Help - Please Command Control 072 Switch

While it is certainly possible that the replacement switch is also defective, is it very unlikely.

When you press the setup button on the switch does the led flash?  When you program it with the 990 does the led stop flashing after you press SET?

Just FYI, you can program 2, or more, switches to change together.  This comes in handy when you have a crossover.  Just press the setup button on the 2 switches then, on the 990, pick a switch number and press SET.

Good luck.  Let us know how you make out.

Did you try programming it as a different number, just as a test?  Several years back, I had some corruption in the Legacy base database and one specific engine number couldn't be used, it would never take the programming.  After I went in with the LSU (Legacy System Utility), I was able to get the specific engine number to program again.

Dan:

When in the layout the light will flash sometimes when I press the set up button.  Most times it does not.  But when it does flash and I go through the programming sequences' it will stop flashing and may or may not work one time.  Very frustrating

 Gununner:

No I have not tried to program it a different number, but I will.  

Gentlemen,

   FasTrack Command Control switches are great, however they do have one problem and it's is really not Lionels fault.  UNfortunately not every switch is checked as it is produced, every so many produced have bad sending/receiving units, they actually come in defective from the manufacturer over seas.  The only way to stop this from happening is for Lionel to actually run each individual switch and weed out the bad units, of course this would tripple the cost of each individual switch.  

It is possible he got 2 bad sending/receiving units, it could happen.  Send the switch back again, ask Lionel to operate the new switch prior to sending it to you, to make sure you are getting a good switch.  

PCRR/Dave

Purchased 3 bad ones from 2 different companies one time.  Lionel replaced everyone for me.

Earth ground wire. 

I have a large TMCC layout  some of my engines had certain spots that precipated erradic running. 

I learned on this forum that running a wire connected at one end and run under the tracks and between two elevated sections would help reception. As you describe that the "location" on your layout of the switch seems to be a cause of the problem, maybe an earth ground, not a transformer ground migh help. 

The earth ground wire should be attached to a pipe or conduit from an outlet and run under that switch. Leave the other end not attached to anything. 

Hope this will help. 

Harry

Thanks for the advice, I will give it a try.  It is really getting me to the place that I will just take it out and try somethings else.

Thanks Dave

I considered call Lionel again but was not sure if they would do anything for me a second time.  I will give it a try of all else fails.  Like your layout you sent.

Hi,

We have a similar thread we started just a few days ago.  Our layout is 6’ x 36’.   We have two that we have not been able to get to work at all.  We do have several others that were having similar issues.  Lionel service suggested moving the antenna as they did for you.  That helped on some, but we ended up bringing the antenna (the brown wire) out through the opening for the switch controller on the side that is closest to where it attaches.  That has seemed to help on all of the others (some O72 and some O48).

Hope this helps.

Hubert & Marti

Thanks I am still experiencing trouble with the switch.  Now to give an added twist, one of the other 3 switches quit working last night.  I don't think it would really irritate me as much if it wasn't 8 feet in the air.  My layout is 12 inches from my ceiling so whenever I have a problem I have to get out my ladder and trace it down.  My problem though and the price I paid to have a railroad.  BUT when it is running it is GREAT.  What can I say.

Again, thanks for your advice.

Zag