WiFi & Ipad control question??

GVD,

According to the Lionel website (www.lionelsupport.com) this is the complete list:

  6-16824 FASTRACK O36 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16825 FASTRACK O36 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16830 FASTRACK O48 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16831 FASTRACK O48 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16828 FASTRACK O60 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16829 FASTRACK O60 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16826 FASTRACK O72 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16827 FASTRACK O72 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16832 FASTRACK O72 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / WYE

Apparently the latest catalog implies otherwise?

Mike

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

GVD,

According to the Lionel website (www.lionelsupport.com) this is the complete list:

  6-16824 FASTRACK O36 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16825 FASTRACK O36 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16830 FASTRACK O48 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16831 FASTRACK O48 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16828 FASTRACK O60 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16829 FASTRACK O60 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16826 FASTRACK O72 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / LH
  6-16827 FASTRACK O72 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / RH
  6-16832 FASTRACK O72 LEGACY REMOTE SWITCH / WYE

Apparently the latest catalog implies otherwise?

Mike

The latest catalog doesn't appear to have any track information in it.  Pretty typical for a Volume 2.  On the other hand Volume 1 is loaded with switches and track information.

I was under the impression that Lionel was actually dropping the remote-only switches and all of the future product was going to be command enabled.

Lionel hasn't cataloged the remote-only switches since 2015...

I should have said the latest catalog that has switches in it, which is the 2021 v1 big book.

It lists 681948 and 681949 as 048 Remote/Command LH & RH switches. So yes, it does imply otherwise from the list in support section.

So, back to my question of compatibility with the ASC2 controller. If the statement in the manual is correct, it would seem that the only two products currently available don't work together. I was hoping to avoid problems before ordering.

Thanks for input.

Because the current-production switches are remote/command, you don't need to connect them to the ASC2--or to wire them all at--and you will be able to control them from your CAB-2 or your iPad.

@GVDobler posted:

So, back to my question of compatibility with the ASC2 controller. If the statement in the manual is correct, it would seem that the only two products currently available don't work together. I was hoping to avoid problems before ordering.

If you want to control them like remote switches, the command switches work just like the previously available remote switches, so that statement isn't really true.  As stated, the remote/command switches don't need the ASC2 as they already have TMCC capability.  However, if for some unknown reason you wanted not to use their built-in TMCC capability, they would work fine with the ASC2.

Thanks Gunrunnerjohn

Building a simple layout without Legacy or TMCC for Lionchief locomotives only. If at a later time wanted to add Legacy Command, it sounds like it would be okay. Thx

@Keith L posted:

Because the current-production switches are remote/command, you don't need to connect them to the ASC2--or to wire them all at--and you will be able to control them from your CAB-2 or your iPad.

There is a caveat to this. Not to muddy the waters, but if you want the command switch to display it’s correct position on the iPad you will still need to run a wire from the switch to a STM2.  

I used an ASC2 and command switches together just fine.  It works as advertised.

Thanks Marty

  WiFi + Controller + Monitor

@MartyE posted:

There is a caveat to this. Not to muddy the waters, but if you want the command switch to display it’s correct position on the iPad you will still need to run a wire from the switch to a STM2.

Well, we understand now that this is more than the OP needs, but for anyone else who may be interested in this thread, I'll definitely muddy the waters:

Even without a STM2, the iPad app will correctly display the Legacy/TMCC-commanded switch position. Only if a switch is thrown manually or by a non-derailing function will the switch position not be displayed correctly on the iPad app. This is where the STM2 comes in. It reports back the actual switch position from the switch even when it's thrown manually or by a non-derailing function.

I have no experience with the FasTrack switches, so I have no idea if the FT command switches have STM2 capability built in.

@Keith L posted:

I have no experience with the FasTrack switches, so I have no idea if the FT command switches have STM2 capability built in.

They do not.

Sounds like I would have to buy switches not offered since 2015 to make it work. Bummer

To make what work?  I thought you were going for standard remote controls.  In any case, the command Fastrack switch is backward compatible with the previous versions, so I don't see how you have to buy anything special, just buy the command switches currently offered.  They'll do for your current environment, and they're also suitable for the Legacy/LCS environment.

If you're talking about the need to use the STM2, that's a requirement for any switch machine to truly get the actual switch position under all conditions.

Okay, I'm not explaining myself very well.

Simple layout that is powered by a 180W powerhouse for running Lionchief locos only.

Switches controlled by Ipad via Wifi module. An ASC2 to control switches and an STM2 to monitor switch positions.

Reading the ASC2 manual seems to say the currently offered switches won't work.

Thanks

Specifically where in the WiFi manual are you getting the "vibe" that it won't work.

Page 27 of the ASC2 manual state that you should not hook to Remote/Command switches and that is all that is currently offered.

You don't need to connect the Remote/Command switches to ASC2 because they have command capability built into the electronics inside the switch already. Just program them according to the remote/command switch manual, wire them up to the STM2 and you should be able to throw them from the LCS app on your iPad and see their current position regardless of how they were last thrown.

Mike, you didn't read his configuration, he's not using TMCC/Legacy, only the LCS WiFi.  The Fastrack switches are TMCC.

@GVDobler posted:

Page 27 of the ASC2 manual state that you should not hook to Remote/Command switches and that is all that is currently offered.

You're reading too much into the statement!  They just telling you that it's redundant, but they never anticipated anyone running without TMCC/Legacy and using command switches.

They will work fine!

OK - That's a hoot. What's the first question to ask somebody?  "Did you read the instructions?"

I feel better now.

@Keith L posted:

Well, we understand now that this is more than the OP needs, but for anyone else who may be interested in this thread, I'll definitely muddy the waters:

Even without a STM2, the iPad app will correctly display the Legacy/TMCC-commanded switch position. Only if a switch is thrown manually or by a non-derailing function will the switch position not be displayed correctly on the iPad app. This is where the STM2 comes in. It reports back the actual switch position from the switch even when it's thrown manually or by a non-derailing function.

I have no experience with the FasTrack switches, so I have no idea if the FT command switches have STM2 capability built in.

Pretty much my point. Yes it displays correctly without it until it doesn’t. The STM guarantees it’s displayed correctly.  

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Mike, you didn't read his configuration, he's not using TMCC/Legacy, only the LCS WiFi.  The Fastrack switches are TMCC.

I assumed TMCC/Legacy as I didn't know it was possible to run switches and/or accessories via LCS without a legacy base involved. I guess it makes sense if everything is wired to LCS modules. Learned something new!

Sorry for adding to the confusion.

@Mike0289 posted:

I assumed TMCC/Legacy as I didn't know it was possible to run switches and/or accessories via LCS without a legacy base involved. I guess it makes sense if everything is wired to LCS modules. Learned something new!

Sorry for adding to the confusion.

It's not your normal configuration, so it's not surprising that you'd be somewhat confused.

@GVDobler posted:

OK - That's a hoot. What's the first question to ask somebody?  "Did you read the instructions?"

I feel better now.

We say that so we can correct you after you try to do it following the instructions!