Originally Posted by Ken M:
Where is the cheapest place to buy the sensor track?
Thank You
Ken M
Nassau hobby has it's 15% sale till this Friday.
As I alluded to earlier, once you buy one you can do with it what you want. I have adapted mine using adapter sections.
Originally Posted by Trainman9:
Originally Posted by Craignor:
Marty,
is the sensor track compatable with other track systems? like MTH Realtrax? Are there any plans for adapter tracks?
I think you could use the existing Fastrack to tubular transition piece for the time being and then use adapter pins to go to Gargraves and Ross track. Might not look too good but it should work.
IMO it's not at all that big but your needs may vary.
Originally Posted by Moonman:
Railsounds,
How large is the end of the connecting cable for the LCS?
I am guessing I would need a 1/2" hole in the deck for it, two if it's daisy chained to another device.
I wish the connector would have been smaller.
The connector cable is shorter, narrower and thinner than a usb. The picture posted of the cable on this thread is not to scale and looks bigger than it is.
Once I get one in hand, I'm going to check and see how much trouble to use it with Atlas track. I suspect I can transplant the guts and have it working without having a chunk of Fastrack in the middle of the line.
It would be interesting to see if there was patent issues as you are actually buying their unit and using it. Kinda' like giving it a "super" paint job. 
Originally Posted by Ken M:
Where is the cheapest place to buy the sensor track? ...
I'm sure any of the forum sponsors would appreciate your business. How would we like it if we were on a job interview, and a prospective employer asked us, "What's the cheapest we need to pay you to work here?".
Sorry... Just a hot button of mine.
David
Originally Posted by Miken:
The connector cable is shorter, narrower and thinner than a usb. The picture posted of the cable on this thread is not to scale and looks bigger than it is.
A usb connector is 15.7mm or .618" plus the molded part. So, a 1/2" hole would be easy clearance if it is slightly smaller. That's still a big hole and you need two or maybe 1- 3/4" hole to daisy chain.
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Originally Posted by Moonman:
Railsounds,
How large is the end of the connecting cable for the LCS?
Moonman, the LCS PDI cable connector end is about 12mm x 6 mm.
Attached is a photo showing an LCS PDI connector and USB connector side-by-side.
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They are smaller than they appear in the other photo, glad you posted that. 
Thanks for info, Rudy. Ok, only 1 - 1/2" hole for two cables, 1 first, then the second.
Ok, surprised nobody started this. Conversion to Ross track.
- Gargraves ------------------------------ Ross -
I chose Ross track because of the way it is constructed vs Gargraves. My layout is Gartraves track with Ross switches.
Bottom view of LCS sensor track.
Top view of sensor board. Clean except for the sensors.
This is where it would have to be placed under the track so the sensors are between the rails. It is slightly further back from the track than the Fastrack. I will also have to slightly enlarge the space between the ties for the sensors. May have to shave the bottom of the ties to get the sensor closer.
Also, when installed on the layout I will have to have a removable cover over the buttons and leds.
Will play more later.
Dan
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I'd be tempted to mount the sensors separately and remote the main board so I didn't have to have it directly below the track.
Personally I think you'd have to remove the ties all together to fit the circuit board. Otherwise how does the track sit on the platform?
That's why I'd mount the sensor separately, I think it'll looks much better that way.
I'm talking about the circuit board the sensors are on. If you mount that to the bottom of the ties, unless you are using cork roadbed and cutting it out, will be in the way of the ties contacting the platform.
And of course there are the PID cables that need to be connected.
John, the best way may be to remote/extend the sensors especially if you track is already in and ballasted. Just drill two holes with the proper spacing and mount below. Lionel should sell the board with the sensors on wired extensions. This method could be used with any track system. Lionel would not be in the business of selling other track systems.
I also removed the spikes in the Ross track where I am mounting the sensor. The ties are glued to the track.
Dan
Marty, My track is mounted on homasote. I will be carving a spot below the track for the board and cables.
Dan
Gotcha!
Thanks. It all makes sense now.
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
Marty, My track is mounted on homasote. I will be carving a spot below the track for the board and cables.
Dan
IDK Dan. Seems Lionel has done enough. They made a pretty cool device. Perhaps in the future but I think for now it is what it is. Personally I do think the best route for hitting as many track systems as you can is to make a package of sensor and cntrl boards that can snap or mount to any system.
Dan keep us posted on the progress.
Originally Posted by loco-dan:
I don't think I will be extending the IR transceiver.
Lionel should offer the IR transceivers on extender cables. This would make installation much easier.
Dan
This is one of the main reasons that I LOVE this forum. You guys have things modified or hopped up while an items is hitting the streets.
