DCS/TMCC Lionel Smoke Unit

You should just be able to use the "SMOKE" button ("1" ) on the TMCC engine screen of the DCS Remote, as long as you're using DCS 4.0 or later.

Barry,

My TMCC screen just shows AUX1, AUX2,SPD,MOM, & REL.  Is there a different screen.

Maybe I didn't install it to DCS right.  I read your DCS Companion p.125.  There is nothing in Lionel's manual shows how to turn on smoke, lights or running lights.

Does Lionel have a code list similar to DCS codes?

Barry,

I forgot to mention, that I DCS version 4.3.

The lights and smoke all work in conventional mode. 

The running lights just flicker and headlight is not as bright in DCS.  It could be a signal problem.

Yes.  It shows smoke is On.  I also went to Control and set smoke to MAX.  I tried this many times.

One thing I did notice TMCC is slower to respond to some signals. 

I would like to know if there is a way to reset to factory setup?

You probably need a Cab-1, I don't believe  the DCS remote can duplicate  cab-1s  "set"  button.

Gregg,

Actually, I believe that a DCS Remote with DCS 4.x can perform a Factory Reset of a TMCC engine. As I recall, I've done this a time or two in the past.

Gregg

I reset the engine.  The remote confirmed it was deleted.  But the Remote still shown  it listed  on the engine list.  I re-added the engine.  Unlike DCS the TMCC engine stay at the same location on the list.

I again ran it in conventional and lights and smoke work.

So you feel I need a Cab-1 remote to run the features on TMCC.

Barry,

Could it be poor signal contact from the rails?

 I'm not sure I agree with Barry, and can't really test at the moment but as I said the dcs remote can do just about everything a cab-1 does except the "set".   Can you get your hands on a cab-1 easily?

 DCS  software   may have the "set" built in the TMCC factory reset. I really don't know. It just makes things a little easier if you have back up with a cab-1. good luck.

After naming and giving the TMCC address, TMCC engines add to the remote at the lowest available  DCS ID.  You can't edit that address

Gregg,

DCS  software   may have the "set" built in the TMCC factory reset. 

Yes, it does.

Barry, I'm still somewhat baffled that MTH hasn't provided a way to use the SET button independently.  There are a number of things you need it for other than setting the ID.

John,

I'm still somewhat baffled that MTH hasn't provided a way to use the SET button independently. 

You do understand that it's a DCS Remote, right?  

Barry,

I answered your question on the remote button #1, when you asked the first time.

YES, and it shows I can turn the smoke ON or OFF.  It shows I set the smoke level at MAX on the remote.

It showed I deleted engine and re entered it.

Sorry, missed it.

DCS 4.0 or later would likely resolve your issue, unless the engine is somehow "special".

Barry, I also understand that it's claimed to support TMCC locomotives.  If they're going to claim TMCC compatibility, I would expect them to support a key feature like this one.

John,

Where is your sense of humor?

Well, when I was pressing the non-existent SET key, I lost it.

After some further research, I'm finding that the CAB-1 remote is obsolete.  Is it worth spending the money?  MTH should do a better job of explaining their coexists with TMCC and Legacy.

Good night.  

MTH should do a better job of explaining their coexists with TMCC and Legacy.

What are you talking about?

You can use the "Legacy Lite" BASE1-L with DCS, it's the logical replacement for the old TMCC base, and it's a current product.

I don't have any TMCC engines, but have seen the TMCC engine when you go to add an engine.  so if I were to get a Lionel TMCC engine, I should be able to pull that up on the DCS remote and use the functions on the remote as with the MTH engines? 

or do you still need some base that attaches to the TIU?

thanks

Chris,

or do you still need some base that attaches to the TIU?

Yes, you need a command base and the MTH cable to connect it to the TIU (MTH #50-1032).

This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!

GRJ,

I have the Base 1-L.  Lionel's latest.  It connected just as Barry's DCS Companion 2nd  Edition shows.

Another item with this Engine, it came with a template to go over the screen on a Legacy Cab 2L remote controller

But it can't reset the Lionel code for the engine. AX1  /4 Whatever it is for smoke Aux/8?.  There are quite a few Lionel codes.

What does a DCS  remote factory TMCC reset actually rest?? Yes I'm beating a dead horse.

Gregg,

Yes I'm beating a dead horse.

