Lionel WiFi System... Will it work with TMCC?

Trainlover9943 posted:

Hi all, I'm wondering if the new LCS WiFi module will work with TMCC. I personally use it with the legacy system and the reason why I ask is because I'm going to buy a TMCC set for convenience reasons should my legacy have to go in for repair. So can it be used with the TMCC Yes or No. If not I would like to know why.  

tmcc is train master command control.

legacy is an upgraded tmcc and is the only one that worsk with the lcs wifi.

the why is the cab1 has outdated components.

why buy an outdated cab1 when a new cab1L will work much better.

corrected.

The reason why I would buy a original TMCC system is because I like it a lot better than the Cab-1L. 

bigdodgetrain posted:

but even the cab1L will not work with the lcs wifi only the legacy base will.

The original TMCC base will not work with the LCS system, but it WILL work with the Base-1L/Cab-1L system, as well as Legacy 990 command base. The WiFi module can also control LCS components like the ASC2 and BPC2 to provide switch or accessory operation on a conventional or any other type of command layout.

Thanks for the reply, Rudy! So it can't be used with the TMCC system I take it? 

That's correct. When the TMCC command base was designed in the 1990's, there was no way to plan in advance to make it compatible with the requirements of LCS which would be developed nearly 20 years later. The two are not compatible.

I'm curious what changed in a 9600bps serial connection in the last 20 years?  Does the LCS module communicate with the Legacy base at a different data rate or use some other protocol?  I understand that lcs won't work with TMCC, but I'm sort of stumped as to why it wouldn't, if it's talking to a TMCC engine.  Does the LCS module send all commands with something other than the 0xFE start byte, even original TMCC commands?  

JGL

I should also ask this, what will happen if you try to use the WiFi with the TMCC system? Will it just not work? I ordered my TMCC set yesterday. 

Go to the Lionel web site and download the manual for the wifi component. According to the doc, the cab1,

by itself, will not work with the wifi. You can hook the cab1 up to the legacy base and it will work that way. Seems kind of silly to buy the legacy base, etc, just to use the cab1.

I'm well aware. The only reason why I got a cab 1 was so that should my Legacy need to get serviced I have a backup.