Legacy/DCS: Need Clarification on connection

If I were using both systems, I would use the Z-4000 to feed the track through the fixed No 1 channel terminals on the TIU. I would connect the red and black terminals from the TIU fixed 1 output to the track, red to the center rail and black to the common rail. I would run a lead from the Legacy base terminal to the black terminal on the TIU Fixed 1 outputs.  No need to connect the TIU to the Legacy command base with the MTH cable. In this setup, the Legacy handheld will control Lionel Legacy and TMCC equipped locomotives. The DCS hand Held will run the MTH PS-2 and PS-3 locomotives in command.  If you use the variable channel No 1 on the TIU instead of the fixed channel, you can also run all conventional control locomotives using the DCS handheld. With this connection, it is also necessary to use a pair of jumpers between the fixed no 1 and variable no1 channel inputs on the TIU. This will power the TIU.

Using the MTH cable allows you to use the DCS handheld to control the Legacy and TMCC equipped locomotives, however not all of the Legacy system features will be available to you with the DCS handheld. So avoid the additional expense of the MTH cable and enhance the overall performance on your layout.

I am using the variable channel setup . I have used a radio shack 120/18-24 volt power supply to power the TIU directly which eliminates the need for the TIU jumpers. 

Hope this helps.

LIRR Steamer has it right.

The Cable from TIU to TMCC or Legacy is only needed to control TMCC equipment from the DCS remote. Since it can't control Legacy mode on Legacy equipment I'd say it's not needed.

One additional point: Turn the Transformer up to max for input to the TIU, the TIU will cut the voltage to the track if you use the variable channels. You don't want to be chopping the sine wave twice, it gets ugly.

John,

I'm in the same boat.  After connecting the TIU/Legacy command station via the special cable, then use a wire to connect the Legacy command module to the BLACK output on the TIU.  Most likely (in your scenario like mine) you will have a red/Black output out of the Z4000 (Track 1) into the Fixed voltage input of the TIU.  Then the black/red wire going to your track out of the TIU.  Simply unscrew the black lead out of the TIU output and place the Leagcy wire.  This supplies the TMCC signal to the track, thus allowing you a constant TMCC signal to the track.  Also this in no way affects the DCS signal to your DCS engines.  I want one handheld to control everything, hence I use the special $12 MTH cable.  Hope this helps.

JCG,

 John purchase the OGR DCS Video Guide, Rich does a great job of visually showing how

all this its done, then purchase Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd adition for further education.  Setting this up is not hard to do, Rich even shows how to set up the Fuses or Breakers when using the older transformers.  There is so much education in these 2 different sources that every person in or hobby needs to acquire them.

PCRR/Dave 

If you already have a tiu and dcs remote and want to try out dcs, hook up 2 wires from the already powered  track to the output channel fixed 1 of the tiu. (red to center rail, black to outside rail) This will put the tiu in passive mode, and may or may not  allow you to add a proto-2 engine and get the feel of dcs . Depends on how much track you have.

 This method is called passive mode and is not normally used.

Thank you all for the input. I want to use both handheld systems legacy for lionel and DCS for my MTH engines. Waiting for the DCS and TIU to arrive and still need to drop the $ on the Z4000 transformer.  I have the DCS O guage companion and will look into the OGR video guides. At this point track is layed, trouble shooting 1 remote switch, and planning out construction on my one elevated grade and tunnels.

Any suggestions if in the future I decide to ditch the lionel levers on my remote switches and connect to one of the hand helds?

John

John, I use the Legacy handheld to run my switches. I like the ease of use over the DCS but that's just my opinion.  I still have the physical switches in place so I can use the remote handheld or the standard switch throws to throw switch tracks. I use both ways all the time.

I agree don't bother to cable the Legacy base to the TIU. Run the TMCC and the Legacy on one handheld and the PS2, PS3 and conventional on the DCS Handheld.  

I run Lionel 180 Power Houses to each of my 4 TIU inputs and connect the Legacy signal wire to the common. Switches are powered separately.  

I wired the DCS and Legacy bases together, just for the flexibility.  However, I rarely run TMCC stuff with the DCS remote, as I prefer the Legacy remote.

We run all 3 systems, DCS, TMCC, and Legacy.

TMCC is connected to the Legacy system.

DCS is NOT connected to the Lionel systems.

We use Legacy Cab 2 to run all the Lionel stuff on the mainlines.

We use TMCC Cab1 to run all the engine and industry tracks.

DCS remote runs the MTH engines anywhere and everywhere on the layout.

I use two AIUs connected to the DCS system to control all my switches.

Each one can control 10 switches and 10 accessories.

I also left the regular controls connected to the switches, If I'm near one I can switch it manually. 

I am not familiar with the Legacy system so cannot compare usage for Switch setup.

I do have the ability to create a route in DCS, Selecting a route will throw all the switches for that route so you only have to hit SW, scroll to the route, and Select.