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Is there anyone out there who uses one of these controllers?  I think Lou Kovak who originated the track power controller, block power controller, accessory switch controller, and several other TMCC control devices developed this unit.  I bought one years ago, stored it away for future use, and just now tried to install and use it on my layout.  I can't get any output from it, some of the instructions don't make sense, and, Lionel service has no one on staff who knows anything about this controller.  I have posted requests for help on the OGR forem but have not found anyone knowledgeable about this controller.  Please help me if you can!!!

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If you can be more specific, I'll try to help. 

Some general though they sound silly questions - have you attached a PoHo brick?

Have you set the Cab1/Cab2 to recognize the device? does it "blink"? to show your ID assignment is OK as in the instructions. To what have you connected the outputs?

The M - H - L settings would be next once these are cleared up. Think of it as a TPC.

 

Ralph

After reading your post, I tried programming again (probably 10th time), and I got it to work.  For anyone else who encounters one of these;

  I am inputting 17 volts from one output throttle of a postwar zw.

  The hot and commons  from the transformer are wired to the power in,hot and common on the AVC.  

  I have the dat and com connections daisy chained thru 13 tpcs, ascs, and bpc,s.

  The AVC is the last device on the chain.

  The downloaded instructions from Lionel make no mention of the two AVC connections labeled AUX- and AUX+.  I have checked for voltage but have not been able to determine the purpose for these terminals.

   I am also confused about the need to press both AUX1 and AUX2 when programming a voltage.  If you can enlighten me about these, I think I will be able to get some use from the controller.

   Now that it is working, I plan to wire it as the power source for my two linked transfer tables and the eight associated stub sidings.  I may try to find a couple of other accessories I can power from the AVC, recognizing that they will not be available when the transfer tables are active unless they happen to operate acceptably at the sme voltage as the tables ( I'm thinking about 14 volts.

 

          Thank you for responding!!!

OK

The data connection go to the same posts on the AVC like they would on a TPC. The two tposts you describe as AUX +/- are not used on this device or any other device, they were put there for some expansion which has not or never will occur. Ignorne them.  That you must fix first. 

 

Now the bad news. if you are using Legacy there is insufficient power from the serial output for 13 devices. You need a booster. Look up some posts in the forum with my ID or by Dale Manaquen - he sells boosters if he has any left. Another source is a company called B & B. if you get the B & B booster you will need a serial port splitter, splitting the data feed from the base into two chains going to your controllers. 

 

If I you are using TMCC, there might be a bad connection of the data feed.

 

Painful as it sounds put the AVC after the TPCs in sequence.

 

The first device must be an ARC, in all cases. Then add TPC, AVC, BPC, ASC, AMC, OTC. Check after each unit is added that the data feeds are working. 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Ralph

Omitted this. The Cab AUX buttons are used toI set the voltage settings on the AVC. The AVC must be in setup mode the with the AUX buttons and the L M H you set the voltage outputs for the device when you select it with its TR ID.  

 

Your usage plan is a "mixed use" idea. The wiring to the stub tracks, transfer tables and other accessories needs be thought thru. It isn't obvious to me how you would split the output from the AVC to accomplish this And the other accessories as well.  The interaction with the Cab could become confusing for powering the stubs an accessories. I am not sure the transfer table operating controller can work from the Cab control.

 

With respect, it might be simpler to take the AVC ouptput to an accessory bus, let it, thru toggles for the stubs and the accessory switches, operate your items. 

 

Just my observations - no more

 

ralph

 

 

 

Thanks for the info.  I have the AVC working the way I want it.  As to Legacy, I do have a legacy 5.0 system which I plan to use, but I will be using it in conjunction with my TMCC command base and cab1 controller.  Does this setup overload the legacy output?  I have installed a bus from the AVC to a barrier strip in the center of the layout.  The AVC is currently providing a fixed 15 volts to the tables.  I am wiring the stubs in pairs with two stubs controlled by one spdt toggle so only one stub is powered at a time.  I will power the stubs from the AVC bus. I am planning to run the tables at the lowest voltage which works and the stubs will receive the same voltage.  I want the engines to travel from a stub, across the tables and off onto another track at a slow, consistent speed.  I have no plans to try to control the tables from the Cab1. The downside to the transfer table design is that the controller has only one input which is used to power the table motor, and the center track to move the engine.  There is a limit on how low the voltage can be set

and still move heavy locomotives. Unfortunately that may be a higher than desirable

voltage to move the engine across the table.  I am thinking of programming a separate voltage to move the table, and a second voltage for the stubs and table track.  The challenge is to become proficient at toggling between the two voltages.

 Whatcha think?

 

Taylorra

Sorry I wasn't more clear. What you are doing is what I was describing. This is close to the way I have mine setup for my transfer tables and turntables. The proficiency of toggling takes time and patience.

 

I am a bit surprised that the AVC works at the end of the daisy chain of 13 devices off of the Legacy/TMCC serial port. I have a few more devices and it required me to obtain the boosters to get the serial output to provide the proper power for the data/com feeds. I have found there is no set limit in number of devices, but the mix of them is what determines the need for a booster. If your setup is working that is great. Just be aware that if you add another TMCC controller, it might not get the correct data/comm feed.

 

regards

Ralph

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