Legacy use with ASC 3000

It should work, but note that the Legacy base doesn't have the same drive capability as the old TMCC base, and you may need to add a buffer.  As it so happens the SER2 LCS accessory is such a buffer if you need one.

John: Do you know numbers of the  two pins  on a 9 pin RS 232 plug that go to "DAT" on the ASC 3000.  My ASC 3000's are not getting a signal using the Y connector and I do not have the two wire lionel  plug sold to make this specific connection.  But I do have a radio shack plug that allows direct soldering to the individual pins.  Assume I am looking at a male plug with five pins on the top row (number 1 thru 5) and four pins on the bottom row (numbers 6 thru 9).  Thanks so much for your help on this and other matters!!!  Phil

You may not need the Y-cable, but if you use it be sure you are only using the "serial comm" end.

Pin 5 is ground (earth ground, not layout outside rail!) and pin 2 is serial data transmitted from the base.

Try it with one ASC first.  As John says, the Legacy base may not supply enough current to drive several ASCs.  You could get the Legacy SER2 module (plus power supply), which supplies more current.

Gentlemen:  Thanks for your help.  Here is a little more background.  I have 2 ASC 3000's I used some years ago and want to use them again.  I have a male RS 232 plug and if I hold it with the plug holes facing away from me and five solder prongs face me.  Prong number 2 goes to "DAT" and 5 goes to "COM"  on the ASC 3000.  I powered the ASC 3000 and plugged it into the female connector on the Legacy Base using the above described male plug.  No signal.  I have an old  TMCC command base that I wasn't using, so i turned Legacy off, plugged in this base and attached my ASC 3000 to it.  I tried to program and use to no avail.  No flash of the LED when trying these to program or use.   At one point the LED lit up for awhile but never flashed.  I tried these experiments on both of my ASC 3000's.  What am I missing here???  Phil

Phil, sounds like you're doing it right.  But if you're getting no signal with either the TMCC or Legacy base, with two ASCs, sounds like something basic is wrong.  A couple of ideas:

silly question:  the ASC is separately powered, right?

also check continuity between your wires and and the prongs of your plug.

Do you happen to have a USB-RS232 converter around?  If so, you could use your computer to check if the command bases are sending out serial data, or whether the ASC will respond to a command on the serial base.  Complicated, I know.

I have the switches working using an SC-2.  There may  be a problem with the ASC 30000's so I will try them with someone elses  Command base.  Thanks for your help.  Phil