Latest update:Atlas tmcc sw9 switcher and legacy v1.6 question?

Guys, had an idea. Got back home and tryed loading v1.6 into my old base and remote. Then running all my engines. Everything works fine . The atlas sw9 tmcc switcher works fine now as do all my engines.

The new set with v1.6 I had trouble with ran every engine I have ok except the atlas sw9 switcher engine. How odd. The old base upgraded to v1.6 runs the switcher just fine. The new base with v1.6 does not like the atlas engine. It does not respone to commands and when power is applied takes off like a rocket.

Just had to try one more thing to the new base. I Changed the channel from 2 to 5. Just to see if changing channels made a difference. Same result. Ran all my engines fine except the atlas sw9. Go figure.

Got it working now so I am happy. What is puzzling though is my new 990 base is not able to run this atlas loco. It seems as though the loco is not seeing the tmcc signal. Strange, as the old base with the upgrade to the same v1.6 as the new base runs the atlas engine just fine. Both bases run every engine fine. Just this engine the new base does not like.

Wonder why?

I'd have to consider the strength of the TMCC signal from the new base, perhaps it's marginal.  That has happened a couple of times, I've personally encountered it with a base that I looked at.

You can check that, here's a post by Dale Manquen that details the procedure. 

Measuring the TMCC/Legacy track signal strength

Compare the working base with the non-working one and see if one has better signal strength.

But if only one engine why not change r2lc instead.  More likely that is marginal.

If it works with one base and not the other, clearly there is something different about the base.  I'd attack the source of the issue first, Lionel will fix the base free.

Sadly john the base in question just came back from lionel. They repaced the reciver board. 

Well, that's a bummer!  Time for a return trip.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

If it works with one base and not the other, clearly there is something different about the base.  I'd attack the source of the issue first, Lionel will fix the base free.

True, but that base works with all other engines too.  So base could be in spec but low and r2lc out of spec but close.  G

Guys, forgot to mention that I had a legacy geep 9 on the tracks at the time of the atlas sw9 tmcc test with the new base. The legacy engine worked ok but the headlight was flickering a little. Never thought much about it untill I thought about what john suggested. John I suspect you are spot on here. What your saying makes sense. I talked to someone at lionel and one of the girls who just takes phone calls for coustomer sevice problems suggested I write a detailed email and send to them. Said if need be they would forward it to a tech. So I did just that and tryed to be as descripted as I could like I was hear in my post about the issue and what I tried as a solution. We will see what they recommend when I hear back.

Both remotes as I stated work fine with v1.6 and using my old base upgraded to v1.6. Thought about just leaving the new base as is. Bought this used and hate to spend more money in shipping. Getting close to $250 in cost for it total. I decided might as well have the new base working 100%. Thats why I went the 990 route as to have a second base for a backup and to use on a second layout or the bench when repairing engines if needed. Guess this problem could have come up even if I bought a brand new set. So dont regret buying the 990 set used. Even with shipping it ends up costing less than a brand new one. Plus since I had know way of upgrading my old set. Getting the free set of v1.6 blue moduals from lionel was worth it to me. Guess thats the silver lining in all this. 

My ultimate goal is to have at least 3 cab2 remotes for operators when my layout is complete. I will also take your advice john and get a 993 next when money permites. That way I can safely charge all the remotes without the heat factor. As for now 2 remotes is fine. 

Will let everyone know what the lionel techs suggest when I hear back from them. Hope they think like you john and say its a signal strenth issue. I really belive as you have stated that is the problem.

I just wish lionel could get these reciver boards right in china the first time. Would save us the consumer the shipping time and hassel not to mention the shipping cost to send these sets back. I am sure coustomer service is tired of this problem also. They have enough repairs with other things you figure. Oh well it is what it is right. 

Ok, That does sound like the base.  G

I suggest you do the simple signal strength test I previously linked, that way you can have something concrete to talk to the Lionel techs about.

 Almost forgot about that. Will do that john. Thanks.

As a side note when are going to be open for repairs? I had the blown mth ps3 board issiue. Not in a hurry,just asking! Thanks again.

Got an email back from lionel. They are sending me a ups call tag. Which means they are paying for the shipping. The unit is going back. Kudos to lionel for the free shipping back. When I get it back from round#2 repair I will let everyone interested know what was checked/done and how it fuctions. Got to say even with all the problems. Lionel C.S. has been easy and great to deal with this whole time.

Lionelzwl2012 posted:

 Almost forgot about that. Will do that john. Thanks.

As a side note when are going to be open for repairs? I had the blown mth ps3 board issiue. Not in a hurry,just asking! Thanks again.

You can send it to George (GGG), he'll do right by you.

Will talk to him. thanks john. Marty said he could do it also too at a later date. He told me that he is waiting on ps3 boards that have been back ordered by mth anyway. I will see if g has any boards and what he says. Rather give one of you three the money/buisness as aspposed to some fly by night somebody I do not know. All three of you do outstanging work.