LionChief Oddity ideas sought

I think folks are saying all the RC sets do that.  May be a automatic shutdown to conserve power or shutdown the electronics.  G

I have that happen on the Lionchief sets that I own so I would say it seems to be a feature of the units.

Thanks. Next year, I will set up a block I can isolate, so I don't have to stop everything

I asked Lionel customer service, they said it was normal and furthermore, I should unplug the system, when not in use. I told them I hope they do some further development, as the unit is touted as control system compatible. Ah well, things are still developing, I hope.

Given that the Lioncheif sets are an entry level control system targeted at younger operators i.e. kids, I'm guessing this is a feature designed to prevent the trains from running if a child was to forget to turn it off, like kids so often do with anything electronic.

 

Seems like a logical idea.

 

If it works fine with your DCS it certainly seems compatible, it just shuts down after an extended idle period.

 

I normally park any unused command locos on an isolated siding, seems like good practice to reduce any risk of short circuit damage and no sense powering a loco that isn't running.

 

 

 

 

This LionChief system has stopped me from buying my grandson a James the red Engine set this year. Lionel's track record for quality is just to disturbing to layout money for something that may not work or have proper support when things go wrong. One of my main concerns is if and when the remote gets broken will you be able to have it fixed or replaced? Or will you end up with a train that cannot be used? I feel that these engines should have been designed with the ability to run in conventional if and when needed.

Hmmm,,, the new Lion Chief Plus Engines coming out next year have a switch that would enable running in conventional mode.

 

Wonder if there isn't a way to perform the same on the existing Lion Chief sets?

 

Maybe add a switch that would kill the remote signal somehow???

 

GunrunnerJohn??? Any ideas?

The board has to be programmed to accept that I would assume.  The LC plus are higher priced engines I think, with the additional features it could be a different board or different programming. G

RickO
I agree to some extent, but not really. What you suggest about the isolated siding, is what I will do, next christmas. I have a very large carpet Christmas layout and rewiring behind the tree and under mt crumpets isn't an option this year.
I'm really hoping a third party embraces this technology and something akin to dcc can develop. I'm glad lionel is doing rc. But we are both guessing as to why they didn't develop the technology such that the remote couldn't restore function,  without the need to cycle track power. Many "starter sets" now have constant voltage track.
The whole lionchief plus idea might be cool, but again, unless they supply dcc Like boards, so I can sell this PE unit and drop a board in all my conventional locos (including a PE),why embrace another proprietary system?

Marty, RC Control with DCC like code is out there.  The outdoor G gauge's use it.  Battery powered train.  I think it is called Air Wire and I am sure there are others.

 

This is not new technology.  The biggest issue with it right now, is one remote specific to one engine type and no other means of operation.  So what needs to be developed in my opinion is a RC Bridge that allows a CAB-1 or Cab-1L or Cab-2 to communicate with the RC engines via the bridge.  Similar to the Legacy Power Master Bridge.   G

Thanks for the feedback folks. My immediate need is satified by running Variable 2 out to the loop, with the PE. Since I use a siding and the trains are long, I stop the 15 car freight train to run the express. Now I just have to hope the power interuption doesn't confuse the DCS loco.

 

Still hoping for a better universal system, that allows me to keep the features on the MTH stuff and add other trains.