Thinking about my future layout and trying to understand what can control what.
I will start by saying I prefer the MTH DCS.
I have the following or plan on purchasing:
40-1000A - Z1000 Brick
50-1002 - DCS Remote Control Handheld Unit
50-1003 - DCS Track Interface Unit (TIU)
50-1004 - DCS Accessory Interface Unit (AIU) - plan on purchasing this if necessary
6-14295 - #990 LEGACY® Command Set (includes #991 LEGACY CAB-2 Remote Controller and #992 LEGACY Command Base/Charger)
6-81326 - LCS Serial Converter 2 (SER2) - plan on purchasing this if necessary
6-81639 - LCS Accessory Switch Controller 2 (ASC2) - plan on purchasing this if necessary
Have or will purchase all the cables necessary to connect all these together.
Note: I am currently running the MTH DCS as my primary system with the Lionel LEGACY Command Base connected to the MTH TIU Variable Out1.
6-32923 - 1.8 Amp (36 Watt) Accessory Transformer; can I use this to power some of the accessories?
6-14198 - CW-80 80-watt Transformer (from Ready-To-Run Sets; have two; can I use this to power some of the accessories?)
I have Lionel O-36, O-60, and O-72 command control switches and all Lionel FasTrack.
I have several Lionel trackside accessories - some are non-lighted; some are lighted using track power; and some are "Plug-Expand-Play".
I do not - yet - have any MTH trackside accessories.
Have some Menards buildings (these are typically run off 4.5-volt power supplies).
I have some Lionel conventionals, some TMCC, and some LEGACY locos.
Also have some MTH PS2 and PS3 locos (I might have some conventioal MTH; have't checked but don't think it makes a difference).
I'm thinking I may need to purchase TWO ASC2 (one for accessories and a second one for Lionel Command Control switches as I think I read I can only have the ASC2 set to accessories OR aswitches; not both - unless I can control the switches and accessories from the MTH AIU.
It's my understanding that I can not control all the LEGACY functions using the MTH DCS remote (thanks for that advice @gunrunnerjohn) so that's why I'm guessing I have to purchase the Lionel SER2.
The future room I think my layout will be built in is supposed to be about 12'x12'.
My preference would be to run as much as possible using any parts of the MTH DCS.
Would like to connect all my accessories as follows:
Some powered all the time, i.e., Classic Automatic Gateman (6-81063), Command Control Culvert Loader (6-82029), and Command Control Culvert Unloader (6-82030).
Ability to turn on the lights when I'm simulating nighttime running, i.e., Plug-Expand-Play Double Floodlight Tower (6-82013)
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