L85383 LCS. Sensor track add on

Severn posted:

maybe i going into the "duh" category.  the sensor track is facing the train/engine in this scenario.  it's not located in the rail track itself.

I'm going to say he's not talking about the sensor track.

The smart IR sensor is a separate item and is not part of the sensor track.

The smart sensor is at the left hand side of the spur line in the attached picture.

OK, I'm really confused now.  Isn't this thread about the Sensor Track add-on's.  These are thin flat items mounted between the rails on track like Ross, etc.  The add on  work in combination with IR sensors mounted in Legacy engines and/or the Sensor Track Boxcar.  Please point me in the right direction.  Thanks.

BOB WALKER posted:

An earlier post asked if the smart sensor could calculate distance to an engine. The sensor outputs a DC voltage which is inversely proportional to the distance from the sensed object. I measured this and found it to be quite accurate from 2 feet down to zero. This function can be used to animate and control accessories as a train approaches, but can also indicate where the train is positioned.

I think the thread took a turn about here. Bob was not talking about the sensor track, but IR in general I think.

Is it this?

http://www.lionel.com/products...-controller-6-14111/

My SER2 just arrived.  While I had another use for it, perhaps one could jury-rig a connection from the above to send a packet onto the LCS bus though the SER2 also.

Does anyone know what the included cable length will be between the sensor sled and the IRV2 ?

MichRR714 posted:

Does anyone know what the included cable length will be between the sensor sled and the IRV2 ?

From April's Legacy Users group originally they were to be approx 2'-3' but they've added some shielding that would hopefully add some length to that. 

Thanks Marty.

Hi, Guys !

I just read this topic and I really interested to put in my new layout !
So I searched the product but he still in backorder? This is same?

Thanks,

According to TrainWorld, not until the end of the year.

Charles Ro is a little more optimistic.

Anyone seen the Lionel 6-85296 LCS SensorTrack 2 (IRV2) yet?  This has been "coming" for a couple of years, if it doesn't ship soon it'll be obsolete.  Every time the delivery date gets close Lionel moves the goalposts!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Anyone seen the Lionel 6-85296 LCS SensorTrack 2 (IRV2) yet?  This has been "coming" for a couple of years, if it doesn't ship soon it'll be obsolete.  Every time the delivery date gets close Lionel moves the goalposts!

John,  I found out a few days ago that they are in the Lionel Warehouse and as soon as the shutdown is over,  they will be sent out to the dealers.  Probably in the next few weeks or so.

Blake

Well, that's a pleasant surprise if it's true, it's about time!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, that's a pleasant surprise if it's true, it's about time!

Agreed!  It came from Dave Olson so we'll see.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Anyone seen the Lionel 6-85296 LCS SensorTrack 2 (IRV2) yet?  This has been "coming" for a couple of years, if it doesn't ship soon it'll be obsolete.  Every time the delivery date gets close Lionel moves the goalposts!

How true.  

Part obsolescence issues before the product even ships, now that would be funny.  Well not really.

I have one on order and the add on, curios to see how well they work vs the Fastrack one I tore apart to put under Atlas track.

Jim

I have a few of the Fastrack ones, but since I'm going to Gargraves/Ross, those aren't going to be as useful as they might be.  I'll probably take them apart and hide the electronics and use them, but I'd like to get some of the ones made for alternative track brands.

@Jim Sandman posted:

Part obsolescence issues before the product even ships, now that would be funny.  Well not really.

I have one on order and the add on, curios to see how well they work vs the Fastrack one I tore apart to put under Atlas track.

Jim

Jim,  according to Dave Olson,  these IRV2’s will work just like the individual sensor tracks work.  The difference may be that the sensor may have a little issue if using more than 3 foot PDI cable.  

We've been waiting for the Sensor Track Add On for quite awhile.  Glad to hear it is on the horizon.  Disheartened to hear there is a little issue.  Do you know any more about the issue ?

@shorling posted:

We've been waiting for the Sensor Track Add On for quite awhile.  Glad to hear it is on the horizon.  Disheartened to hear there is a little issue.  Do you know any more about the issue ?

I don’t know of anymore issues.

@Blake Morris posted:

Jim,  according to Dave Olson,  these IRV2’s will work just like the individual sensor tracks work.  The difference may be that the sensor may have a little issue if using more than 3 foot PDI cable.  

That's going to limit it's usefulness I would imagine!

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

That's going to limit it's usefulness I would imagine!

John, I think they are guaranteeing a good signal with the 3 foot cable but more than likely, you could stretch it out and see what you get.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

I have a few of the Fastrack ones, but since I'm going to Gargraves/Ross, those aren't going to be as useful as they might be.  I'll probably take them apart and hide the electronics and use them, but I'd like to get some of the ones made for alternative track brands.

