Please Help. need info on powering the Lionel SC-2 Switch and Accessory Controller to use with the MTH operating fire station operation!

Any chance you could make that picture readable?

 

See response in your duplicate thread over in TMCC.  I can't imagine you need two AC transformers, but I don't know the exact wiring for that accessory.

FLEMMING,

Would like a copy of that TIPS-TOOLS-TECHNIQUES!!

 

Can't read it on the Forum

 

Thanks,

 

Fredstrains

 

fstanda@cox.net

 

You should be able to use the wall wart topower the SC-2. Then you will be wiring amomentary switch for thefire truck and a on off switch for the lights using the SC-2.

 

Doug

What issue of CTT did that article come from?  I'll try to scan it and provide a better picture.

 

Doug

 

just found it, that's better.

 

Maybe John can chip in if necessary.  I will read it.  I remember from when I last wired a firehouse that you have to get the right orientation of the connections from the bottom of it.

 

Doug

 

 

Doug N.

 

Thanks so much. I now have a copy I can READ!!

Thanks again!!!

 

Fredstrains

That's better!

 

You can use a single transformer for both of the power A and common U connections.  All of the relay contacts (except for channel 1) are totally isolated from the power that powers the SC-2. 

 

There is a mod which involves cutting the common that goes to the first output to isolate that relay as well, this is done to allow Fastrack switches to be used on channel 1.

 

For your purposes, any channel except channel 1 will work fine and there will be no conflicts with a single supply.

IN fig 2 what does it mean when showing wires from the  A and U on the SC-2 going to power supply (7-20VAC) this part i dont understand... since A and U from the terminal goes to power supply  (lights and accessories)

Flemming

 

I found your email in my SPAM bin...  that is power for the SC2 to operate.  It could go to the same power source as the accessories.

 

You can power it from the wall pack or an accessory transformer.  Mine is powered from my track as there is no outlet nearby.

 

Page 6 and 7

what is the best wire gauge to use for wiring this accessory above and what does it mean in 2. turn on accessory power or plug in wall pack used to power the SC-2

 

I use phone wire to wire the fire station 20-22. 

 

The SC-2 is a powered switch therefore it needs power to operate, it's not mechanical.  I use the wall wart to power the switch.  Then you have to power the accessory from the transformer.  You can power both from yourtransformer I just don't do it.  The SC-2 booklet should explain this.

 

Doug

Since I run command, I typically connect the SC-2 to the track supply, it's everywhere on the layout.

 

Solid or stranded will make no difference in operation.

 

Can I use the 6-32923 Lionel 1.8 Amp Transformer to power the lights by running wires from the fire station to the 6-Position Dual-Row Barrier Strips and wires from the  6-Position Dual-Row Barrier Strips to the 1.8 Amp Transformer will the the transformer be enough power to power the lights ??

Hard to believe that's not enough power, I'd go for it.

If i ran the 6-12053 Accessory Power Wire from a fastrack to the Auxiliary on the SC-2 will it power the SC-2

Yep, it'll work just fine.  I have two of them powered from the track in that manner.  Just make sure to connect the track common to the correct terminal.

 

Note that you can't run Fastrack switches from channel 1 unless you do the mod that cuts the ground between the aux power input and the first channel.

I am running Accessories only no switches

No problem in that case.  Just remember that track common is also common on input #1 if you have a separate power supply for accessories. 

 

what is best to use to clean the tracks

I use 99% Isopropyl Alcohol and a rag.

What is Accessory 1 and 2 use for on the SC-2

All the channels are basically created equal, with the exception of the common from the power being wired to channel 1.  I actually cut that away on all my SC-2 boxes so all the channels were identical.  From the manual, it has three programmed settings.

 

The SC-2 is designed for three operating modes:

1. Control four switches through the left and center terminal blocks. Control two momentary and two on/off accessory functions through the right terminal block.
2. Control six switches using all three terminal blocks.
3. Control six momentary and six on/off accessory functions using all three terminal blocks.

I also have the LIONEL covered lighted bridge and the  MTH blinking Arch bridge do wire them to the accessory  terminal  block 2 for  accessory 2 just like the diagram on page 19 of the SC-2 manual. since the fire station is it going to be connected to accessory terminal  block 1 for accessory  1 on the SC-2 i dont understand this part on page 20 of the SC-2 manual  id#2 automatically assigned does this mean i press 2 for the LIONEL covered lighted bridge and the  MTH blinking Arch bridge the aux 2 to turn on and off the lights since the fire station  is going to be set as accessory 1

 

 

You can power two accessories from one channel as you say.  Aux1 will activate the momentary to common connection, and Aux2 will toggle the on/off connection.  These can be independent accessories, noting that they share a common return.  Both of these accessories would use the same accessory # in the configuration, and they'd be wired to the same three connection block on the SC-2.

 

The accessory # are sequential, each of the connection blocks on the SC-2 is numbered separately, however the momentary and on/off connection to a single connection block share the same accessory #.

 

I'm not familiar with those two particular accessories.  As long as one of those accessories requires a momentary contact and the other requires an on/off contact, you have it correct.

Since the second terminal block is automatically assigned as ID# 2. Do I press 2 then AUX 1 for the fire Engine and AUX 2 to turn interior lights of the fire station

Yep, you got it.

 

In his picture, he obviously has this programmed for all accessories.  If you have four switches and two accessories, the right hand two terminal blocks are Acc #1 at the top and Acc #2 at the bottom.  The switches would use the four left hand connection blocks.

 

Yes, you need the external power if you're not using switches.  The SC-2 was designed in the era where the 022 and it's cousins were king, so even Fastrack switches require a separate PS.  I'm sure stuff like Atlas would too.

 

Any AC supply from 12 to 20 volts will power the SC-2, it's not that picky.  I have one that puts out 200ma at 12 volts, it works fine with that.

My lionel SC-2 is powered by track power can i use the CW-80 80-Watt Transformer by running wires from the fire station to the terminal strip then wires from the terminal strip to A and U on the CW-80 80-Watt Transformer but confused on the back of the CW-80 80-Watt Transformer it shows track A and U / Accessory B and U does this mean i connect wire from the terminal strip to B and U on the transformer i am trying to do this right