Fastrack switches and SC-2

Position #1 was internally designed to supply power to the SC-2 from the switch. When this was a fresh topic, I cut the trace on the board that would disable that so I could connect a Fastrack switch to position #1. My SC-2 controllers have worked flawlessly in that way. I supply power to the SC-2s with an accessory transformer and also connect the COM terminal from the TMCC base to the SC-2s which seems to enable the controllers to better receive the TMCC signal. I think of them like engines. Wheels on COM and airborne signal from earth ground wire to their internal antennas.

Now with your question, I watched the video, and I see Mike R. disconnecting the internal power supplied from the track and attaching an AUX PWR wire from a transformer to the Fastrack switch without explanation. It all seems to work...I think I see the wall wart supplied with the SC-2 supplying the power. I don't know how or if that negates the warning that the SC-2 position #1 should not be connected to a Fastrack switch. However I do not use AUX PWR for most of my switches. Cutting the trace on the SC-2 may have not been necessary if I did. I never traced out the circuit on the SC-2, but just followed the advice on the forum. Cut the trace and use #1.

I always cut the trace on output #1, that way all the outputs are the same and totally isolated, and I don't have to worry about that ground screwing things up.

Gentlemen,

    It is my understanding that all the new FT switches will be Command Control and unless you are running more than 99 switches, this is not going to matter much anyway.  However if you own the older non command FT switches, running with the SC-2 will still be required.  For me the wireless FasTrack command control switches operated from track power, and controlled by the Cab2, is the way I want to run my FT layout.   However if you already own a lot of the non-Command Control switches that is a different money matter.

PCRR/Dave