Accessory Switch Controller Discontinued?

Sinclair, it has been replaced by the LCS ASC2.

Okay, I didn't see it in the catalog or on the shop Lionel site.  I just read through the manual,and it doesn't list anything for powering block like the TMCC ASC does.  Was this function removed?  Also, it says not to connect the U port of the ASC2 to the outside rail of the track.  I was going to use a ZW-C for all power, and all the U ports on it are connected together.  Does this mean I will have to get an additional transformer to power the ASC2s if I use them?

sinclair posted:

Okay, I didn't see it in the catalog or on the shop Lionel site.  I just read through the manual,and it doesn't list anything for powering block like the TMCC ASC does.  Was this function removed?  Also, it says not to connect the U port of the ASC2 to the outside rail of the track.  I was going to use a ZW-C for all power, and all the U ports on it are connected together.  Does this mean I will have to get an additional transformer to power the ASC2s if I use them?

Sinclair

Try this link for all the info you need.  It lists all the LCS components and what they do.

Only there is no info there to answer my questions:

Can the ASC2 be used to power blocks like the TMCC ASC could?  I know there is a BPC2, but it's limited in scope while the ASC2 has more usefulness if it can power blocks too.

If I use the ZW-C to power my track, can I use it to power the ASC2?  The ASC2 manual says not to tie the U terminal of the ASC2 to track common, but the ZW-C does that internally, is this an issue?

They're basically the same device. One offers a single pole double throw (ASC2) and the other a single pole single throw (BPC2) relay. Both are rated at 20amps I believe. Without diving into the manual I suspect there are some programming differences that might give different operational results. 

You could look at the lighting examples in the ASC2 manual and imagine a track power block connected instead. But, here are a couple advantages of the BPC2 for track power blocks:

The BPC2 responses to TRACK addresses, which is consistent with other track-power controlling devices (although it can also be set to work with ACCessory addressing). The BPC2 also works in conjunction with Lionel’s LCS iPad app to provide clearer display of track power status by visibly dimming sections of track that are switched off.

On the other hand, The ASC2 can be set either to ACCessory or Switch addressing and can handle switches and uncoupling track sections. So as Marty says, depending on how you want it to behave operationally, one or the other (or both) might work best for your application.

Finally, an external accessory transformer is specified for BPC2 and ASC2 because their relays want to see a relatively narrow range of power (12-14 VAC).

Thanks all for the information.  Time to sit down and make a final plan for wiring and control.