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7 replies

Placment of BPC2 in relation to my blocks

MikenMikenOGR Forum Member

I just purchased a BPC2 and an ASC2 for my LCS setup.  I was looking for advise on placement of the BPC2 in relation to my blocks.  Should I keep it close to my transformers?  Then I would have a short power wire from the transformers, a short PDI cable, and long wires to the blocks?  Should I run a longer PDI cable, one long power wire, and have shorter block power wires?

 

I use command control DCS and LEGACY with PH180s and Legacy Powermasters.  So, would like to have the wiring set up for the best signal.  

Last edited by Miken
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Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member

My set up, though very old, IC Controls before Lionel.  The two BPC are middle left, next to the large gray accessory transformer.   The two Silver box TPC's would be similar to your Legacy Powermasters.   TMCC command base is lower right.

The BPC's as wired allow for

(1) Power on/off to each block from TPC#1

(2) Power on/off to each block from TPC#2

 

 

Another picture of the BPC's,  (Block Power Controllers).

 

The track circuits are fused (7.5 amps) at this point. 14 gauge solid wire distributes controlled power to the (8) track districts (blocks).  Fuses are above the BPC's to the right of the Acme transformer.

 

Single line wiring diagram.  Click to link a better diagram.

 

Last edited by Mike CT
M MoonmanOGR Forum Member
 I like the logic of the short PDI cable and long standard wire to the blocks.
 
I don't how that would impact the DCS signal.
 
The other logic would be daisy chaining the LCS devices if you have one mounted somewhere out under the layout already.
For example, if the SER2 located somewhere in the center, near the TIU, then daisy chaining from it would make sense to locate it under the tracks where you will control the block power, like a yard or something.
 
Page13 of SER2 Manual
 
This thread may prove useful also Let the LCS wi-fi games begin
 
You will be on the cutting edge mixing Legacy\LCS with DCS. So, if unusual issues occur with DCS, that may be why. Share what you find to help develop best practices.
MikenMikenOGR Forum Member

MikeCT

 

I like how you laid out your system. I have looked at your other threads.  I think that access to the BPC2 would be easier and it would help in trouble shooting the layout.  I would just have to run more wire, but it would allow for more future options.

 

I like how the old BPC would let you switch power districts and blocks.  I would like to link my blocks to run a conventional engine from my yard to any of the mains.  I think I will do the link with relays and the ASC2. I want to have a layout with full LCS control.  

 

I envision power coming from the 2 PMs going to a relay that would allow me to Send power to the BPC2s from district A or B.  The relay would be triggered from the ASC.  

 

Moonman

I have been using the SER2 with my DCS linked to my Legacy Powermasters in passive mode. Every thing is working very well so far.  I am still learning about the DCS signal propagation, and have been breaking my loops into blocks. The BPC2 wiring will be more like the recommended star wiring.  I get some degradation of signal with my Fastrack switches.  I think that as I add my blocks to my yard, I should over come the switch issues. I was thinking to using a distibution block to inject my DCS signal into the layout after all of BPC2s, but I will see how the signal does going through my maze first.

Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Miken:

MikeCT

 

I like how you laid out your system. I have looked at your other threads.  I think that access to the BPC2 would be easier and it would help in trouble shooting the layout.  I would just have to run more wire, but it would allow for more future options.

 

I like how the old BPC would let you switch power districts and blocks.  I would like to link my blocks to run a conventional engine from my yard to any of the mains.  I think I will do the link with relays and the ASC2. I want to have a layout with full LCS control.  

 

I envision power coming from the 2 PMs going to a relay that would allow me to Send power to the BPC2s from district A or B.  The relay would be triggered from the ASC.  I don't know about the new BPC2 but the old ones had the ability of Double inputs. I my case both TPC's input, (supply power to), the BPC's,  which allows for one TPC to be in conventional mode.

Example:  TPC#1, or Powermaster #1, is in conventional mode.  Blocks #1, #2, #5, and #6 are switched to TPC#1, which is operating in conventional mode, via the handheld remote.  Blocks #3, #4, #7 and #8 are connected to TPC#2 , which is operating in Command mode.  No additional relays needed.   Blocks can also be turned Off. with the BPC's

 ...............................................................................................

 

Last edited by Mike CT
MikenMikenOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Mike CT:
Originally Posted by Miken:

MikeCT

 

I like how you laid out your system. I have looked at your other threads.  I think that access to the BPC2 would be easier and it would help in trouble shooting the layout.  I would just have to run more wire, but it would allow for more future options.

 

I like how the old BPC would let you switch power districts and blocks.  I would like to link my blocks to run a conventional engine from my yard to any of the mains.  I think I will do the link with relays and the ASC2. I want to have a layout with full LCS control.  

 

I envision power coming from the 2 PMs going to a relay that would allow me to Send power to the BPC2s from district A or B.  The relay would be triggered from the ASC.  I don't know about the new BPC2 but the old ones had the ability of Double inputs. I my case both TPC's input, (supply power to), the BPC's,  which allows for one TPC to be in conventional mode.

Example:  TPC#1, or Powermaster #1, is in conventional mode.  Block#1, #2, #5, and #6 are switched to TPC#1, which is operating in conventional mode via the handheld remote.  Blocks #3, #4, #7 and #8 are connected to TPC#2 , which is operating in Command mode.  No additional relays needed.

 ...............................................................................................

 Unfortunately, Lionel removed that feature from the new BPC2. I think they wanted to simplify the wiring.  They allow to power districts, but they cannot be switched with the BPC2. Each district will power four separate blocks.  

 

Last edited by Miken
Mike CTMike CTOGR Forum Member
Originally Posted by Miken:
Originally Posted by Mike CT:
Originally Posted by Miken:

MikeCT

 

I like how you laid out your system. I have looked at your other threads.  I think that access to the BPC2 would be easier and it would help in trouble shooting the layout.  I would just have to run more wire, but it would allow for more future options.

 

I like how the old BPC would let you switch power districts and blocks.  I would like to link my blocks to run a conventional engine from my yard to any of the mains.  I think I will do the link with relays and the ASC2. I want to have a layout with full LCS control.  

 

I envision power coming from the 2 PMs going to a relay that would allow me to Send power to the BPC2s from district A or B.  The relay would be triggered from the ASC.  I don't know about the new BPC2 but the old ones had the ability of Double inputs. I my case both TPC's input, (supply power to), the BPC's,  which allows for one TPC to be in conventional mode.

Example:  TPC#1, or Powermaster #1, is in conventional mode.  Block#1, #2, #5, and #6 are switched to TPC#1, which is operating in conventional mode via the handheld remote.  Blocks #3, #4, #7 and #8 are connected to TPC#2 , which is operating in Command mode.  No additional relays needed.

 ...............................................................................................

 Unfortunately, Lionel removed that feature from the new BPC2. I think they wanted to simplify the wiring.  They allow to power districts, but they cannot be switched with the BPC2. Each district will power four separate blocks.  

 Yes, noted feature from your operators manual has the wiring for two separate inputs, but does not allow for the flexibility that I have.  Lionel BPC2 manual. Wiring diagrams page 20, 21.    Best wishes with your project.   Mike CT

 

Last edited by Mike CT

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