Legacy Control of FT Command Control Switches

You first must give your switches their own unique ID per the instructions in the switch manual Page 7 or 8.

Then simply address them using the Cab2 SW button and the Aux 1 or Aux 2 buttons.  Once you verify they are operating, you can assign a name to them as well by selecting that ID and pressing INFO.  Name them as you would a locomotive.

You program them the same as many other devices.

• Press the program button on one of the command switches until LED starts blinking.
• On the CAB2, select SW (left key in top row of 5 keys) and key in the switch #, press SET.
• LED will go out on the command switch and it's programmed.

Marty E & Guns,

    As usual you guys are just fantastic, I never thought to look in the switch instructions for programming the switches into the Legacy Cab2, thought those instructions would be in the Legacy Cab2 write up, that is exactly what I wanted to know, now I take it by the CC switch instructions I can number the switches any number I want from 1 thru 99, and the Legacy Cab 2 will remember them once programmed.

Will I have to re-enter them if I loose house power or have the batteries drain for any amount of time, or does loosing power not matter, once the switches are numbered and programed into the Cab2?

PCRR/Dave

My mistake, when I configured mine, was using the "set" that was in the LED part of the 990 and not the "set" button below the speed wheel.  Felt dumb when I finally figured out my mistake.

Marty E,

    One other question I have at this point is, can the Legacy control and run old Conventional engines like the DCS does or will I have to only remote control them thru DCS operation, with only one line running to the tracks, I can not see how conventional trains can be controlled by the Legacy package alone.

PCRR/Dave

The Legacy system alone only controls command locomotives with TMCC or Legacy.  If you want conventional control using the CAB2, you need a Legacy PowerMaster or a TMCC TPC300 or TPC400.

In truth, for command switches, the individual switches remember their ID, not the command base.

Yes the switch will retain the ID. But again to the point once programmed in the Legacy base, and named. The base will remember. 

Guns & Marty E,

    I wondered if the Switches were the Ident memory and not the Cab2, this to me makes more sense now.  So eventually if I want to run older conventional engines from the Legacy I will also need and old TMCC TPC 300 or 400 added to the Legacy set up.

Bummer I actually thought they incorporated this in the newer 990 Legacy package.

PCRR/Dave

Good point Marty, I don't routinely name the switches, but that is certainly true. 

Do your switches move around on you?

or a ZW-C or ZW-L for manual voltage control for conventional running.

Marty E,

   I doubt seriously if I name my switches on the midsized Christmas layout, however in the future if I construct another larger multi level layout, naming the switches could come in very handy, thanks for the education.  Putting a name like 2nd Lev SW#1, or 1st lev SW#5, would definitely be useful.

PCRR/Dave

Gentlemen,

   What is the going cost for a used TMCC TPC300 or 400 these days, to use with the 990 Legacy.

PCRR/Dave

Unless you need high power, the most cost effective solution is the Legacy PowerMaster, handles 180 watts and installation is just plugging it in.

With the TPC, you have to wire to the serial port and daisy chain if you already have something on the serial port, more trouble.

Guns,

   Ok what is the cost of a Legacy PowerMaster?

PCRR/Dave

Looks like around $73 at Wholesale Trains.

Guns,

  Thanks that's not bad at all, guess I will need to pick up a new one, maybe for Christmas!

PCRR/Dave