Is it better to place the SC-2 near legacy base or closer to switches. Placing closer to the switches saves wire but I'm concerned if the signal will be compromised.
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The SC2s need to receive the legacy signal from the air just as the engines do. I stretch a house ground wire over them under the layout.
I power them just like I do tracks. I connect the U terminal to the legacy base just like I do the tracks.
The ground wire is a good idea, I have half a dozen SC-2's that I'll be using on my new layout, I'm just wiring up my turntable with three of them now. I found that an earth ground wire close by greatly boosts the reliability of operation.
Mine were a bit sketchy until I powered them from the accessory transformer A and U and connected U to the Legacy base. Then they really came alive. I set the delay down to about a half second for routes.
I thought the SC-2 didn't need power if used only for fixed voltage switches.
@Windy City posted:I thought the SC-2 didn't need power if used only for fixed voltage switches.
Only if the switches are older Lionel tubular switches and you are driving them with constant voltage. Also, the link that supplies power must be intact, that's the first thing I cut on the SC-2.
I'm learning so much from the comments. I have Lionel tubular switches that I have connected to fixed voltage. Would you recommend not cutting the "link" or would you recommend cutting the "link" and using a wall wart?
I suspect more reliable operation would be obtained by using constant aux power. I was never enamored by their kludge of powering it from the switch power supply.
Now that's a word I don't come across. kludge: a clumsy or inelegant solution to a problem.
Always something to learn!
Have a great day
Now that's an idea - creating a new daily topic entitled "Train Word of the Day" - but I don't want to start a kerfuffle about it.