The horse died. RIP

Barry,

Do I need to buy a Legacy Cab Remote controller to run with my Lionel Base-1L with my DCS system?

You'd be buying a CAB1-L to run with a BASE1-L, not the Legacy remote.

You'll need this if you want to control TMCC switches or accessories, or configure ERR TMCC stuff, you can't do that with the DCS remote.  If you run AC motored locomotives, you can't set the stall speed with the DCS remote either.

GRJ,

The Cab1-L will operate Odyssey system and Legacy Locomotives.

So if I understand you.  Legacy Cab2 remote is basically does the extra features, accessories and switches, etc.  Therefore all I need is Cab1-L will allow me to operate with my DCS remote features, such as smoke and lights of a TMCC engine.

The reason I stated that is the CAB2 doesn't work with the BASE1-L.  The CAB1-L will connect to a Legacy base however.  If you have a BASE1-L, the CAB1-L is the only TMCC remote option.

You can operate Legacy and TMCC locomotives with a CAB1-L, however some of the Legacy features like advanced lighting, etc. won't be available using the CAB1-L.

I added another Lionel Legacy engine to my fleet.  I also bought a Cab1-L and should haves it in a week.  Hopefully that will solve the problem with the Tethered  4-4-2.

This 0-8-0 engine has a wireless draw bar.  I installed a 9v battery and ran it in conventional mode and it barely smokes.  Everything else works.    I tried it in DCS and the Lights come on and a slight noise at start up and that's it.  It will not start up or run in DCS.  I hope with the Base 1L and when the Cab1-L arrives will resolve these issues.  I'm surprised it didn't operate the same as the tethered engine.   They are both Odyssey engines.

In order to comment intelligently on any of these locomotives or their issues, it would really be necessary to know the exact model numbers.  Smoke issues, for instance, vary depending on the smoke unit and how it's driven.

GRJ,

Lionel, NP 4-4-2 Atlantic 6-28071.  Smokes in Conventional & runs fine. No Smoke in Command & Lights flicker. Everything else works.  Suggestion by Forum, (Cab 1-L) needed.

Lionel, NP USRA 0-8-0 Switcher 6-38046. Works in Conventional except very light smoke.  In Command slight buzz on start up when powered up.  There is no start-up  or movement.

The Atlantic has a mechanical smoke unit, so in conventional it's getting full-wave track voltage and in command it's getting half/wave track voltage.  For command, I frequently replace the resistor in those with a 20 or 22 ohm resistor for better operation in command mode.  I don't know why the light would flicker in command and not conventional.  FWIW, I've found with my smaller steamers, including a couple of Atlantic ones, that adding a tether wire between the locomotive and tender to share center track power really improves reliability.

The 0-8-0 has a semi-smart smoke unit with a smoke voltage regulator.

Try this from the CAB1 or CAB1-L.

AUX1, AUX2, 9 H, then AUX2 again to save the setting.  This sets the smoke volume to high.   The L,M,H, buttons are the momentum buttons under the cover, they also select smoke volume.

GRJ,

The ohm resistor.  They are located in the Tender or Engine.  I assume they are on the Boards. 

Your suggestion of a additional tether wires.  Are for the wireless draw-bar switcher.  So I would need a male/female tether from Lionel? 

The smoke resistor is... in the smoke unit!

The single wire tether I speak of is just a wire.  I "roll my own" using male and female machine pin headers, here's the male part, the female part is made exactly the same way, solder the wire to the pin, and heatshrink it.

GRJ,

It just attaches to the engine & tender?

It's not soldered to a pin wire on the engine and tender?

Of course it has to connect to the center rail pickups in each unit, it wouldn't be much help without that.  Yep, you do have to open them up to install this, but it really makes a huge difference with smaller steamers that have issues on switches and crossovers.

I first thought that.  When I looked at the picture, it looked as if the wire end had a screw attached to the tender or engine.

Pin Headers.  Can they be purchased at Radio Shack?  The wire size correlates with the Pin Header.

It's going inside the shell and connecting to the handrail antennas, I didn't try to make the other end of the wire clear as I was just showing the pin connector.

You can make your own small connectors with a variable number of pins using these, I use a lot of them in upgrades.

Here's the Machine Pin Male Headers

Here's the Machine Pin Female Headers