TMCC - ARC CONTROLLER - WIRING

The size of wire from the command base is a non-issue, it could be #22 and be just fine.  It could be even smaller.   There's no significant current flowing in any of the connections to the ARC.

A relay should work fine to activate the location sensing.  They are looking for an applied voltage, so you need power to the center rail with an insulated track to allow the sensing to work. 

The statement at the bottom of page 16 tells the tale.

The track sensor input operates with any voltage from 3-20 volts (AC or DC). Any
circuit that applies this voltage across the track sensor inputs will operate it.

Thanks John

I was interested into the wire from the ARC to the insulated rail. 18AWG?

Also, did the idea of cutting the center rail pin to make the track insulated make sense?

Ralph

Actually, you don't want to cut the center rail.  They're trying to impress a voltage across the sensor input.  The center rail is one side, when the train rolls across the standard insulated section (outer insulated rail), it will add the common side and activate the sensor.  The gauge of the wire is insignificant, only signal level current will flow.  #22 or #24 telephone wire is plenty.

Thanks John

Appreciate your help

Ralph

I just noticed that the manual ARC shows the 'daisy chain' of Com and Dat differently than the manual for the BPC controllers. 

The ARC manual shows using the AX+ and AX- to chain the wires to the next controller in the line. The next controller in my layout is the BPC which shows that the AX+/AX- are not used for daisy chaining but that two wires are inserted into the DAT and COM posts.

Can I use the AX+ and AX- to daisy chain the DAT/COM much like it works for power A/U or is this something unique to the ARC? Or do I just have an older manual/controller. They are the Lionel, not IC models.

Thanks in advance.

I confuse myself very easily

Ralpy

you connect the :

Com from the ARC - to the Com on the BPC  

TXA from the ARC - to the Dat on the BPC

The question is about the Daisy Chain forward to other controllers.

Ralph

You do not use the  AX+ & AX- .  There is only an input for Dat & Com on each controller.  Instead of a 'daisy chain', run 1 lead from the ARC with Dat & Com feeders to each controller.

Thanks william

I just contacted Lionel and they advise the picture in the manual I have is incorrect. That might be future, but not now. Appreciate your help.

Ralph

I was going to mention that the AX+ & AX- are not used.  They are for some future development. ooh, wonder what that is?

There is an input to the Com port on the ARC from the Command base cable, as well as an output from the Com port on the ARC to the next controller/BPC.  2 wires into the Com port on the ARC.

There is an output only from the TXA port on the ARC to the Dat port on the next controller/ BPC.  1 wire into the TXA port on the ARC.