Legacy - Command Base - TPC - plus DCS?

You can daisy-chain them by using the MTH #50-1032 cable and the "Y" cable that comes with the Legacy base.

FWIW, this is on page #124 in Barry's book on DCS.  Spend the $12.95 for the electronic version, it's a handy reference.

John,

You can daisy-chain them by using the MTH #50-1032 cable and the "Y" cable that comes with the Legacy base.

Unfortunately, I don't believe that will do it.

Using those 2 cables allows connection of Legacy, the TIU and a TMCC command base or a TPC, but not both, unless  there's a second serial port on the TPC to daisy-chain it with a TMCC Command Base using another RS232 serial cable.

Does the TPC have 2 serial ports?

Right, to add the TPC, you have to bring the serial data to it.  That's the same issue you have if you have three or four TPC units.

I missed the TPC in the original post, but it's the same idea.

One other issue that might come up is the drive capability of the Legacy command base, it may require a serial port booster.  Dale M sells one that solves that problem.

Does the TPC have 2 serial ports?

No, it connects to the system using a Lionel cable (6-14191) which has a DB9 connector on one end and 2 wires that connect to the TPC on the other. 

So far it looks like the only solution is to take the Command Base out of the system and use that connector for DCS. 

One other issue that might come up is the drive capability of the Legacy command base, it may require a serial port booster.  Dale M sells one that solves that problem.

I am unaware of that issue.  What should I be looking for to see if I need the Dale M's cable.

That's the same issue you have if you have three or four TPC units.

I have 4 TPC's that I was planning on using.  What is the solution there?  I thought you just daisy chained the TPC's using two wires from one to the next TPC.  I've done that before, has that changed?

Go to www.trainfacts.com and look at Manco Products.

Nope, you just run the serial as you have before.  I see Dale responded with his serial booster, that may be a good idea to consider.

Thanks Guys, greatly appreciated.

Dale - Using the Booster Plus RS-232 version can I connect the DCS TIU to the Accessories port to integrate it into the system?

Yep, I recommend the one with the accessory port, makes the cabling simple.

At the TTOS club layout in the mall, we have a command base, a Legacy base, a DCS TIU, and four TPCs all connected up. They all play fine with each other.