Sensor track issues

Interestingly, only the iPad says polar k4, my cab 2 legacy remote still says southern crescent. Perhaps the issue is only with the sensor track?

I suspect the engine is incorrect.  The CAB2 gets it's info from the orange module unless you used the sensor track to "load" the engine.  The iPad gets it's info from the sensor track as the engine rolls over it.  I suspect if you deleted the Southern from the Cab 2 and roll over the sensor track it would come up as the K4.

Now in the roster on the iPad, how does the Southern read?  That is the one place the iPad gets it's info from the base.

And as far as warranty, I think it would be pretty obvious to customer service that the issue was not a run of the mill problem but a programming issue on Lionel's part.  I hope they would cover this.

The engine is the driving factor at this point.  If the sensor track was faulty, at least per this issue, I suspect you'd get corrupted data and not specific data.  The engine thinks it's a K4.

The sensor track will not go into record mode, which I think would not be an engine issue at all. Right?

No that is a sensor track issue I would think. 

What exactly are the steps you are doing?  

I had the sensor track problem where it would fail to stay in record mode, only flash several times and go off. Other sensor track functions worked. My problem was solved by swapping cables, but it was actually a connection problem. The cable worked ok with another sensor track. Apparently the connector was not making full connection after I put the track back together..

Check your cable connections. The sensor track connector can be easily bent or the cable dislodged. They are just soldered to a pc board and left in the open with no support. Don't depend on keying and try to jam the connector together, it is obvious the connector can go in only one way. Treat them gently. Don't bend the cable 90 degrees near connector, as this may make it pull out.

My problem was with the second sensor track in the chain. Record was the only thing that would not work. If yours is with the first sensor track then you might try swapping the cable in the other sensor track slot.

I love my 3 sensor tracks now that I have them running. I am disappointed with the PDI connectors. They seem to fit tight but don't lock into place. I spent an evening fooling around trying to program and record on the sensor track before finding out I had connection problems. (More than one.) They might look tight, but what happens after you turn the track over and put it back together. I think some others have reported bad cables. I thought I had a bad cable but it worked on 2 of my 3 sensor tracks.

The sensor track is a great product. Lesson learned is make sure to buy some extra cables to swap out.

Agreed, extra cables is A good idea. Green line your posts really helped me narrow down the issue. Glad it was a cable and not sensor track. 

Please keep us informed of the resolution on the engine reporting the wrong information.  I want to know how this could have happened. 

One item to try, set the engine ID again, in program mode.  The tender takes on the identity of the loco when the ID is "set".  It may simply be the tender was not updated properly in program mode.

Thanks for the idea Jon. I tried reprogramming the engine and it still thnks it is a polar k4. Still waiting for holiday season to be over and for a response for customer service. 

Hi Guys

Like most of you I got my new sensor track (and Lionel Legacy shark nose diesel) for christmas gave it a test run on my temporary layout Just an 6ft oval. well it works well apart from it will not accept and program above AUX1-4 I can record and play back OK, it even picked up my loco type after resetting it, its just a niggle thing, nothing major but as its new I will report it to Lionel.

Just wondered if any one else has the same problem???

Keep smiling

Hi Rudy

I set up the sensor track with an ID of 4, Using my Legacy 990 version 1.5, I then went through the steps as in the book, first Aux1 0 to set everything to zero then went to each Aux1 1 up to number 4 each one worked as it said in the book, IE bells, whistles etc. I then tried aux1 5 but no dialog. I turned off the power to the track and system, turned it back on and the dialog played just the once, as the loco went around again there was no dialog.

I repeated this for aux1 6 through to 8, each time the result was the same.

I then Tried it in User recording mode with the record button. Everything worked as it should, This problem is not a major issue, as I can live with it but it would be nice to know if there is a fault?

Many thanks for getting back to me, I really appreciate all the advice and help, as there is no one else in the UK to advise. Happy New Year, I like the Youtube advice/ help /tutorials. I am not using a wifi module yet thats planned for the future.

