LionChief+ Upgrade?

At this point Lionel is not selling Lionchief boards and apparently not licensing to third parties.  That may change but I wouldn't hold my breath.

Pete

It could certainly be done, but the LC+ uses a tach similar to Legacy for speed control.  You'll have to come up with a universal solution to replace that to make such a kit.  It suspect that's the only significant technical issue.

John, Really, you can replicate the LC+ board?

Lionel would have to decide to make an upgrade kit and sell it.  They make upgrade kits for TMCC via ERR, but no LC+ kits.

Based on how LC+ works, it would be confined to DC can motor engines with flywheels. Just like MTH PS-2/3 upgrade kits

Not any older AC/Universal motors.  G

George, I was talking about Lionel, not me, I would have thought that was obvious.

I was teasing, but I bet you could if you tried!

I guess if they did an upgrade kit they would have to sell a remote too, or you buy the universal one.  G

I'm not seeing a LC+ upgrade kit anytime soon coming out of Lionel.  

I'd agree with that. It's pretty clear (it makes sense, and I think they have essentially stated) that Lionel is in business to sell new engines, and so they will limit products that would allow customers to avoid new purchases by installing new technology into old engines. 

I don't know for sure, but it would seem reasonable that ERR products were marketed beginning years ago to get more people into command control, so they would get hooked on that and encouraged to buy new engines. Also, newer technology was coming on line (Legacy), and TMCC was an older technology. Note that there are no Legacy upgrade kits offered by Lionel, either.

If you check the parts list for LionChief locos on their website, the printed circuit board is inexpensive but only available by contacting Lionel.  You cannot just buy one online.  I'm guessing they might require you to send in the defective board in exchange, but that's just a guess.  So for the present, they are not making it easy to order just the command board/receiver and remote you might want to upgrade a conventional DC loco.

"Must contact Lionel to order" is code for you can't get it other than by exchange. Same phrase applies to RS5 and Legacy Railsounds and also the newer Legacy receiver/motor driver boards. 

Third parties were allowed to use and develop TMCC boards early on. Both Digital Dynamics and TAS preceded ERR in this. License was given on condition the parties had to use Lionel Radio and Railsounds boards. They could do whatever they wanted as far as motor drivers including cruise. A few years ago Lionel allowed sale of RS4 boards. Maybe newer technology will be offered for sale when deemed sufficiently obsolete.

Pete