New and My First IRV Sensors Not Working

Sounds faulty. Is there any way to plug the connector in upside down?

Only if you force it, and I've double-checked all of them to make sure they are correct.

Seems like someone here had a faulty one.

I suggest you move the IRV2 box next to the base and just test one sensor.  Eliminate oddball LCS cable errors.

John,

Good suggestions, and I tried it.  I put the IVR2 as first in chain, only in chain, last, and next to last in chain, all with the same result.  I've tried each sensor individually, and of course both, same result.  The way I have main power set up, everything comes on simultaneously.  Is there a particular power up sequence that matters, i.e. IVR2 before or after command base?

It's starting to look like I may just have a faulty IVR2?

Thanks,

Burl

I think you've exhausted the options, sounds like it's time for a return.

FWIW, I bought two of the IRV2 boxes and one was bad.  When I opened it up, there was a real mess on the PCB, I can't imagine how it ever passed any sort of QC inspection looking like that!  The vendor quickly exchanged it, and I have two working boxes now.

So, as John says, seems like I exhausted all possible issues except a bad IRV2.  I bought another one as I plan to expand the layout to need 2 eventually anyway.  When I swapped out the IRV2, I have exactly the same behavior I had before.  The odds of getting two bad IRVs in a row are very slim, so now I'm back to trying to find what's wrong with my setup.  I just don't know what else to try!

Does anyone have any ideas?  I can't find anything with Lionel like a customer support number (only for returns).  Should I call that number or the seller and ask for some guidance?

Time to start eliminating possibilities.

I'd setup the LCS setup on the bench with a short piece of track, the LCS power cable, the IRV2, one sled, and the #990 command base.  See if you can get that working.

Burl,

John is giving you good advice on how to see if you somehow received two bad units.  It is doubtful, but possible.

Essentially John is suggesting that you get a setup with the minimum, or least amount of modules/track pieces involved.  A real longshot is a bad piece of track.  Since the common connections are only crimped at the factory, you might have a track with uncommon common rails.  Try what John suggests, or your own way to minimize ALL components in your troubleshooting path.

Good Luck!  I have purchased 3 of those devices, and since I am living in a 10 by 10 room, with a bigger bathroom, I don't currently have the room to check out mine!

Yes, great advice from John!  I appreciate everyone's input on this!

And...the problem was:  TWO bad sensors packaged with the first IRV2!  Both were in new packaging, and I handled them carefully as I installed them.  As improbable as a double failure is, that's what it was.

I'll try to get an RA from Lionel to have them replaced.

I have a related question.  Does anyone know of a source for just the sensors?  The IRV2s support 4, but come with only 2.  I have been unable to locate them for purchase.

Thanks again everyone!

The sensors are sold separately, IRV2 Sensor Add-On SKU: 6-85383.

Hennings has two of them.  It says pre-order, but they apparently have stock.

Lionel - 6-85383 IRV2 Sensor Add-On (Pre-Order)

These guys have them as well.

https://tandkhobby.com/6-85383...-irv2-sensor-add-on/

I have a couple new one of these sensors in their packages that I bought for the possible future. If you don’t find any I can sell them to you for the discount price and ship them. I can get more later when they are available.

John,

Thanks for the leads, I'll check those out.  You are right, they both indicate pre-order and out of stock, but that doesn't necessarily mean they don't have them.