Bluetooth disconnect

I don't know what other legacy engines you are comparing it to but this one - being a 21 product code, uses LCP2 (Lionchief Plus 2.0) all in one control board system- but with legacy firmware. So as such, that's likely the difference in the electronics, previous bluetooth implementation was an external bluetooth module typically plugged into the RCMC, but all that changed with the new common electronics platform.

You either need to contact Lionel, or this is just a limitation of the bluetooth chipset.

There is literally nothing a mere user can do. You cannot even order a board https://www.lionelsupport.com/LCP2-REV-B-LCM5-SW-8

Run it with TMCC or Legacy, no more disconnections.  I don't run any of the BT equipped stuff with BT, too unreliable.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Run it with TMCC or Legacy, no more disconnections.  I don't run any of the BT equipped stuff with BT, too unreliable.

John, I wish I could. I started my Legacy collection late and awaiting the Base 3 preorder arrival. I’m not a fan of Bluetooth either, but I have no choice. My question was why just that one. I have a Legacy SD45 2233112, 2-8-0 Consolidation custom run 2231650 and another SW8 Strasburg 2133640 which all run without disconnecting for now. Does it have to do with what @Vernon Barry mentioned about the control board? If it’s an issue with just Bluetooth, will it run property with the Base 3?

Thanks, Gene

A couple of other ideas worth considering.  Try using the LionChief app on another smart device just in case this locomotive is sensitive to weaker or inconsistent signals than the other locos.   Seems unlikely but worth a try perhaps.  Another thing to consider is the Universal Remote. Inexpensive and reliable using the LionChief protocols for recent Legacy locos that have Bluetooth.  If you have older non-Bluetooth Legacy locos, this won't work for those, unfortunately.

@Landsteiner posted:

A couple of other ideas worth considering.  Try using the LionChief app on another smart device just in case this locomotive is sensitive to weaker or inconsistent signals than the other locos.   Seems unlikely but worth a try perhaps.  Another thing to consider is the Universal Remote. Inexpensive and reliable using the LionChief protocols for recent Legacy locos that have Bluetooth.  If you have older non-Bluetooth Legacy locos, this won't work for those, unfortunately.

I have a universal remote also, it does the same thing. Doesn’t the universal remote work on Bluetooth technology? I’ll try using another device like you mentioned.

Thanks, Gene

The current Universal Remote contains both the earlier LionChief radio frequency system (for non-Bluetooth LionChief locos) and Bluetooth, as I understand it.  But perhaps I've misunderstood the history here, the technology, or both .

Good luck getting this resolved.  Sounds like it's the loco, unfortunately, and hopefully still under warranty.  As suggested, the only fix may be through Lionel or a competent repair facility.

I have eight or nine BT equipped locomotives, both Legacy and LC+ 2.0.  All have range issues to varying degrees, and none will keep a reliable Bluetooth connection from 30 feet away.  Given that fact, I suspect it's just the nature of the beast.  If I'm standing in front of my freight yard, it's about 30-35 feet to the workshop end of the layout, none of the BT engines will maintain a connection with any BT device reliably at that end from where I stand.  I've tried the universal remote, the iPad, two different Android phones, all the same issues.

IMO, there is no fix for this other than a redesign of the BT module.  FWIW, my newer Galaxy S21 5G has the longer range BT 5.0, but without a better BT module in the engine, it's pointless.  Yes, I now that there are a handful of new engines with the better BT module, that doesn't fix all the existing stuff with the lousy performance!

The one engine that has good range with BT from my Galaxy phone is the ES44AC that came with the new UP Rocket Train, obviously it has the new longer range BT module.  I can even go outside and run that one through the window to the train room with the phone.  However, that one has the lousy range with the Universal Remote, the iPad, and the older Android phone, they don't have the matching long range BT capability.

@gunrunnerjohn Thanks John for your input. I just had a 40 minute run session with the loco on my latest generation iPad Air, it never disconnected. As suggested, maybe this unit just needs a stronger Bluetooth transmission.

Bluetooth connections are made at the lowest common denominator.  That means if you have a BT 4.0 device and a BT 5.2 device, they'll connect at a BT 4.0 level.