You need to be running Legacy version 1.52, not 1.5, for LCS to work correctly (So the manual says.).

I played with mine that came with my Big Boy last night, and have a question.  I programed a custom name for the BB, but it got changed back to stock when it rolled over the track.  But when I turned the update base info off per the instructions in the manual, it no longer gave me fuel and water levels.  Is that the case?  The manual doesn't suggest it to be, and it was rather off putting.  I don't want the track to add or updated locomotive properties in the base, but I would love it to tell me the fuel and water levels.

Hi guys

Perhaps I should have been more specific re my Legacy 990 I used the term version 1.5 but it is the latest version 1.52 as this was purchased back in November 2014, I do not have any other issues but this niggle. So far Lionel Customer service have been extremely helpful to me as I am new to 0 scale and I was hypnotised by the crew talk features and bells and whistles of Lionel. (Thanks to Eric's trains). I was a G scale man and had my layout running where it should in the garden, but old age has galloped up on me, now 69(retired Electrician) aches and pains of working on cold building sites and bending down to my garden railway.

Happy New Year and Thanks.

Have you or anyone tried getting any joy from MTH? I had a problem with there IR detectors, emailed them, didn't bother to reply, so sorted it myself

Not sure if I mentioned but My only (at the moment with sensor) Is a NYC SharkNose A Unit also bought the powered B Unit I will set up my test track and try using the slow speed command again. So Will keep you informed.

Hi Guys and Rudy

Well just experimented with my Shark nose on the sensor track, by taking the Sensor track out of the equation by unplugging it from the Legacy (just the supply) The engineer sounds the speed as pressed I E go to slow speed etc. When I plug the supply back in it sounds once only and then it will not sound again. I hope this helps. its getting late here in the UK, must prepare her indoors tea, as she is visiting her mother in hospital, and here I am playing trains. Where would you rather be??????

Thanks again guys

Should also mention that I have Legacy track mobile and speeder but nothing else yet with sensor not until May? I have two steam on order one ten wheeler and the Mohawk

Thanks for the reply Rudy!  But I was afraid that was the answer.  I don't have an iPad, and I have Macs (Go figure, an Apple guy without the defacto tablet.).  Guess I'll leave it be for now and try to hunt down a USB to serial adaptor and try to get Windows in a VM to talk to the Legacy base.

I use Fusion as well on my laptop.  As for the updated, good to know but I don't have the LCS WiFi either.  The Big Boy buy is my 1st jump into the Legacy world, so I have quite a bit of catching up to do.  But it has sold me on Legacy control for sure.

My engine is on its way to Lionel for repair.  I hope it comes back soon and ready to resume work pulling excursions on the layout for the many in the city to visit the Lionel Aquarium

Rudy,

   Thanks for the education, have been following along with this thread, and although I have had no trouble with my Legacy Shay, my 990 now has a problem with the screen going while and not shutting all the way off, I kept an eye on this thread to learn more about the sensor track for one I get one.  Have not started into the WiFi control yet either.

Thanks for the education

PCRR/Dave

I jumped on LCS wifi right away and really like the way it works for controlling the layout.  Sensor track I was not sold on, but with the $10 rebate Lionel was offering it got the price to a place I found more reasonable.  I really like sensor track updating the fuel info on my remote.  Adds great play value for me.  Take the leap and enjoy

One thing I continue to hope for, is a developer that will allow sensor track to handle If/Then type of scenarios.  (I'm still trying to learn to code to do things like this myself, but it is slow going).

Example: if engine passing is a type of switcher, then do nothing.  If engine type is a road diesel, then blow horn.  Not sure if it is possible, but would add a ton more value to the sensor track system and automating a layout.

just got my engine back from Lionel Service.  They were kind enough to repair it for free.  The note said they had to reflash the RCMC (or maybe it said RSMC) board.

Well done Lionel

Having had problems with my sensor track something to do with 50 hz  from 60 hz finally sent me an up date 1.53 on the cab and 0.55 on the base, works as it should. 

cant thank them enough

From The UK