Wiring MTH AIUS and LIONEL SC1 AND SC2 FOR SWITCHES

Jerry,

Are you saying you wish to connect your AIU to the SC1 or SC2 since the Lionel switches are already attached to the SC1, and SC2?   Don't do it.

Just hook up everything to the AIU and run your layout from your DCS remote.

The switches will wire the same.  Keep the voltage plugs wired as they are.

Then on the AIU, 1= straight 2= curved and the last connection your common(ground).

By having your switches and accessories on one system (aiu) it simplifies your operation.

Finally, the wire you're using for your switches is just fine as it's just control wire to trigger the switch. 

This is how I do it.  My Lionel switches are operated thru my MTH AIU.  It makes life easy.  I don't have any Legacy on my layout so I run even y Lionel TMCC trains thru the DCS remote.

Jerry A posted:

...

I am now adding MTH AIU 's to control the SAME  switches which are currently controlled by SC1 and SC2 so I can run Lionel and MTH at DIFFERENT times. 

Curious about your emphasis/definition of "DIFFERENT times"?   That is, Lionel and MTH engines can run at the same time on a given track.  So do you simply choose to operate only Lionel engines (using the Lionel remote) in a given session...and then only MTH engines (using the MTH remote) in a different session?

In general I see nothing wrong with having multiple paths to control switches.  A lot of layouts have, for example, the supplied manual-lever switch controllers wired along with a remote-controlled switch controller box. 

I agree with Stan. I have just finished wiring a bunch of 022 (and other) switches to 2 separate AIU's. I wired them in parallel with the normal switch lever actuators, which were wired up years ago. I see no reason why you can't wire the AIU switch connections in parallel to the existing SC1 and SC2 units just as easily. I don't have any of the latter installed, but from what I know they are just an electronically controlled set of momentary relays, just like the AIU's. The only difficulty would be if by some chance an SC1 and an AIU were both trying to operate the same switch at the same time, in different directions. But from your description of operation that is highly unlikely.

I used stranded #22 multi conductor wire to bring all the connections from the AIU's over to where the lever controllers are. Solid wire would be way easier to use since you would not have all the cat whiskers to take care of when you are inserting the wires into the terminals. I wound up tinning all the wire ends to prevent trouble.

Rod

Great replies, 

Much much thanks as always, Jerry

EscapeRocks posted:

Jerry,

 

Are you saying you wish to connect your AIU to the SC1 or SC2 since the Lionel switches are already attached to the SC1, and SC2?   Don't do it.

Just hook up everything to the AIU and run your layout from your DCS remote.

The switches will wire the same.  Keep the voltage plugs wired as they are.

Then on the AIU, 1= straight 2= curved and the last connection your common(ground).

By having your switches and accessories on one system (aiu) it simplifies your operation.

Finally, the wire you're using for your switches is just fine as it's just control wire to trigger the switch. 

This is how I do it.  My Lionel switches are operated thru my MTH AIU.  It makes life easy.  I don't have any Legacy on my layout so I run even y Lionel TMCC trains thru the DCS remote.

 

Just because you only run DCS that makes wiring only for DCS control of the turnouts the better way to go???

Are you powering the SC 1 & 2 independent of track power, using the included power supplies? I see no reason why you couldn't tap into the switch runs near the SC-s as long as you have no backfeed or power bleed.

You can't use the SC connector terminals because one of the directions will be open and the AIU circuit will die there.

Edit: that may work, the wires will be touching.

Graz,

What I meant was, is my Lionel Locos are TMCC, and   I don't have any Legacy locos that need the Legacy remote to access the Legacy features.    I actually have more Lionel TMCC locos than I have MTH Proto 2 or 3 locos.    Since my DCS system can run TMCC just fine (with the proper TMCC to TIU cable), that's why I went with the AIU for my switches and accessories rather than SC1 or SC2.    That way I don't have to use the CAB 1 to throw the switches.   Before I got DCS, I did use SC1 for switches.  Both systems are fine. However, since DCS can run my TMCC and not the other way around, I wired for DCS, and simply added the TMCC signal into the chain after the TIU.

I still pick up my CAB1 now and then when running just my TMCC stuff.

David,

Yes, I understand. However, your advice to the original poster was to go strictly with DCS for the turnout control. While that plan happened to fit your scenario, it doesn't fit his at all since he's already invested heavily in SC-1's, SC-2's and has them already wired and he's looking to have control from both systems.

Yes,

I do have many  SC1 and SC to switch controllers operating 34 switches. I am now going to add DCs and want to  wire  the AIU directly to the SC1and SC2 controller inputs . I feel the wires will be touching that go directly to the switches. This will save me a lot of effort and wiring. I will not be running TMCC and DCS at the same time. When I run TMCC I will use my cab 1l and when I use this yes I will use my MTH remote. I hope I made myself a little clearer. Please comment on this.

Much thanks, Jerry

It should work fine. Just be sure that straight and curved agree on both systems.

The controllers are relay contacts and you can have parallel hookups; either this or that control.

Just a minor note, the SC1 does not use relays but instead uses triacs.  In this case it doesn't actually matter, but just for information.  

There is no reason I can think of that you can't use short jumpers between the AIU and SC1 or SC2 to parallel both units to control the same switches... and as far as my brain is letting me think, there should be no problems using both systems at the same time.  you can think of it as having 2 light switches connected in parallel to one light bulb:  if either switch is turned on the light will come on, or if both switches are on the light will still come on.  the only problem would be if you tried to throw a switch one way with one system and the other way with the other system at the same time, and with the AIU and SC2 even that is unlikely to damage anything.  It may, however cause the switch motor/solenoid to draw excessive current that could damage a SC1's wimpy triacs.  

JGL

Much thanks for all your input. Appreciate it very much.

Jerry