Running a Lionel Plug-n-Play Sawmill on MTH

Yes it is just like the original.  Just wire on a switch on one of the leads going to the transformer.  The plug and play accessories just have that connector on them to make it convenient, but that is the only difference.  

So is it possible to keep lights on the building operating when the sawmill isn’t running?  How would that get wired?

The instructions say there are 2 LED lights (probably exterior) and that, to activate the sawmill you have to assign it a number using the CAB remote - not sure exactly what that is.  That’s why I assumed that hooking it up to power won’t actually activate it.  I can try tonight when I get home.  I haven’t hooked it up yet as I’m not sure if it will work and want to be able to return it if it won’t.  

The CAB remote is the Lionel control system.  If you're running MTH, you don't have it.  If you did, you could activate it from your remote.  This is not necessary.

Just wire it up to power as Sean said, with a simple toggle switch.  I don't know if your LED's will stay on without turning the whole unit on, but, they should.

Jerry

Oh ok, yeah.  There are 2 blinking Red leds that blink when sawmill is running (to simulate real warning lights at a sawmill that the saw is in operation).  So they operate with the sawmill.

Also, you have the Command Control version, not the regular one, so they are referencing a command control system to operate it (turn it on and off)  Either a TMCC Cab1 or Legacy Cab-2.  Do you have those systems?  

So could I use an MTH Accessory Interface Unit to control it if I were to upgrade to that?

JerryG posted:

The CAB remote is the Lionel control system.  If you're running MTH, you don't have it.  If you did, you could activate it from your remote.  This is not necessary.

Just wire it up to power as Sean said, with a simple toggle switch.  I don't know if your LED's will stay on without turning the whole unit on, but, they should.

Jerry

Jerry,

To clarify, will wiring the hot and common wires turn it on whenever they’re connected?  In other words, if I keep power always on the sawmill will constantly run?  But using a switch will only make it run when I want?

Thanks for all the help!

Seth

SandJam posted:

TUGreystones posted:

JerryG posted:

The CAB remote is the Lionel control system.  If you're running MTH, you don't have it.  If you did, you could activate it from your remote.  This is not necessary.

Just wire it up to power as Sean said, with a simple toggle switch.  I don't know if your LED's will stay on without turning the whole unit on, but, they should.

Jerry

Jerry,

To clarify, will wiring the hot and common wires turn it on whenever they’re connected?  In other words, if I keep power always on the sawmill will constantly run?  But using a switch will only make it run when I want?

Thanks for all the help!

Seth

No it will not run.  It is controlled by the computer board on the Command Control versions.  The power leads are hot 100% of the time, but until it receives the Command it will not turn on.  These require a Lionel command system to run.

Thanks, Sean, for setting us straight.   Mine is a lot older model, but, I never heard of this one.  Seems odd that you can't run it plain, without the electronics. 

Does anyone have a video of the command/control sawmill in action?

Jerry

Found a link.  Long video (20 minutes) with fixes.

https://youtu.be/A0IOS9u49TA

JerryG posted:

Found a link.  Long video (20 minutes) with fixes.

https://youtu.be/A0IOS9u49TA

Haha , yeah that is my video.  

SandJam posted:

JerryG posted:

Found a link.  Long video (20 minutes) with fixes.

https://youtu.be/A0IOS9u49TA

Haha , yeah that is my video.  

Hahaha.  Now, THAT is funny!  BTW, that's a **** good video!