Help! DCS Commander + Legacy

Have you run the wire from the Legacy Base to the outside rail of the FasTrack? Does the Engine get power when the transformer is turned on?

Yes, I have ran the black wire, but to the black pole on my terminal block.  The engine cab light comes on and I can hear the speaker come on and go off when power to the track is turned off. 

you did not say if you programed the engine.

I programed an ID# to the engine and uploaded the engine info. to the remote using the orange modual. 

Did you slide the button on the engine from Prog to Run after you assigned it an engine ID? IS the CAB-2 set to that engine ID?

Did you put the program/run switch in program mode on the engine and program the ID to it. If you did that did it respond whith a whistle/horn blow. It sound like you just entered the information into the legacy remote.

Ron

Silly question perhaps, however, do Legacy engines run on DC voltage? That's all the DCS Commander puts out, regardless of whether the input is AC or DC.

That was my immediate thought too Barry. Lionel Legacy don't run on DC to the best of my knowledge.

I did move the program switch back to Run after programing and the remote is set to that ID#.  I did not get any sound from the engine after putting in the assigned number.  No sounds at all.  Barry, your question is interesting.  Lionel says that you only have to use an AC power supply.  I am using a MTH Z100 brick that is AC.  Not sure how that Commander would effect it.  The two are really not connected at all except at the terminal block.  I know the Legacy will work with the MTH DCS remote, is it DC? 

Barry may be onto something, can you disconnect the DCS Commander as a test?  Also if you disconnect both the Legacy (or at least unplug it) and the DCS commander will the engine run in conventional?

Barry, Dave, I think you are on to something.  If the commander puts out only DC power, then it does not matter that the power supply is AC, is that correct?  If this is my problem, then what is the solution?  Buy DCS remote? I have a the MTH conventional transformer and I will try it tomorrow.  If that works, then I know it is the commander that is my problem.  Is there another way? 

The other way is, you need to use a DCS TIU , connect the TIU to the Legacy base station and use the Cab1 or DCS hand controller.

So the DCS Commander is incompatible with Legacy engines?  Wow these guys (as in all manufacturers) really need to at least give us a fighting chance. What is the reasoning of going with DC?

Marty,  the commander system was designed for MTH's HO market, but as it turnes out it could also run O scale and get one into DCS on a budget.  I love the commander, it is easy to use and well designed.  It could get you into DCS for about 150.00 as opposed to 300.00.  I will try these ideas after church today and let you know the results.  Have a great day guys.

Hamiet,

I am using a MTH Z100 brick that is AC.  Not sure how that Commander would effect it.  The two are really not connected at all except at the terminal block.  I know the Legacy will work with the MTH DCS remote, is it DC? 

As I stated above, no matter what the input voltage to the Commander is, AC or DC, the Commander rectifies it into DC for output. Al MTH O PS2 or PS3 engines can run on both AC or DC.

If you want to run full DCS using AC, you'll need to get a DCS TIU and Remote.

Exactly how are you wiring the Commander? Are you inputting power directly to the track,

sort of like passive mode? If so, I really didn't know that you could do that. Please explain - thanks!

Barry read that again; Gunrunner slipped that word "Remote" in on you. We have been discussing the DCS commander not the DCS Remote commander. As a general rule Lionel TMCC engines do NOT operate on DC.

Al

OOPS, I didn't realize we were talking about the full DCS system.  Ignore my last post!

Done Barry, good idea.

Barry, I may not have explained about wireing the commander correctly.  The Z1000 brick plugs directly into the back of the commander.  A red and black wire connect the commander to my terminal block which distributes power to 8 different points on my layout.  My layout is small compaired to many of yours.  It is 11x12ft. 

Hamiet,

The Z1000 brick plugs directly into the back of the commander. 

That's what I assumed. You are definitely running on DC voltage which, if Legacy engines require AC, you cannot run Legacy engines with the DCS Commander. It will only put out DC.

Many Legacy engines specify AC, don't know if they'd run on DC or not.  I'm not about to test that issue on my expensive Legacy locomotives!

It's Alive!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks to all!  I disconnected the commander and put on my old Z1000 transformer, turned on the Legacy, powered up the track, and "it's alive!  You guys nailed it and that's the good news, the bad news is the commander has to go and I am in the market for DCS.  Barry, I did not know you were the author of the DCS Companion book I saw Saturday at my local train shop.  I'll have to pick that up next time.  Thanks again, guys. 

Hamiet,

I did not know you were the author of the DCS Companion book I saw Saturday at my local train shop

Yes, that would be me.

In which train shop did you see it? There are currently about 18 or so shops carrying the book.

I saw it at the Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer, NC--one of my favorite stores.  I have a question about the DCS system I'll post on the DCS control forum board.  Thanks for all your help. 

Hamiet,

Little Choo Choo Shop

Yep, that's one of my regular retailers!