Has anyone used the mini comander to upgrade? I am looking to install this unit in a K line Plymouth diesel switcher if I have room. I was wondering how these comander modules perform?
Tom
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I have a friend who was able to get one in there. Runs the engine and has working couplers, maybe lights too. I plan to do one mine some day. He did say it was a PITA though.
Pete
@Tom J posted:Has anyone used the mini comander to upgrade? I am looking to install this unit in a K line Plymouth diesel switcher if I have room. I was wondering how these comander modules perform?
Tom
FWIW, I used the genuine Lionel one from a TMCC speeder rather than the ERR one mainly because at the time I could not find stock of the ERR one and the half off parts sale. I used a tiny black wire that came with some SMD LEDs as the antenna through a tiny hole in the front of the cab out to the bell. This provided enough reception for me. I also had to remove the cab figures, but the board will physically sit inside the cab space with the plastic bracket. I'm assuming the ERR version is very similar or the same size.
Again, it works great, but I did not add electrocouplers and I was really only using the speed control and directional lighting. Mainly is was just how far down the path did I want to go because trying to find and modify couplers to fit and other details, I just kind of said good enough at the time. I may revisit it on a rainy day and go the full mile (electrocouplers, typing the smoke into control rather than the manual switch).
Is the factory lighting on the switcher compatible to the mini comander?
Hello again I have another project I am working on. I am looking to install a AC/DC commander in a MTH general with proto 1. Has anyone any experience in this area?
@Tom J posted:Hello again I have another project I am working on. I am looking to install a AC/DC commander in a MTH general with proto 1. Has anyone any experience in this area?
Shouldn't be a big deal as long as the ERR board fits in the tender. I've done tons of installations of ERR stuff in all sorts of small locomotives.
As for your original project, the Plymouth shouldn't be a super challenge, I managed to cram the Mini Commander II and a full sound board into a K-Line track speeder. When I do my Plymouth, I intend to retain the fan driven smoke, though I think I'll use a smaller HO smoke unit instead of the huge one that's in it. If at all possible, I also want to add full sound.
@Tom J posted:Hello again I have another project I am working on. I am looking to install a AC/DC commander in a MTH general with proto 1. Has anyone any experience in this area?
Use the Cruise Commander. The DC Commander is no longer available, plus it did not have cruise control. Once you experience good working cruise control, you will never go back.
The engine is 17&1/2 INCH long. The ac/DC commander is a bit larger than the mini with sound smoke&couplers not too much bigger but it may fit inside locomotive. The mini commander fit and works great in the k line switcher.
I have this ac/DC commander for about a year never had a chance to install it in something. Would hate to let it go to waste.
I think fitting the DC Commander in the locomotive might be a challenge, it'll fit in the tender. Besides, it's easier to float the tender shell as an antenna than it is to try to create an antenna on a diecast locomotive.
