supposed to be included with the sled cover, however, there wasn’t any.  Anyone else missing some screws?  LOL 

Blake

I've been told more than once I have a screw loose, but it's not missing.

@Blake Morris posted:

I just installed a sensor on an O60 curve and it works great.  Only this is that the instructions state that two screws are supposed to be included with the sled cover, however, there wasn’t any.  Anyone else missing some screws?  LOL 

Blake

No screws anywhere with the four sleds I have.  I used 1 5/8 inch panel tack nails pushed through the sled, Atlas track and roadbed and into the cork beneath.  Holds well.

I'm not allowing myself any "screw" jokes.  

@Blake Morris posted:

I just installed a sensor on an O60 curve and it works great.  Only this is that the instructions state that two screws are supposed to be included with the sled cover, however, there wasn’t any.  Anyone else missing some screws?  LOL 

Blake

The screws were missing with mine, too. I called Lionel last week and they ‘re going to send me the four screws (two for each sensor cover/sled). It may be that at some point in the development/production process, they were just forgotten about.

Something else that seems “amiss” is that the green LED that illuminates for Program is next to the Record button—and vice versa. If this was intentional, it’s counterintuitive and confusing. I expected the LED for each button to be next to the button it’s for—not next to the other button. The instructions are not helpful with this. They just refer to the Program LED and the Record LED, and don’t mention the color. I figured it out by looking at a photo of the original SensorTrack, which showed the green LED next to the Program button and the red LED next to the Record button. I emailed Lionel for an explanation for what seems like an odd setup; am awaiting a reply.

Seems we all got screwed by not getting screws.  I just checked mine and no screws either.  No biggie though.  Haven't tried it yet though.  Kid has a mess under the layout - can't get to the last open LCS connector to hook into.

Jim

I just put together a test circle to make sure the IRV2 works.  I used the eTrain command console software to do a complete recording and playback of the events.   You can see it on my youtube channel.

https://youtu.be/0yOxSooRp8I

Thanks,

Blake

So I called Lionel and they have sent the screws that were not in the kit.  

Blake

What are the screws like... picture? Seems like an unnecessary expense to ship if one can just use ordinary screws. I have some black Atlas track screws. Might be ideal.

Lionel should just proactively send out an equal number of screw sets to everyone and each dealer that ordered either the controller or extra sensor sleds.  Save us all a lot of phone calls.  I see no screws in any of the sets I have opened. 

Also it seems that Lionel did take the suggestion to trim the corners of the sled so it can be used with curved sections of track.  Seems to fit my atlas track fine with curves down to O-54.  I will report on operation on curved sections when I have a chance to install some of them.

@cjack posted:

What are the screws like... picture? Seems like an unnecessary expense to ship if one can just use ordinary screws. I have some black Atlas track screws. Might be ideal.

The Atlas track screws should work - depending on your sub-track bed.

@cjack posted:

What are the screws like... picture? Seems like an unnecessary expense to ship if one can just use ordinary screws. I have some black Atlas track screws. Might be ideal.

@Dave Olson posted:

Just so everyone knows, the cable between the IRV2 module and the sensor sled is not the same as the PDI cables. It has a different number of pins. We had to limit it to a 3' cable due to possible noise issues we encountered in testing. 

This project was also delayed as it took us time to develop a shield solution over the sensor that would block out interference. In the end, this ended up making this product even more robust than the FasTrack SensorTrack. 

If you receive the IRV2 and have questions, feel free to email me. I look forward to people getting these and hearing first impressions.

Don't feel so bad about taking the easy way out with limiting to 3 feet. In the early days of High powered switching powers supply design. We would go through masses of TO3 Mosfet's because of transient issues. When, we hit a roadblock. It was time for the ferrite beads...AKA, Rosary beads!.

I've seen a couple posts about people getting these sled sensors to work on curved sections of track. I've tried it on O72 and O96 but cannot find a placement where it works. Run a loco across it and nothing happens.  Move the sled to a straight section of track and it works as expected.   --what's the secret i seem to be missing?

Make sure you are using the inside part of the track curve for the sled.  The engine sensors are on the engine center line and when you go around a curve the center of the engine moves to the inside of the curve.  On a long engine that may be too far from the sled sensor if it is on outside portion of the curve.

@Blake Morris posted:

Lionel also sent me these screws that were supposed to have been included with the IRV2. I think it was a good idea--although evidently it wound up not happening--to include the screws because this is a screw that many of us--including myself--don't have around.

Do they fit the holes easily? I thought the Atlas track screws would work, but they don’t slide easily thru the holes.

@Keith L posted:

Lionel also sent me these screws that were supposed to have been included with the IRV2. I think it was a good idea--although evidently it wound up not happening--to include the screws because this is a screw that many of us--including myself--don't have around.

Same here!

@cjack posted:

Do they fit the holes easily? I thought the Atlas track screws would work, but they don’t slide easily thru the holes.

They don't drop through, but they go through easily enough.

Yes... like everyone else, I did not receive a set of screws with any of my IRV2's or add-on sleds.  I used Atlas screws. The hole ends up being just the tiniest bit wider than it was, but it makes for a good grip on the sled. I'd rather have that than something that could potentially slide a bit over time if the screws just dropped through the sled slotted holes.