Super Chuffer Installation Question

You can’t use a R4LC in the TMCC R2LC trains.  The electronics are different.  I ask Mike Reagan years ago, that same question & he informed me that I could sell you all the R4LC you want but they will all burn up.  The question I ask was for passenger sound cars, they are R2LC.  You can use a R4LC in the Lionel TMCC water bottles that have R2LC boards in them.

Phillip   

Confused!?! (But that is normal these days!)

I have a PRR Mikado Jr with TMCC and RS5.

It blew the R4LC board and we replaced it with a R2LC.

So, do I take it old is OK in new but new is not ok in old?

For some reason, I thought they were interchangeable.....

Any TMCC vintage locomotives came with R2LC boards, the R4LC boards were developed for the early Legacy stuff.  I believe the major difference was a different processor with more memory to support the enhanced Legacy command set.  The R4LC is pin compatible and with the Cxx firmware is a direct replacement for the R2LC. 

I'm not sure what you're trying to connect, why are you connecting directly to the R2LC?  If you have any connection questions for the S-C board, I suspect I can answer them.

The headlight output from the R2LC goes to pin 3 of the S-C board, I've included the complete pinout of the R2LC below.  The chuff output from the S-C board would be connected to pin 17 of the R2LC as you connect the chuff switch directly to the S-C board.  I believe that's the only wiring to the R2LC board that would change with the S-C board installation.

That is incorrect, the R4LC functionality is determined by the firmware installed on the board.  ERR ships the R4LC with all their products now, but they continue to use the C08 firmware and it's 100% plug compatible.  I have also dropped an R4LC with Legacy S03 firmware into my TMCC test rig (basic TMCC mb) and run it, no problem at all.  Here's the boards I used in my tests.  You'll note they're basically identical in layout.

They are interchangeable Dennis.

No they are not the same; just because it has RS5 doesn’t mean it uses the R4LC boards. I see you used the thinking I had before I talk to Mike.  We both live and learn which way to go next time.

You need to go to Lionel Replacement Parts section and put your Lionel number into it & get the information on what items go into our trains.  That is the safest way.  Less money to spend on the correct part.

Phillip

You obviously miss my point.  Lionel is not producing the R2LC any more, if you order a R2LC-C08, you'll get an R4LC-C08 board.  They are plug compatible, and with the same firmware, they are 100% compatible.  You're free to believe what you like.

Let's agree to disagree on this point, you go your way, and I'll continue to do what works for me. 

As listed a R4LC can be used in most TMCC locos if it has the correct C08 code!!

Otherwise it is for Legacy motor driver boards and sound boards.

R4LC w/ C08 code http://www.electricrr.com/

Lots of us repair folk (such as GGG and myself) have them in stock as well.

Jim

I have yet to find a locomotive that the R4LC-C08 doesn't work in.  I suppose there could be one, I just haven't stumbled over it.  This is one of those never-say-never moments, so I'll admit the possibility.

One thing I clearly dispute is that something will catch fire if you plug an R4LC into a locomotive that has the R2LC, that's pretty far-fetched.

John, No one is disputing a R4LC-C08 will work in TMCC engine.  It will, it is effectively a R2LC.  It is confusing to just say R4LC, because originally R4LC was a Legacy board.

Put a R4LC-S03 in a TMCC engine, and you will have some issues to overcome such as Smoke always on unless a ACREG is used, etc...  Put a R4LC with C08 in a Legacy engine and the Motor driver will not work.  G

Actually George, that's exactly what was said, and that's what started the whole discussion.  Look at the second post of this thread.  I agree that the Legacy firmware creates an issue, though it appears to work in the two examples I tested.  You are, of course, correct in that the smoke doesn't work properly, the other functions seemed to work fine using RS4 boards, standard TMCC DCDR, using he CAB1/BASE1 to drive them.

Obviously, putting the TMCC firmware version in a Legacy locomotive will have lots of problems, never suggested otherwise.

I think we're in 100% agreement.  I've had the R4LC-C08 in a number of TMCC locomotives when swapping out boards as a test, all have worked exactly as expected.  And, perhaps more importantly, none have caught fire or been damaged in any way.