I'd like to hook a TIU into a existing Lionel Legacy set up. Do I need to purchase the MTH Remote or can I control everything with the Lionel CAB-2??? Thanks Guys TT
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You need the MTH remote.
TT,
How you need to look at this is that you need a complete DCS package that the
TMCC (CAB2) or legacy then interfaces with. You will need the DCS TIU and the DCS hand held remote control at a minimum. I suggest an AIU for remote switch control also.
PCRR/Dave
The minimum you will need is:
DCS TIU
DCS Handheld Remote
TMCC or Legacy Command Base
Cable to connect to TIU
Power Supply, I'd get one with an output of 18 VAC max (3rd Rail says NOT to run their engines with TMCC on anything higher than 18VAC). I'm using a Lionel 180 PowerHouse brick.
What everyone is trying to tell you is - You can run TMCC/Legacy engines in Command Mode, Conventional engines in Conventional Mode, and PS2/PS3 engines in Command Mode using the DCS system, but you can't run PS2/PS3 engines in Command Mode using a TMCC or Legacy system. However, you can run them in Conventional Mode.
MTH engines use PS2/PS3 for Command Control. Lionel, Weaver, Atlas, and 3rd Rail use TMCC or Legacy (I think Lionel engines only use Legacy) for Command Control.
I have been the forum looking for an answer, so I am going to jump into this one since this is relevant to the question. I have bought the TMCC command base and cable for my TIU. For some reason when I go to add engine TMCC, It dose not detect and I have to add engine manually. No matter what I do I cant get it to run. The TMCC works as I took it to a Dealer/friend and he tested it and it worked fine. What am I doing wrong?
suzukovich,
It sounds like you are not connected up properly or that your TMCC cable
is malfunctioning. Review Barry's DCS O Gauge Companion, make sure you are set up properly, and that you are using the DCS remote control properly. Rich Melvin also gives a great visual education on this in the OGR DCS Video Guide.
After making sure, if you still have a problem, check your batteries in your DCS remote control, if they are low this could also be your problem.
PCRR/Dave
It dose not detect and I have to add engine manually.
TMCC and Legacy do not auto-detect because they can only receive and cannot send.
No matter what I do I cant get it to run. The TMCC works as I took it to a Dealer/friend and he tested it and it worked fine
That's most likely either because you used the wrong cable between the TIU and the command base, the cable is reversed end-for-end, or you entered the engine's TMCC address or the TIU number where the command base is connected incorrectly.
Do you have a Cab-1? If so, does the engine work using the Cab-1? Does the LED on the command base blink when you attempt to use the DCS Remote to operate the engine?
List exactly how you added the TMCC engine, stating exactly what you saw on the screen and exactly what were your responses.
There are 2 different cables. The one with the filter box is for TMCC and the one without the filter is for Legacy. The filter box is near one or the other, I forgot which. When someone solves that questions should be eliminated.
Is the engine in the DCS handheld? Are DCS engines running on your layout? this would confirm DCS is working.
Jim,
There are 2 different cables. The one with the filter box is for TMCC and the one without the filter is for Legacy.
Actually, there are 3 different cables. From page 121 of The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition:
• #50-1018, TIU/TMCC 6' Connector Cable may be used only to connect the TIU to a Lionel TMCC Command Base
• #50-1007, TIU/TMCC 6' Connector Cable may be used only to connect the TIU to a Lionel Legacy Command Base
• #50-1032 TIU/TMCC-Legacy 6' Connector Cable may be used to connect the TIU to either a Lionel TMCC Command Base or a Lionel Legacy Command Base
The 50-1007 does not have a "box" (opto-isolator) in the middle while the other two do.
This and a whole lot more is all in "The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", now available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book from MTH's web store site! Click on the link below to go to MTH's web page for the book!
Does the 3rd one have a bypass switch to go around the box?
Thus, upgrading from a Blue plate special to a combo platter.
Anyway, The OP has a command base so #50-1007 would be the wrong one. The other 2 are correct. Where does the box go? Near the TIU or near the Command base? It will aid in the troubleshooting elimination process.
That's most likely either because you used the wrong cable between the TIU and the command base, the cable is reversed end-for-end, or you entered the engine's TMCC address or the TIU number where the command base is connected incorrectly.
I have the right cable
Do you have a Cab-1? If so, does the engine work using the Cab-1? Does the LED on the command base blink when you attempt to use the DCS Remote to operate the engine?
I do not own a CAB 1, but as stated I had taken it to a friend that's runs TMCC and it worked fine, He reprogramed the engine back to engine 1 and followed the prompts on the DCS remote. still had issues. I do believe the light was blinking on the command base. I will have to reinstall the command base and add the engine again.
One more thing. all my DCS engines are working with no issues.
suzukovich,
The more you explain about the problem the more it sounds like you have the cable
reversed to your command base, or you actually have the wrong cable.
PCRR/Dave
All
Give me a chance to reinstall command base, than I can explain what I am doing and what's happening. I wish I knew about this site months ago!!!!! I will also upload pics.
Jiom,
Does the 3rd one have a bypass switch to go around the box?
What part of "#50-1032 TIU/TMCC-Legacy 6' Connector Cable may be used to connect the TIU to either a Lionel TMCC Command Base or a Lionel Legacy Command Base" wasn't clear?
One more thing. all my DCS engines are working with no issues.
Apples and oranges.
TT
Having gone through 3 transformers to insure I had enough power and options. I settled with MTH Z4000. worth the money and gave me various options, The DCS system also worth the money. The reason I went with it almost from the start that I had the ability to run TMCC or Legacy. On TMCC and legacy you can only run MTH in conventional mode and can not access all the DCS function's. So why would I buy system limits me on what I can use. My problem was I had a cable backwards and did not know it. I followed a video that came with my DCS system and funny it never said anything about make sure the box short cable end was to be plugged into the command base
Doug
I had the cable backwards
You're welcome.
Doug
That is why I asked the questions about the box location. Plus,if it did not have a box it would be wrong. PS-2 questions about working narrows things down to a DCS TMCC interaction. Now problem solved.
Jim
When I bought the cable I made sure it was the right one, Just the video and written instructions never mentioned that box short cable needed to be on the command base end. When I was trouble shooting, I never thought to reverse the cable as I had thought it was connected properly. It's always the little things that bit you in the ***. I hope my lessoned learned helps TT in his decision making process a little easier. Once again thank you all for the help. As for the ability to run a bypass. it can be done you install a switch with the power leads going into the switch or junction box that has two switches. One that leads to the TIU and one that leads to the legacy/TMCC command module. I meet a couple of people who did that because at the time the cables were on back order with MTH.
Doug
Doug
FWIW, my Legacy/TIU cable has the ends labeled, LEGACY/TMCC and TIU. The older TMCC cable with the isolator also is labeled.
The labels were missing on mine. Brand new from MTH otherwise they would have been on right in the first place. Bottom line its fixed now.
Pretty low class of them to omit the labels!
suzukovich,
Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, you are one of many who has had this problem.
Before they started identifying the cable ends for hook up, over half the people
putting their equipment together, had the cable reversed.
PCRR/Dave
