LionChief control from TMCC? Version 2.0 - More questions (Updated 5-27-18)

Fredstrains posted:

GRJ,

I’m curious, John, where would this “Unit” be placed  physically?

Fredstrains

First off it's JGL in this case.  

As for placement of the bridge 'box' it could theoretically be placed anywhere about the layout. Though somewhere above and toward the center would probably be ideal, it will work from anywhere that a universal remote would be able to control your trains.  Aside from folks with very large layouts it should work fine set beside the TMCC or Legacy base.  

The box will need a power connection that I'm currently planning on using a wall wart style adapter for that has a 3 or 4 foot long cord, so you'll need an outlet in that range.  Additionally the bridge will connect to your command base with the 9-pin serial port.  This serial data cable has some limits on length, and that will vary depending on if you are using the original command base, or a modern Legacy or cab1L base.  Without getting into the nitty-gritty of it, the for the Legacy and (I think) cab1L base you should be good with a serial cable dozens of feet long.  For the original TMCC base, I wouldn't recommend much more than six feet.  This limit can be removed with a simple signal booster on the serial line, but that is probably unneeded for most people.  I'm planning to include a 3 foot cable which should be enough for  typical use.  Additionally if you use LCS you will need a SER2 module to connect the device, as the base's serial port is in use by that system.  

Also, for those without a tmcc system, the bridge should work with DCS systems as well by using the Y cable intended to connect DCS to TMCC systems, and allow you to control LC/+ engines as if they were TMCC engines from your DCS remote.  In this use case, you would connect the Y cable as normal to the DCS TIU.  the connection that normally goes to the TMCC base would be left unconnected, and the 'output' end of the Y would connect to the bridge device.  I haven't tested this yet, but I think it should work.

JGL

Sorry about the initials! Thought I was addressing Gun Runner 

John, I went to have a look at the 2019 catalogue, I was curious about the Legacy control for LionChief,I wondered if it applied to FlyerChief. It does not and myself running S gauge would continue to be very interested in the bridge that you have been working on. I would also think there are other S gauge folks that feel the same.

Ray

Rayin"S" posted:

John, I went to have a look at the 2019 catalogue, I was curious about the Legacy control for LionChief,I wondered if it applied to FlyerChief. It does not and myself running S gauge would continue to be very interested in the bridge that you have been working on. I would also think there are other S gauge folks that feel the same.

Ray

Seconded

Brendan

Fredstrains posted:

Sorry about the initials! Thought I was addressing Gun Runner 

This is JGL's baby, I'm just a spectator here.

Rayin"S" posted:

John, I went to have a look at the 2019 catalogue, I was curious about the Legacy control for LionChief,I wondered if it applied to FlyerChief. It does not and myself running S gauge would continue to be very interested in the bridge that you have been working on. I would also think there are other S gauge folks that feel the same.

Unless it's an LC+ 2.0 model, my thinking would be no.

I am a few years late but, is something like this available now in a plug and play version from someone on the forum? The modifications and programing are above my paygrade. I only run LC and TMCC (old version). This would be great for me. I would not need more than 3 LC.

@Santa Bill K posted:

I am a few years late but, is something like this available now in a plug and play version from someone on the forum? The modifications and programing are above my paygrade. I only run LC and TMCC (old version). This would be great for me. I would not need more than 3 LC.

Yep. You can buy a BASE3 from Lionel and plug your CAB1/TMCC BASE into it (with SER2 & PDI Cable). You can then address RF & Bluetooth engines with the base 3 and control them with your CAB1. It is not a cheap solution but it will work.

Thanks for the information. $600, including all cables, is too much for me.

@H1000 posted:

Yep. You can buy a BASE3 from Lionel and plug your CAB1/TMCC BASE into it (with SER2 & PDI Cable). You can then address RF & Bluetooth engines with the base 3 and control them with your CAB1. It is not a cheap solution but it will work.

For LC and LC+ with BT, you're right, that seems like an awfully expensive solution when the dedicated remote, universal remote, or App are $50 max.

Can I assume the Base3 offers no benefit to LC or LC+ withOUT BT. I have one LC and one LC+ without BT, and I'm guessing I'm limited to their dedicated remotes or a universal remote.

@raising4daughters posted:

For LC and LC+ with BT, you're right, that seems like an awfully expensive solution when the dedicated remote, universal remote, or App are $50 max.

Can I assume the Base3 offers no benefit to LC or LC+ withOUT BT. I have one LC and one LC+ without BT, and I'm guessing I'm limited to their dedicated remotes or a universal remote.

The BASE3 can pair with your LC & LC+ RF (non-Bluetooth) engines and you can control them with the CAB1, CAB2 or CAB3 app.

The BASE3 reserves ID 2 through 9 for RF engines and 10 through 29 for Bluetooth engines.

@H1000 posted:

The BASE3 can pair with your LC & LC+ RF (non-Bluetooth) engines and you can control them with the CAB1, CAB2 or CAB3 app.

The BASE3 reserves ID 2 through 9 for RF engines and 10 through 29 for Bluetooth engines.

Thanks. Guess I've been sleeping through the Base3 promotion. I'm starting to see a reason to pick up a Base3.  I've got an LC and LC+ as I mentioned and a number of TMCC plus 5 DCS (with the command base plugged into my TIU). Just ordered an LC+2.0 for delivery in 2025. Still using an old Cab1 and a DCS remote along with the dedicated remote for the LC and LC+.  Base3 opens up more options than I thought.

@raising4daughters posted:

Thanks. Guess I've been sleeping through the Base3 promotion. I'm starting to see a reason to pick up a Base3.  I've got an LC and LC+ as I mentioned and a number of TMCC plus 5 DCS (with the command base plugged into my TIU). Just ordered an LC+2.0 for delivery in 2025. Still using an old Cab1 and a DCS remote along with the dedicated remote for the LC and LC+.  Base3 opens up more options than I thought.

It certainly has me looking at more LC and LC+ engines and sets.

When did Lionel start putting Bluetooth in Lionchief Locos?

I may look for one.

Around 2017 was the first Bluetooth engines,

Thanks. I'll start looking for LC 2917 or later.

Just make sure they say BlueTooth, they were pretty proud of them and touted that feature prominently when they first came out.