DCS to run Legacy

Bruce,

The first Y cable to use should be the one that came with the Legacy base itself. The throat of the Y connects to the Legacy command base. The serial end of the Y connects to the SER2 and the TMCC end connects to the  other TMCC equipment, e.g., theTMCC command base and the BPCs.

Can you provide a wiring diagram for the club's setup?

The TPCs will most likely require its own SER2 or connect it to the screw terminals on the current SER2. They will not work with a Y cable. 

Barry - Martye.  Male end of Y to Legacy base. One end of 2 female to club Track Power Controllers.  The 2 TPC are daisy chained together. The second end of the Y to the SER2.  Martye could you explain why the Y does not work.  The Ser2 is mine and I would like a easy - fast way to add it to the club layout for shows.  Would using the Y cable that comes with the Legacy system be of use like Barry suggested work?  Thanks Bruce

Nope. The one end is for the TMCC base only, the other end is for the serial devices.  As soon as you introduce the LCS 9 Pin and power supply for the PDI network on the serial portion of the Y to connect the SER2 you must use a SER2 for the TPCs or any other serial device such as the Z1000s. 

The drawing below shows the setup minus the Y cable  also the SER2 will not connect a PC to the Legacy Base even though it is shown  

Bruce,

One end of 2 female to club Track Power Controllers.  The 2 TPC are daisy chained together. The second end of the Y to the SER2.  Martye could you explain why the Y does not work. 

in addition to what Marty stated above, the two branches of the Lionel Y cable are different. If connected incorrectly, it's likely that nothing connected to either branch will work correctly.

Barry I am using a generic DB9 " Y " cable not the Lionel supplied one.  I will try the Lionel cable.  Thanks Bruce

Barry Martye I just set up like Barry suggested using the Legacy Y cable.  The Serial port end went to the TPC's and the TMCC Base went to the SER2.  EVERYTHING works!!  The only added part required is a thin DB9 female to female adapter and some #4-40 6mm nuts as both the Legacy cable TMCC end and the SER2 starter cable have male ends and screw attachment.  Thanks for your help in making the public and myself happy.  If you can catch me at York I will buy you both a drink.  Bruce

I would check that you are actually getting Legacy control (ie variable whistle, 200 speed steps, etc) and just not TMCC commands via the SER2 using the TMCC side of the Y cable.  If so interesting.  It was my understanding that the TMCC Base side was only for using a TMCC base on that connection and would not work for the LCS network.  If it does work full Legacy I learned something new.

Just as a side note, the SER2 does have a better drive output for the TPC and other serial devices than directly from the Legacy base. If you get too many devices off the Legacy base you may notice an issue. If you start having serial issues it maybe something to be aware of.

Martye I just got excited that I got the TPC to work that I did not have time to check the Legacy operation.  You were correct that the Legacy did not work.  I took you advice and ran the com and dat wires out of the screw terminals of the SER2 box to a DB9 connector.  Since this is my system I set it up to be plug and play with the Ford Model Railroad Club set up.  I now disconnect the DB9 hard shell from the Legacy base, plug in the SER2 starter cable DB9 to the legacy base, and connect the DB9 hard shell, that goes to the com-dat hooked up the the SER2, to the DB9 hard shell going to the 2 Track Power Controllers.  I checked both TPC's on the club board and my TPC at home.  The only problem I am having is that when I switch TPC's around the TPOC's have blinking lights but do not turn the power on -off.  If I pull the power to the Legacy base all is restored.  Thanks Bruce