How to convert fastrack switch to Command Control

I do not know about the fast track switches using a driver board, but can these not be operated using the Lionel SC-2 switch controller? I have used these controllers on my Flyer layout and they are pretty simple to hook up.

Ray

Hi, I have a command control )-72 fastrack switch with a TMCC board that doesn't work. I tried getting the part from Lionel but they won't sell it to me but they will repair it (however the cost of repair and shipping is as much as I paid for the switch) but it was cheaper to buy a new one. So I am not sure they will sell the part to upgrade regular remote switches. If they do I would be very interested in the cost so I can fix my dead CC switch

rgross,

   You are absolutely correct about not being able to purchase the part your self, however I would contact GGG or Guns to see if they might be able to purchase the part

for you as a Lionel Repair Tech.    The parts still might be as expensive as purchasing a new FT CC switch, when Charlie N has them on sale each February however.

PCRR/Dave

Yes you can control the switches with a SC-2, but my layout is on the living room floor and I need to eliminate surface wiring from the switches to the SC-2.

Thanks for the info Dave !!

Rick,

   Any time sir.

PCRR/Dave

  After checking out the Motor Driver board of the non TMCC switch, I have concluded that the board is NOT suitable for directly converting Non TMCC switches to TMCC switches by just adding a connecting cable between the new Radio PCB and the old Motor Driver PCB. The reason is that the Radio PCB gets its power from the new modified Motor Driver board and requires +5V and the old Motor Driver PCB of the NON TMCC switch (part number 691-TRC3-F ) outputs track 3rd rail voltage and NOT the +5 volts that the TMCC Radio board requires. Using it without an external +5V regulator would damage the Radio board of the TMCC Switch.

  I have successfully converted my Non TMCC switch to Command Control by installing a Radio board, new Motor Driver board, push button switch, and making up a connecting cable from the Radio board to the Motor driver board. It functions perfectly.  Now wither or not this is COST effective to make the conversion is yet to be determined, but it was a fun project and proven doable.       

Hi GeoK, would you mind sharing where you got the radio board? Since my switch works fine every other way I am thinking if I can replace it inexpensively that might be a way to go? Thanks for any info

Rick

Pine Creek Railroad Dave said "You are absolutely correct about not being able to purchase the part yourself."

Rick,

I got my Radio board from an authorized Lionel repair place.  Let me check to see if they want any non local business. I get the impression that Lionel service policies are fussy and territorial.  I would hate to cause my very nice service person any grief because of what Pine Creek Railroad Dave said.

George

 Thanks George very much appreciated

COST ANALYSIS:

Lionel part # 691FTSWB01 PCB / Receiver / Fastrack Switch / TMCC  $18.60
Lionel part # 691TRC4A01 PCB / Motor Driver / Fastrack Switch / TMCC $23.00

Lionel S/H   $9.00 to Maryland.
E-Bay part # JST 2.0 PH8-Pin ( Female connector with leads + unneeded male connector)  10 for $8.99
E-Bay part # JST 1.5 ZH 5 Pin ( Female connector with leads + unneeded male connector)  10 for $6.49 [JST 1.5 ZH 6 PIN if converting using old Motor Driver PCB]
E-Bay S/H included free.
Digikey.com part # 679-2386-1-ND Switch Tactile SPST-NO  $0.71
Digikey.com S/H $2.86 to Maryland.
Heat Shrinkable tubing and lead free solder.
5 minute Epoxy (To install the push button programing switch).

So, about $70 to do ONE switch plus cost of heat shrinkable tubing, epoxy, and solder.
I did FOUR switches for about $49 each plus the cost of heat shrinkable tubing, epoxy, and solder.
You save money on Lionel S/H and the JST connectors buy doing more than one switch.  But......read on to the end of this thread.  The price is going down WAY down.

I'm confused if the two boards cost $41.60 for one switch how you converted four for $49, can you do the math for me?