I took one apart and mounted it on a spacer to allow the sensor to be read from tubular track between the rails. Works fine and the cord can be 20 feet long.

cant seem to get it small enough to fit under gargraves I may need to use roadbed thickness.

tried to simulate the ties to get the resin thickness so its strong enough

@Blake Morris posted:

Jim,  according to Dave Olson,  these IRV2’s will work just like the individual sensor tracks work.  The difference may be that the sensor may have a little issue if using more than 3 foot PDI cable.  

The 3-foot specification refers to the cable between the sensor and the module with the electronics, and that’s the length of the cable provided.

The PDI cable, which the user provides, between the IRV2 module and other LCS components can be as long as that between any other LCS components.

I like that 3D printing Alan, you could just extend the "ties" and paint them to match the existing ties.

@Keith L posted:

The 3-foot specification refers to the cable between the sensor and the module with the electronics, and that’s the length of the cable provided.

That makes sense, not as bad a restriction as it first sounded like.

The ties do match Gargraves. To get more space for the electronics while maintaining a reasonable shell thickness the rails fit between the tiles in the spaces provided.

the electronics is still too high to fit underneath which is why I will need to add in the height of the roadbed and add that as resin to match the roadbed. The only roadbed I have is the cork material.

Fasttrack has no issue because they use their track roadbed to obtain the height required for the electronics package to fit.

I think it is reasonable to assume that Lionel made the sensor track difficult to use with any other track format (including Gargraves) other than their own. That has a name. It's called tie-in Monopoly and is illegal under the Clayton and Sherman Anti-trust Acts.  Contact the Anti-Trust Division of our justice department. Good Luck with that!

I'm using 1/4" foam, it's slightly thicker than the Midwest cork roadbed, so if it works for cork, it would work for mine.

@AlanRail posted:

I think it is reasonable to assume that Lionel made the sensor track difficult to use with any other track format (including Gargraves) other than their own. That has a name. It's called tie-in Monopoly and is illegal under the Clayton and Sherman Anti-trust Acts.  Contact the Anti-Trust Division of our justice department. Good Luck with that!

With their retrofit package for other track types, I think they have that angle covered.  Not sure even if they didn't that it would be considered illegal.  After all, electronic device manufacturers make products that have unique batteries and other accessories.

being nice is not what will protect them.

I just looked up my previous orders and I ordered this on March 4, 2019.  along with the IRV2.

Yep, it's been a while in the making, I do hope it actually gets produced!

I ordered the IRV2 in February 2018...

I know that Lionel wanted to get it right before releasing it, but, clearly, it wasn’t a priority either. That’s understandable. It’s a small item, and, on top of that, Lionel has pivoted it’s technology and marketing thrust away from Legacy and the LCS system to the LionChief Plus 2.0 platform.

The iPad app, iCab app, third-party apps, and LCS devices, all of which Lionel previously touted so highly, have been largely left in the dust. I suppose that Lionel has only so many resources to go around. Presumably, market potential and technology production issues favor LionChief Plus and LionChief Plus 2.0. Again, I get it, but personally I regret the neglect of Legacy/LCS. I can’t get enough of all the cool capabilities that are possible.

@Keith L posted:

I ordered the IRV2 in February 2018...

I know that Lionel wanted to get it right before releasing it, but, clearly, it wasn’t a priority either. That’s understandable. It’s a small item, and, on top of that, Lionel has pivoted it’s technology and marketing thrust away from Legacy and the LCS system to the LionChief Plus 2.0 platform.

The iPad app, iCab app, third-party apps, and LCS devices, all of which Lionel previously touted so highly, have been largely left in the dust. I suppose that Lionel has only so many resources to go around. Presumably, market potential and technology production issues favor LionChief Plus and LionChief Plus 2.0. Again, I get it, but personally I regret the neglect of Legacy/LCS. I can’t get enough of all the cool capabilities that are possible.

I feel the same thing ! Legacy is not more a priority! 

Speaking of the devil...I just received an email from Charles Ro saying that they’re shipping my IRV2!

I ordered a year later.  Hope they have enough to fill all the orders.

Brendan

My Bag in Charles RO, Am I correct?

Looks like you’re ordering one IRV2 (which comes with two sensors) plus a pair (2) of additional sensors and three PDI cables.

@Keith L posted:

Looks like you’re ordering one IRV2 (which comes with two sensors) plus a pair (2) of additional sensors and three PDI cables.

Ohhh, Thanks !

I didn't know which comes with two sensors for package. So cable is included too? What is size?