Lionel Legacy Cab 2 Controller after batteries replacement

Make sure the brake slider is not in the down position.  Good luck!

Bruce

I had a similar problem after mine was disconnected for just a few weeks. Some features were not working. Ended up reverting back to version 1.52 (because I had the modules with that version) in the controller as well as the base. That was 2 months ago. Still using 1.52 and everything works great. I called Lionel and they wanted me to send it in. Figured reverting was worth a shot. I could have tried restoring from a backup on my computer but I don’t have any engines that benefit from the newer version so reverting was easier and effective. 

I tested all controls on the remote. It was not the brake slider. Horn and whistle do not work either. 

I do have the modules to revert to earlier and may try that. The engines I have are older Legacy also, so may not need newer version. It was updated during an earlier service by Lionel.

I have not had good results with NiMH rechargable batteries. They don't hold or maintain a charge for long.

I have tried all brands nothing works for long. They refuse to re-charge after sitting for a few months.

It may be a case of use it or lose it.

John Paschkewitz posted:

After a period of not running for several months, I discovered that the Ni-MH batteries in my Legacy Remote would not charge. I got replacement batteries, installed them, and made sure they were fully charged. Now all three of my Legacy trains do not run or respond to all controls.

I can start and set TPC and run up voltage with boost switch. Locomotives will start, make some sounds, and lights go on but rapidly flicker slightly. I have checked voltage at track, and it is good. But locomotives will not run in response to throttle input ot speed selections on control.  I can shut down locomotives with emergency stop button. I can select track and run conventional locomotives with the control, but not the Legacy or TMCC locomotives. TPCs and Powermasters seem to be working correctly. The track and engine selection on control work normally and identify engines correctly.

Did some programming get lost when batteries failed? What is the best way to correct this?

That should not be the case- changing batteries would not cause the remote to become scrambled. Dumb question, but is the TPC and Powermaster in Command mode or conventional mode? Sounds like it may be in conventional mode.

Check the legacy base wire to track connections to confirm that it did not become loose.

Does the Legacy base light flicker when you issue an engine command? This would confirm that the remote is communicating with the base.

Do you have the current remote software revision on a module? Follow the procedure to restore the remote software. The engine and layout configurations are stored in the base.

AlanRail posted:

I have not had good results with NiMH rechargable batteries. They don't hold or maintain a charge for long.

Try Tenergy Low Self-Discharge Batteries.

I cut the charger off and now only use regular double A batteries.  They seem to last for three to four months with normal use. 

One reason I  changed was I accidentally left the power on overnight and the next day the CAB2 was really  hot.

No more worries about charging circuits.

Happy railroading,

Don

Have had good luck with Amazon brand NiMH batteries.  However, the latest 990 Command set I got has a temp circuit that stops charging soon enough to cut down on the heat issue; but I still never leave the remote on the charger.

I'm also in the camp of normally only using regular alkalines.  These remotes don't eat through batteries enough for it to be worth the hassle, IMO.  (I use AA NiMh for cameras all the time though - much higher power needs there though.)  Obviously you never place the remote in the base with alkalines in it though! 

I actually received a little note from Lionel in my returned remote/base set back when we had to ship the original sets back to Lionel so they could modify them to take firmware updates.  I would never dream of charging alkalines, but I guess some people would try it or forget and put the handheld in the base anyway.  I can see from a general Customer Service stand point why they would feel it was important to place a note not to use non-rechargeable batteries in the box though.

-Dave

gunrunnerjohn posted:

AlanRail posted:

I have not had good results with NiMH rechargable batteries. They don't hold or maintain a charge for long.

Try Tenergy Low Self-Discharge Batteries.

I took Johns advice on using these Batteries!  They work Great !!

Fredstrains

Thank you for all the responses. I have tried the simple things suggested, and none of those apply. I have viewed videos on updating software and have ordered USB to RS232 adapter from amazon as well as writable Legacy memory module from Lionel. Once I get those, I will download and install version 1.52 to base and controller. I previously had 1.51. My layout has earlier Legacy engines, a TMCC engine and conventional engines but none of the newer accessories identified in version 1.60 or 1.61. I previously obtained Westinghouse NiMH replacement batteries from amazon and those work well.

After doing the software reload, I will post the results here.

I obtained the writeable module and loaded the software updates to ver 1.52 and installed to the Cab and Base. Now everything works normally again. So, it appears that the Legacy Cab remote lost info an corrupted files when the batteries failed over the summer. I will ensure control is charged at least every two weeks going forward. I did try using alkaline batteries while waiting to receive new NiMH batteries from amazon, but that didn’t work without correcting the software glitch. I will also leave the control out of the base when the layout is off.

Thanks to all who made suggestions.

Glad that worked for you. 

hello, is there a way to clear all the settings in the cab 2 remote?  factory reset?