I wondered how all of this is going to work, and now I am starting to see it develop. I have my sensor and I am just going to wait out the weekend before I start on mine. By Sunday evening, you guys will have this thing fitting every track system known to man.
Did I say I love this forum. 
I'd like to know what sensor they're using, that way a little board could be built to extend them.
Havin' some fun! I can see me buying these for crossings and some yard entries and exits.
I don't have a sensor track section "yet" but I use Fastrack so a conversion won't be an issue for me. One other thought for those who don't want or are not comfortable making a mod for the sensor track is the transition pieces and sensor track could possibly be hidden by a small building,tunnel or scenery material so it wouldn't look out of place with a big chunk of Fastrack in the middle.
Originally Posted by Chris Lonero:
... One other thought for those who don't want or are not comfortable making a mod for the sensor track is the transition pieces and sensor track could possibly be hidden by a small building,tunnel or scenery material so it wouldn't look out of place with a big chunk of Fastrack in the middle.
Good minds think alike, Chris. I saw these at a LHS yesterday and thought... Hhmmm, this could work just fine. I'll be using Atlas-O track for the O-Gauge portion of my new layout with painted Ross-bed, so the difference may not be that noticeable at all. Clean and simple... Or so I'm hoping!!!
David
What's the issue with using the sensor track and the dz2500 switch machines? I read earlier in this thread that they are not compatible? My layout is all Ross track and switches. 2500 switch machines using the dz2001 data wire driver. Since I use Ross roadbed, my hope was to transplant the electronics into the Ross roadbed.
The only issue right now is without the SER2, there is no way to access the serial buss while using the sensor track.
The 2001 serial driver plugs into the legacy base. It has a port on the other end. Can't the lcs cables just plug into the other end of the 2001 data driver?
I agree 100%. A little work and blending and its pretty easy. I think folks who will have the hardest time is those who track is directly mounted to a wood platform where you can't carve out the space for the FT section.
Nice tutorial.
Originally Posted by Moonman:
Much ado is being made about converting this sensor track. It's really very simple. The cosmetics blending and rail height matching are the most difficult part. If you have roadbed and ballast, not so bad then.
Joe
I'm not familiar with the 2001 DD. I suspect once the west coast opens for business Rudy (Railsounds) will be able to give you the answer.
Originally Posted by Joe Fermani:
The 2001 serial driver plugs into the legacy base. It has a port on the other end. Can't the lcs cables just plug into the other end of the 2001 data driver?
Joe,
I looked at my setup and I agree with you as far as using the DZ Data Driver with the Sensor Track. Attach the DZ2001 to the command base, and then attach the LCS cabling to the DZ2001. My issue is not being able to use all my other non-Legacy components: TPCs, ASCs, BPCs, etc.
ADDED: I'm looking at using a Rs232 male to two female DB9 splitter. I'd attach the Rs232 to the Command Base, the LCS cables to one end and the DZ2001 to the other end with the rest of my components attached to the DZ2001. Not sure if splitting the signal will be a problem, but I do have MANCO Signal Booster which should help.
ADDED2: RATS, just read Railsounds comment.
Ron
Originally Posted by Joe Fermani:
The 2001 serial driver plugs into the legacy base. It has a port on the other end. Can't the lcs cables just plug into the other end of the 2001 data driver?
No, they can't. The connectors are the same, but the data stream is not. An LCS SER2 will be required.
Originally Posted by CAPPilot:
Joe,
I looked at my setup and I agree with you as far as using the DZ Data Driver with the Sensor Track. Attach the DZ2001 to the command base, and then attach the LCS cabling to the DZ2001. My issue is not being able to use all my other non-Legacy components: TPCs, ASCs, BPCs, etc.
Ron
The SER2 will let you use your existing, non-legacy serial components in conjunction with a new Layout Control System installation (for example, one SensorTrack).
Concur with how the SER2 works. As far as I'm concerned, until the SER2 is released I have no need to buy any LCS components.
Ron
The SER2 and WiFi modules are due into our facility this week to early next week. The wait is almost over!
Originally Posted by SantaFeFan:
The SER2 and WiFi modules are due into our facility this week to early next week. The wait is almost over!
FANTASTIC!
Hopefully, the Legacy #990's will arrive with them!
Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:
Hopefully, the Legacy #990's will arrive with them!
Given the history surrounding the 990, let's hope the LCS stuff isn't on the same boat!!! 
We wouldn't want the pirates to grab the LCS too.
On the topic of the purpose of the SER2 - am I correct in assuming the SER2 will also be necessary if I want to interconnect the Legacy command base with a DCS TIU using the TIU/TMCC-Legacy connector cable?
