IRV2 - so far, so good

"Also, I wish the cables between the IR sleds and the blue module could be longer than three feet. Perhaps I'll try making one and see how it works."

Dave from Lionel has said that cables longer than one meter gathered interference.

Try it.  Let us know how it turns out.  

My IRV2s  are working well at one meter.

1 year later and an update on using the IRV2 system...

Although I haven't done much sophisticated with the SensorTrack to date, I've had 4 sleds (1 complete IRV2 box) on a layout with custom cut lines greater than 3 ft (~10ft max lengths) and they have performed well.

One problem area discovered involved installation on a curved section (072 curves; actually all 4 are on curves).  The sled covers hold the whole sensor in place and the cover on one sled cracked on one edge (wheel impact).  The result was the sensor slipping out of place and having even more wheel impacts.  For the one instance of a cracked cover, I believe I may have over-tightened the screws to hold it place and that may have put undo stress on an otherwise capable cover.  Due to its position between the rails, this somewhat delicate part is not incredibly resilient against wheel strikes so use care if application involves a curve.

I have them in a box, and I'll be installing them after I get the basic layout running.  I'm planning on installing on straight track.  I was thinking of installing a couple on the turntable lead tracks to capture the engine information as they left the TT.

I run tubular.  The width of the IRV2 sensor cable socket demands that I bend (quick hack) or grind away the bottom flange of the rail.  The nature of the cable connection dropping straight down precludes use of these sensors on a carpet central layout unless the track is elevated from the floor.

Other than the first IRV2 I received being defective (the LCS box, as the sensors appear to work on another box), the system works as promised.  I will be replacing the plastic sensors on my modules with the IRV2s.  Three main lines with sensors and only one LCS box to hookup to the PDI cables is a plus.  I'll reuse the plastic sensors on carpet central layouts.

One thing to consider is assigning sensor addresses.  There are four sensor ports on the LCS box.  Once a sensor address is assigned, the firmware retains the address to the port in that box.  On my testing ToDo list is determine how to clear the address assignment and move the sensor (and address) to another box.