Using Legacy Cab 2 to control Atlas switches would it be better to use ASC or SC2!
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ASC requires wired TMCC control from a command base. (4 switches)
SC2 is wireless, operates like an engine, only has to be near track signal. (6 switches)
Lionel recommends using the ASC with Atlas switch machines. See Mike Reagan's video:
The Mike Reagan video was done a while back. Neither of those products is in the current Lionel LCS. Since you have a Legacy command base why not use the ASC2? I used them for all turnout motors, there are Tortoise and DZ2500's on the layout. I am not familiar with any unique issues to the Atlas turnout motors but Lionel now makes the CSM2 to simplify connections to the DZ2500 with its issues on reporting back the turnout position to the LCS..
Atlas turnout motors are prone to burnout if the intermittent power is too long, there were later add-ons and timed-out pieces to correct this. DZ 1000's or 2500's have a built-in disconnect switch to limit switch motor power. Big problem with TMCC and Legacy is the control frequency is different. The reason for still using the original TMCC command base.
I had 52 Atlas Switches on my last Layout, all operated with ASC2,s. They were in operation for over 10 Years with no problems or burnouts!! What else can I say ???
Fredstrains
Mike CT posted:Big problem with TMCC and Legacy is the control frequency is different. The reason for still using the original TMCC command base.
What exactly are you talking about here? I know of no differences between the track signal frequency or the serial data speed between the original TMCC command base and the Legacy base. The one difference in the serial data is the TMCC base uses a non-standard RS-232 uni-polar voltage drive, and the Legacy base uses a standard RS-232 bi-polar voltage driver chip. The baud rate, however, is the same for either command base. The offshoot of the difference in the RS-232 drive ends up making the TMCC command base capable of driving more loads than the Legacy base, simply because they used a 0-5V serial output voltage driven by a transistor.
FWIW, the difference between the remote and command base communication frequencies has no bearing on this discussion.
Glad you cleared that up, so we all could understand the problem 
AmFlyer posted:Since you have a Legacy command base why not use the ASC2? I used them for all turnout motors, there are Tortoise and DZ2500's on the layout.
The DZ2500 doesn't need the ASC2, it receives the TMCC serial data directly.
The DZ-2001 Data Wire Driver is used to buffer the command base serial output and allow you to drive multiple switch machines without overloading the command base serial output. It also has a connector to allow connecting your other serial devices after the buffered serial data is tapped off on the data wires.
Thanks John. Just FYI my LCS installation does not use the DZ2001, and the CSM2 was at that time not available. The surface mounts, DZ2500, are controlled by an ASC2; a DZ2008 relay is used to control a second relay that has two functions. First it switches the 10A track power to the frog (2 rail layout), second it sends the turnout position signal to the STM2 for input back to the LCS so it is always correctly displayed on the iPad. The CSM2 eliminated the need for the independent turnout position input for the 2500's but it came out a year after the layout was completed. The wiring for the Tortoise machines is much simpler.
Tom, I take it you're not using the TMCC compatibility of the DC2500, just using the push button interface?
FWIW, I think I'll have to do some power switching for a few of my Ross switches, I think the Double Slip Switch will require it for sure, and I'm guessing some of the other longer switches may as well. My Ross adventure is just beginning, I have more than $4,000 of track and switches laying on the table, lots of fun ahead! 
John, the layout has no physical controls of any kind, the one exception is the turntable. I elected to use the manufacturer supplied control panel. Everything else is controlled with an iPad, I have 3 in the room for multiple operators. The trains run with either Cab2's or iPhones. I prefer the Cab2.
I have been following your layout progress in the other thread. It is already impressive. Good luck with the double slip switch, I do not have one but they look really cool.
It so happened that the double slip switch solves a switching problem in the space I had for it. I originally had switches strung out to do the job, this worked much better. That switch and another one have to fit totally on the lift bridge segment, so it was a neat solution. I've never used one either, can't wait to see how it works out.
