New to Legacy and would appreciate any advisee

read this thread and come back with questions.

tmcc/legacy reference

 I think Lionel did a great job on their videos.

Another great source is from Eric's trains. He is unbiased and provides a lot of great info on almost every product. Of course I should have looked first to see if he had a Legacy install video!

 There are many users here who will help you thru any issues you encounter as well.

  I hate to bring this up but we just lost a great man who always helped here. I say this in his memory. RIP Bill.

Krix, are you running TMCC/Legacy or conventional?

Thanks for the replies.

Bigdodge trains thanks for the thread a lot of information there and it will take time to read it all.

John I am getting away from conventional and want to go full TMCC/Legacy/DCS.

I do have question for the group. The TPC 300 and 400 do you need on each track (loop) to run the Legacy? Or could just hook the PW ZW with Legacy on the U channel and get the same effect? A little confused on that point.

No need for TPC with a full command layout.  The track voltage stays constant at 18V.

The TPC is used to control conventional trains remotely.  It takes commands and adjust Voltage to the track, plus generate offsets for bell and whistle.

Same as a Power Master, just with greater input power limits and a few other functions.

G

If you're going full command, you just need the Legacy system and a transformer.

Just play with it, play with it, play with it

If you are also getting (or already have) DCS, you can run conventional on one of the variable channels with DCS if you ever need to. No extra equipment required. I started with DCS and later added Legacy by just connecting the black wire from the Legacy base to the black outputs on the TIU channels I was using. DCS is the more picky system to wire for so I tried to follow the guide lines in Barry's book as best as I could and it worked very well. For me, adding Legacy was very easy after I wired for DCS and had it up and running.

The only Legacy book I know of is the Legacy manual and the manuals included with each engine. There is no 'Barry's book' for Legacy. The Lionel website has some very good videos on Legacy and many other things Lionel. Also, (as you know) lots of good Legacy help is available here. I don't know it as well as I do DCS, but it really was pretty easy to get up and running with it. Then, as Matt says, just start playing with it.

Thank you one and all for your replies. I have started to watch the videos and some question have been answered. The other half the question I have posted here or tired looking it up on the forum.

Dear Matt

I will play, play when time allows.

Dear rtr12

I was hoping for a Barry type of book on the Legacy. Also thanks for the tip on DCS and Legacy.

because with one wire hook up of the legacy and all the info everyone does not believe a book is necessary.

Kris,

   Barry's book gives in depth instructions on how to use Legacy with DCS, no need for another Legacy book, especially if you run both DCS & Legacy.  I use the opposite outside rail from the DCS hook up & run the Legacy thru the TIU also, it give a nice strong Legacy signal using this technique.  Marty F is responsible for my knowledge on this technique.

Have fun with your new Legacy.

PCRR/Dave

I was too, but I am afraid we are out of luck on the book. You are welcome, hope it all works for you, I am sure it will.  

As has been noted, Legacy is relatively easy to set up and operate. That's one of its great features. There's not a huge need for a "Barry book." The available videos, instruction manuals and other resources are generally quite adequate.  DCS is significantly more complicated. Barry's book is pushing 300 pages! Legacy takes a fraction of that to explain....which is good for those of us who are simple-minded.

I can understand the desire for a book like Barry's and I even contemplated writing one but due to work schedule and life and the fact I've never done anything like it before I passed.  People want to slap their engine on the track and go.  In theory it should work like that.  In real world not always.

Dear All

Thank you for input on this matter.  Next question, I am looking to purchase the TPC and some Power Master 180 watts, any have a good supplier that has them in stock?

I'd stick with the Legacy PowerMaster, it has better capabilities than the old PowerMaster, and also is directly compatible with Legacy.  The old PowerMaster needs a Legacy PowerMaster Bridge to function with the Legacy system.

I also recommend you forgo any TPC, IMO there is very little reason to have more than 10 amps on any track segment, so the extra power handling capability of the TPC is usually wasted.

Dear John

Thanks for the reply, you just saved me a lots of problems. I saw two TMCC Power Masters and TPC 300 for sale at a great price, now I understand why. I did not purchase them I did how every I purchase three Legacy Power Master based on your advise.  

Quick two questions:

First one is in regards to the Molex connectors. I did find your thread and found the items at Digikey. I just what to confirm how to wiring the Molex connector: the top position has nothing, middle position which wire goes there? The bottom wire would be self explanatory.

Second question phasing: Do you need phase the Power Master before applying power to the track? I am running loops that are not connected to each other but I would like to get into the habit of good wiring hygiene

The phasing should be correct if the transformer wiring is correct. 

If you're using a transformer other than the PowerHouse 180, you will need to phase them to match.  The wire on the end is considered the "hot" wire on the PH180, but truthfully I'm not sure how it would match up in phase with other transformers.  It's best to simply check the phasing and be sure.  The pin position at the pointed end of the 3-pin Molex is blank as you have indicated.

Dear John

Thanks.

Dear MartyE

I could not agree with you more, life does get in the way and we never get a chance to get to things. Instead of a book what about a quick reference guide? One place the train on the track and go. The  other guide would have detailed information about the system.

Bigdodgetrain: I would agree that a book might not be in order but what about a short cheat sheet?

Dave thanks for the info.

breezinup Not to worry, I was complete clueless when I got back into this hobby after a nearly 30 years or more of being out of it. I am very great full for this forum and the great people in it to lend a helping hand. If it where not for this forum I would have give up on this hobby again.  I read a lot on this forum and it drive my wife nuts "again with the trains" I also ask a lot of question.

Kris, I would phase the transformer.  In the future if you consider connecting loops it will be done.  I phase all my transformers, track loops, operating track sections, etc...  G