You missed the EACH after the $49

If I did the engineering, so as to use the old Motor Driver PCB, I could drive the cost down about another $15/switch or more, but I was lazy.

You're right, I skipped over that word.  Given that, I think I'd just buy the factory command boards and sell my old ones used.

ElectricRR will soon offer a command control upgrade for the non-command control remote switches.  We expect to have these in stock in a few months.

Very cool Jon, that's a great idea!   Any "sneak peek" of what it will look like and cost? 

It will be the same radio as sold in the command switches with a 5v power supply addition.  It will fit in the same mounting slot under the switch and plug right into the TRC3 PCB.  Easy, simple, upgrade.  Soon as we have the boards in stock, we will post instructions.

jon,

    Great upgrade, will they be available to the general public, or will this availability just be for the Lionel repair Techs?

PCRR/Dave

Sounds like a great idea, I have a bunch of switches I'd like to upgrade.

ElectricRR will soon offer a command control upgrade for the non-command control remote switches.  We expect to have these in stock in a few months.

Now I wonder where ElectricRR got that idea?

This was planned for over a year.  We had to design a new PCB, write instructions, and wait for the board to be manufactured.  The PC boards are due in next month (4 -5 month lead times).

Probably from the fact that there are switches without command control out there.

You guys are always thinking!   I await the sensor equipped boxcar or caboose next!

If you had waited a couple months, you could have done the job for less.

That remains to be seen . But it will certainly be a smooth install process.

Chuck, if this upgrade costs $50 or more, it'll probably not be cost effective for many folks.  In that case I'd just sell the Fastrack remote switches and pick up the command versions.

Obviously, I can't speak for ERR, but I don't see the sense in this upgrade if it's not cost effective.

Guns,

   I agree if the upgrade to the switches cost $50.00 and you can get a new FT CC on sale for $65.00, better to just purchase a new FT CC switch, and sell the manual & controller.

However if you have 072 switches thru out your layout or anything larger than an 048 for that matter, and the cheapest you can get them is for around $86.00, now that is a different matter.  Saving $35.00 on each switch, on a layout with 20 or 30 switches, is serious money.

PCRR/Dave 

And you get to sell some SC-2s.

Wonder what the transmitter sends...code about the engine, name, number, etc.? When the track responds to any engine, does it look for a specific word? What would it take to just transmit that?

The IR transmitter has basically what the orange module has.  If you run the locomotive over the sensor, it fills in the road name, number, etc.

It transmits a ***LOT*** more information than the orange module has!

- Diagnostic data

- labor

- speed

- lashup position

- direction of travel

- crude odometer

- runtime on loco

- road name

- road number

- touch screen info

- speed limit

- EOT indication

- and more!

Thanks for the clarification.  I did know there was more, I should have been more specific.

This was planned for over a year.  We had to design a new PCB, write instructions, and wait for the board to be manufactured.  The PC boards are due in next month (4 -5 month lead times).

 Why design a new PCB?  The existing Motor Driver board was obviously designed by Lionel to both take a switch command, coming from the Radio board, and output track voltage to a Radio PCB. The cost should be under $5 to add the external 5V regulator necessary to drop that track voltage from the old Motor Driver PCB, to the +5V necessary for the new Radio PCB.  That would save $23-$5=$18  by not having to buy a new Motor Driver board.  This drives the cost down to $31 per switch, to do 4 switches, or $27 per switch to do 10 Switches.

I'll bet there was a reason.  Why did you have to buy the motor driver board if they didn't need to make a new one?

Well at first I was wondering just what had to be transmitted to be seen...and maybe start a program.

I guessed that was just to duplicate the CC switch without knowledge of what was missing on the motor drive board. But with the info Jon provided, it sounds like the 5vdc was all that was missing...TRC3 to TRC4. Although...seems like there is one, maybe just not in the right place.

I'm guessing we'll see what the board consists of when it's revealed.

No fun...