LCS WiFi and SER2 manuals online

Cool Beans. 

not included

Since you only need one, it wouldn't be prudent to have it in all devices because folks Who buy multiple units would have an over abundance of PSs. 

I have a P/S cable, so I'm figuring I'm set when my pre-orders of these come in.

WiFi Manual

Ser2 Manual

Things it looks like to remember about LCS after doing a fast skim:

WiFi Module should be the First of the devices and connected directly to the PDI Cable from the Power Supply.  

Newrby? maybe Nearby.....  

Warranty, not covered Light Bulbs, LEDs and Traction Tires. How many of your are using Traction Tires with your WiFi or Ser2? LOL Yes, I know it is the common warranty disclaimer but really? But then, some wacko might try and say that their Traction Tires were damaged prematurely but the extra WiFi Signal too close to the Engine! 

Also looks like I may need more than one Ser2 Module....   

Just read the manuals. Just wondering if you could use the screw terminals and the DB9 on the same unit. I'm guessing not but doesn't hurt to ask.

Covered in the manual:

"You may use either the three screw terminal connector or the DB9 connector on one SER2. You may use both the DB9 and the comm/output screw terminals simultaneously. However, if your configuration requires using the SER2's INPUT screw terminal as well as the output, you cannot simultaneously use the DB9 connector. In this case, add an additional SER2 module to your layout."

MY OTC doesn't use the Input connection, so I'm good with one.

Thanks Jim. I missed that. I was trying to save buying more than 2.

I can see it now.  A CAB3 system that will have built in WIFI.

No need to make hand held controllers, just download the free app.

( A + from the Lionel standpoint )

This new WIFI is going to be interesting over time to see if it takes off.

I am interested in it, and depending on the price point I may get one.

There is just something I like about the hand held though.

Now I sound like my dad who has to have that news paper in his hand

while I read the same thing on line...

Kudos for Lionel for pursuing this...

They did demo the iCab at York. 

Does this mean these will be shipping soon?????

there was a post from Jon Z on another thread saying they were due in their facility about 2 weeks ago.  so one can hope!!!

Charles ro says August 10 ..

It's past that, or are we talking next year?

Just says due August 10 2014 .. There ussally on the money.. I haven't called yet to see if they got them. 

http://www.charlesro.com/store...p;Category_Code=OLTP

stuff is showing up at my front door and still shows as not yet shipped by lionel.

not the LCS but other items I have ordered.

based on that all we can do is wait and see what shows up.

Frankly my LCS track and cables are still in the shipping box until this stuff shows up. I am using both DCS and Legacy so I am not willing to kill the DCS stuff to use a sensor track.

If you have ASC's, BPC's etc.. connected to the Legacy base you can't connect any LCS boxes until the Serial Converter is delivered. It should be the same for a TIU.

I played around with the Sensor Track but I couldn't control switches or accessories so I disconnected the Sensor Track until I get the Serial Converter.

If you are using SC2's you should be fine.

Hello All,

MartyE is correct in that I am referring to the DCS/Legacy serial connection. I am wondering if a db9 splitter placed prior would give me what I am looking for?

Jeff

I'm not sure.  I would imagine it's worth a try but I'm thinking depending on what else you maybe trying to drive from the serial connection at some point you'll loose out as the Legacy base doesn't have the drive that the TMCC base does.  Hence the SER2.

Might be worth a shot though.

captincog

I use a splitter cable and until the ser2 is available the asc, etc. will not work.

If you use a buffered splitter, it should work.  Maybe it's time for another buffer like Dale's serial booster that he no longer makes.

Jim is correct - the LCS baud rate is 115k, the SER2 down converts to 9600 for compatibility.  A splitter or booster won't help. 

Although an app is good, why not have a web page, such as what my DSL modem has, my router running DD-WRT has, Ethernet over power line has, or printers have?

At work some of the devices have that too (wish more did).

Then you could get control from anything that can render a web page, be it Windows, Mac, Linux, QNX, iOS, Android, Windows phone, etc. It might not be the slickest interface but at least you could get some basic functions on it.

>>It might not be the slickest interface but at least you could get some basic functions on it.

Because that *is* the problem.  The interface is limited, browsers don't all render the same, and the basic functions are not compelling to use.

Okay folks,

Since I do like a challenge and remembering back to my Amiga networking days I thought about the DB9 splitter. I read the LCS track manual. After looking at Barry's solution to hook the MTH DCS Wi-Fi unit to use a DB9 splitter cable, I decided to take a gamble.

I ordered a short cable so it would plug into the Legacy base and then the Legacy to TMCC adaptor cable which goes to the DCS would connect to one end. I then plugged in the DB9 LCS power supply cable into the other end of the splitter. I took a guess that there should be enough signal to drive these devices in this arrangement.

So I plugged it all in and got everything ready including the DCS, Legacy, and TMCC units including the handheld controllers along with the installed LCS sensor track and....

It works! Now, this is my experience and I will have to test the WiFi module when it does come out but at least now I have my LCS sensor track, Legacy, TMCC, and DCS all playing together nicely. I am happy that I got lucky and it all works. I think the key was putting the DB9 splitter cable right to the Legacy base.

Now, this is my experience only. So anyone else reading this does this on their own. I do not think anything could get hurt but since I am not an engineer on this stuff you do at your own risk.

With that said it does work nice.

Normally, the RS232 ports are pretty forgiving if driven by standard support chips.  The inputs and outputs are designed to be pretty robust.

I spoke to someone at Nassau Hobby this afternoon and was told that, along with the 990s, the WiFi and Serial modules would be arriving "by the end of next week"

Just got an email from TrainWorld, my WiFi and Serial Module is shipping.

I guess they're coming on-line with the 990's!

That's great news!  

Have fun!

It'll be even greater when they show up!

Now that I have played with trying the use the DCS remote back to TMCC it does not work. Oh well. Time to wait for the Serial booster...I can still use everything on it's own. Just cannot talk from DCS to TMCC. Not that big a deal right now.