I have DCS routed through MTH terminal blocks to star pattern wiring. I use Atlas O track and turnouts. Each DCS channel is powered by its own PH180 brick and the DCS itself is powered by a Z500. Lionel just started delivering Legacy and I received mine tonight. Is there a simple way to hook the two systems together so they both are fully functional? Thanks. Peter
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Each channel of the TIU output "black" should be connected to the outside rails. Connect all of the black (not red) posts together. Connect the one wire from legacy to the outside rail connection. Works Great.
Longtime DCS/TMCC/Legacy user.
Dan
Peter,
Just connect the legacy "one wire" to each of your terminal block Common entry terminals (one connection per terminal block).
If you also want to operate TMCC engines and Legacy engines (in TMCC mode) from the DCS Remote, purchase MTH cable 50-1032 and use it to connect the TIU and the Legacy Base.
Thsi is completely discussed in The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition, Part VI - TMCC and Legacy on pages 121-125.
This and a whole lot more is all in MTH’s “The DCS O Gauge Companion 2nd Edition", available for purchase as an eBook or a printed book at MTH's web store!
Why would you want to operate a Legacy engine in TMCC mode when he has a full Legacy system? I run with two remotes, DCS in one hand and Legacy in the other. With cruise this is not a problem.
Dan
Is the cable (MTH 50-1032) the same cable used to tie DCS to TMCC, or is the cable an updated version?
Scott,
The older cable only works for TMCC. The newer cable (50-1032) works for both TMCC and Legacy.
That was what I suspected.
thank you
Thank you. I plan to try it tonight if I get home from work at a decent hour. Peter
Loco Dan's point is very valid. Why would you want to run Legacy Engines with 8 bit tmcc commands via the DCS connected to the Legacy via the cable? You will not be using the legacy 9 bit signal which means, no quilling whistle or 200 speed steps, etc.
If you are okay with that, then go ahead by all means. It will work with the cable barry mentions, but you will be controlling the Legacy locomotives with TMCC via the DCS and thus miss out on all the legacy features. I would use DCS for MTH and Legacy for Legacy. There's no harm having that cable connected from DCS over to Legacy, but I would not want to use that to control my Legacy engines in TMCC mode.
I also have TMCC engines/non Legacy, so it is a matter of convenience. Also, if I am showing the layout and running multiple trains, manipulating two remotes is a pain.
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