How do I Connect TMCC/Legacy Control to My Accessories and still maintain manual Control?

The Accessory Voltage controller allows you to vary the voltage supplied to an accessory as well as selecting voltage ranges and preset voltages.  If you wish to control multiple accessories, you should use an Accessory Switch Controller (ASC) or the LCS version ASC2.  Since you have a SER2 which interfaces between LCS and the older TMCC modules, you can use the ASC which is less costly than the ASC2.

Each ASC will control up to 8 Accessories, numbered 1-8.  They are simply a set of 8 "on-off" relays controlled by the TMCC or Legacy remote.  To allow concurrent use of your manual pushbuttons, you can connect them in parallel to the relay terminals.   If you are using a common ground wire in multiple accessories, be aware that the relays on the ASC are connected together to the common terminal.

Also note that the ASC can be programmed to power momentarily or constantly.

@NYC 428 posted:

I currently have all my accessories connected conventionally.  I would like to also control them using Legacy/TMCC .  I have a SER2 connected an Accessory Voltage Controller...

Joe,

You've talked about how power is provided generally but not how it's controlled specifically, accessory by accessory.

Do you presently have individual switches to turn them on and off?

Mke

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Joe,

You've talked about how power is provided generally but not how it's controlled specifically, accessory by accessory.

Do you presently have individual switches to turn them on and off?

Mke

Yes, individual switches connected to a power block.

Joe,

Bob has the right idea.  Here's a simplified diagram.  Your existing situation is shown at the top, and what you need to change to is on the bottom.  I've assumed that you want to use TMCC/Legacy for control so you'll need to add a Lionel ASC or ASC2 as Bob has suggested in order to do the new switching, seen below at the right hand of the bottom sketch:

Option 2 works just like a set of three-way switches in the hallway of your home, one at each end, with each one capable of turning your hallway light, positioned in the middle between them, on or off.

Mike

This shows how Bob is recommending you connect your accessory switches in parallel with the ASC output terminals.  

This goes into a little bit more detail. 

https://asktheelectricalguy.co...tches-how-they-work/

The OP asked how to operate his accessories with his existing conventional or addition of remote control.    That is “parallel” operation requiring an “or” configuration.   No place here for 3-way switches.  That is only if you want to turn on the accessory at one location and turn off the accessory at another.    

@Steims posted:

The OP asked how to operate his accessories with his existing conventional or addition of remote control.    That is “parallel” operation requiring an “or” configuration.   No place here for 3-way switches.  That is only if you want to turn on the accessory at one location and turn off the accessory at another.    

I'm glad that you came to this conclusion but I didn't read it the same way.

My suggestion still stands.  Why?  If you want to turn off manually what was previously turned on remotely, or vice versa, your method will not work.  (This situation could easily happen).

Perhaps we should let the OP decide?

Mike

Agree.
If an accessory only needs a momentary switch, my suggestion and Steim’s diagram will work. If a constant on-off is desired, my solution will result in turning on the accessory if either the Asc or the switch are activated. If you need full on-off control at both the ASC and at the switch, you will need the 3-way wiring solution that Mike illustrated.

For the 3-way wiring, I believe that you would configure the ASC for switch (not accessory) control so that it simulates a SPDT relay. I am not sure about that last point.

Mike?

Bob

All this is excellent info.  I'll try these suggestions and see which works best for me.

Thanks All!!

@RRDOC posted:

For the 3-way wiring, I believe that you would configure the ASC for switch (not accessory) control so that it simulates a SPDT relay. I am not sure about that last point.

Mike?

Bob

That's the way I see it.

I'm going to take a more detailed look, just to make sure that the ASC can handle it.

Mike

The ASC is not designed to “toggle” between one terminal and another. It only momentarily closes a terminal to common using AUX1 or sustained closure for AUX2.  That’s regardless of whether you are using in accessory or switch mode.  

The only way to accomplish toggling is to use the ASC to drive a separate relay (SPDT).   The existing manual switches would need to be replaced with SPDT style.  

Seems like a lot of work but the if that’s what you want it is achievable.

The ASC can be configured to switch continuous power rather than momentary power.  See page 23 of the manual. When addressing a device as a switch (not an accessory) , AUX1 activates the Through terminal (1T, 2T etc.) and Aux2 activates the Out terminal (O1, O2 etc.).  See page 25 of the manual.  Even though the relays are SPST, in Switch mode they functionally operate as a SPDT relay since the commons are connected internally and the relays are activated alternately.  So you can use Mike's idea of 3 way wiring this way.

Note that the common AC is switched.  Since all the commons are connected internally in the ASC, any additional accessories controlled in this manner will also need to have commons switched.

It is a bit kludgy, but it will accomplish remote as well as local switch control of a constant on accessory.

Bob

I agree with your design Bob.  You can get 3-way operation from the ASC by using 2 terminals (switch) and programmed for continuous voltage.  No separate relay would be required.  There would be only nuance in that the remote use may not know whether Aux1 (Through) or Aux2 (Out) will turn on or off the accessory because it is dependent upon the position of the manual switch at the time.  As long as that is acceptable then you have a winner.