@RSJB18 posted:

I went back to school in 1998, graduated in 2005.... after being a 1980 HS Grad..I feel your pain.

Good luck!

Nope- Flyerchief. It's going well so far.

Thanks

Is Flyerchief available from Lionel as boards or is a "donor" loco required? As I've mentioned previously, I'm looking to upgrade my lighted BEEPs.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Is Flyerchief available from Lionel as boards or is a "donor" loco required? As I've mentioned previously, I'm looking to upgrade my lighted BEEPs.

Search for Flyerchief PCB on the parts site. I'm using a GN GP7 board.

@RSJB18 posted:

Search for Flyerchief PCB on the parts site. I'm using a GN GP7 board.

Great, Bob! Just what I was looking for. Control AND sound. I'm goin' for it!

Bob, I’m still trying to understand what’s required for a Flyerchief transplant.  Assuming the recipient engine has a compatible speaker, lighting and smoke unit, other there any other parts required?  Thanks.

John

@Bill Swatos posted:

Great, Bob! Just what I was looking for. Control AND sound. I'm goin' for it!

Good- we can commiserate......

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bob, I’m still trying to understand what’s required for a Flyerchief transplant.  Assuming the recipient engine has a compatible speaker, lighting and smoke unit, other there any other parts required?  Thanks.

John

John- I'm using a standard BEEP, removing the original board, and replacing it with the FC board. Everything will be added, speaker, new lighting, and electro-couplers (available with FC boards, not LC's).
My goal here is an affordable upgrade for conventional engines. The Lionchief or Flyerchief boards are under $100 ea so it's better than $200 + for the alternatives.

The LC and FC with Bluetooth boards allow for command control and sound, smoke in some cases.  I don't run smoke so I'm not adding smoke units to anything.
However- LC+ 2.0 boards have a feedback sensor on one motor which would be difficult at best to retrofit onto an older engine. They will run with the original remote, universal remote, or apps.

Yes- I could just buy a command control engine but this is more fun. In this case command BEEPs don't exist so......

Bob

@jhz563 posted:

Hi Rob.  Halloween layout doubtful this year.   I have undertaken a quest for a new degree,  and going back to college after a 2.5 decade gap is keeping me rather busy.

Congratulations John!  College will keep any student busy, especially one that hasn't been in school mode for that long.  Are you going to school at night or is it an on-line school?  Good luck and visit us when you can.

@RSJB18 posted:

Good- we can commiserate......

John- I'm using a standard BEEP, removing the original board, and replacing it with the FC board. Everything will be added, speaker, new lighting, and electro-couplers (available with FC boards, not LC's).
My goal here is an affordable upgrade for conventional engines. The Lionchief or Flyerchief boards are under $100 ea so it's better than $200 + for the alternatives.

The LC and FC with Bluetooth boards allow for command control and sound, smoke in some cases.  I don't run smoke so I'm not adding smoke units to anything.
However- LC+ 2.0 boards have a feedback sensor on one motor which would be difficult at best to retrofit onto an older engine. They will run with the original remote, universal remote, or apps.

Yes- I could just buy a command control engine but this is more fun. In this case command BEEPs don't exist so......

Bob

If I can join the class. I would like to put some basic smarts in a Lionel conventional 2-8-2, 6-8309. What would be a good choice. One of these boards, ERR; or Dallee?

Bob, I sent your comments to the MTH tech that would do a FC installation for me.  He said “the engine needs matching plugs and it would help ID what the plugs are for”.  I guess this means I’d need to order Lionel lights, speaker, etc if I had him install a board in a Williams or MTH engine?  Also, do you know if there are any specs for the boards on the Lionel website?  

Thanks again for your help!

John

@jhz563- Hey Mate!  I went back for a Masters at age 38 nearly 20 years post my bachelor's degree.  I had children as you do so I know what a challenge this is.  I wish you all the best and I am sure it will pay off handsomely in the end.  Good Luck!!

Don

@RSJB18, Bob I think you need to add another AKA, "Answer Man" to your signature.

@pennsyfan posted:

If I can join the class. I would like to put some basic smarts in a Lionel conventional 2-8-2, 6-8309. What would be a good choice. One of these boards, ERR; or Dallee?

I haven't done a steamer yet, still cutting my teeth on diesels. Guys like GunrunnerJohn are the real experts on this stuff. ERR would be my choice for a steam engine upgrade. Again, I'm just looking for the basics with these low end diesels.
I considered using Dallee boards but they are just as much money as the Lionchief's, with no command control or sound.

@Steam Crazy posted:

Bob, I sent your comments to the MTH tech that would do a FC installation for me.  He said “the engine needs matching plugs and it would help ID what the plugs are for”.  I guess this means I’d need to order Lionel lights, speaker, etc if I had him install a board in a Williams or MTH engine?  Also, do you know if there are any specs for the boards on the Lionel website?  

Thanks again for your help!

John

The outputs on the boards are labeled. Hard to read some of the markings but they are there. Depending on the board, some of the pictures on the parts support site show the plug outputs. The plugs on these boards are JST-ZH and EH (power in and motor output).

Bob

@RSJB18 posted:

Search for Flyerchief PCB on the parts site. I'm using a GN GP7 board.

Can you let me know the SKU for this board? There appear to be 4 options for LIONCHIEF PCB / FLYERCHIEF / GP-7 / on the parts site. Perhaps any will work as I'm not needing a specific sound file set.

Also, what electrocoupler fits? BEEP couplers appear to be unique to them.

@Bill Swatos posted:

Can you let me know the SKU for this board? There appear to be 4 options for LIONCHIEF PCB / FLYERCHIEF / GP-7 / on the parts site. Perhaps any will work as I'm not needing a specific sound file set.

Also, what electrocoupler fits? BEEP couplers appear to be unique to them.

This is the coupler I'm using based on Pete's method.

<form data-action="submit-form" id="product-details-full-form" method="post">

SKU: cs-6802274550-p

The FC Board is

LIONCHIEF PCB / FLYERCHIEF / GP-7 / 644118

SKU: cs-691ENGM254-p

</form>

Bob, I'm getting ready to order the board above, but I have a few questions first:

1. What are the "J" socket designations for track power in, motor power out, front and rear lighting out and audio out?

2. Will the impedance of a standard "sugar cube" speaker work for this board?

3. Are the sockets all "Molex" standard?

4. Do you wire the motors in series or parallel?

Unfortunately, my coupler mount reinforcements look they will prevent electrocoupler use, at least with what is available now. It is the price I have to pay for the added safety of the reinforcements.