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MTH DCS Explorer and Lionel Legacy Control

R russrhOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Long time reader, first-time poster. I know it's been covered before with MTH DCS TIU, but how about the DCS Explorer and Legacy co-existing on the same track? I'd like to run both my MTH and Lionel locomotives on the same bit of rail.

I know it's possible to run both with the full DCS TIU, but I'm conscious that the Explorer is putting out 18V AC into the track - is there an issue with competing signals? Is it just a matter of running the opposite outside rail to Black/U/Negative while sharing a common centre 'hot' rail?

I only have one MTH locomotive and wasn't going to buy many more (mainly going with Lionel, which is why I went with the Legacy system) I spent tonight getting all my power setups and everything setup (I'm in Australia so had to sort out the 240V 50Hz.

Thanks in advance for everyone's responses 

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MartyEMartyEOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBERMEMORIAL SUPPORTER

There should be no issue other than some Legacy locomotives can diminish the DCS signal.  This can be solved by adding a  22uh RF choke inline with the Legacy engines pickup rollers.  Other than that there should be no issues that I am aware of.  

The Legacy signal and the DCS signal do not compete as DCS is all track based and Legacy is RF over the air.

Last edited by MartyE
R russrhOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

I've only got a few locomotives and a fairly small layout. Wondering if i should just use track power through the Explorer, and use the Lionel Legacy just with its single U track wire?

I've got a 180W powerhouse as well for track power, I guess that is about 10A (180W 18V) - If i use both simultaneously for track power, will the fuse in the Explorer blow? or will it only blow with a load across it greater than 6A?

I guess I could suck it and see, the 6A fuse is good insurance.

 

L LandsteinerOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Do not connect the Explorer and the Powerhouse to the same section of trackage. Nothing good will happen and something bad might happen (probably to the Explorer, I'd guess).

You can operate the Legacy locos using Legacy without connecting the Powerhouse, but you will be limited to 6 Amps of current draw, as mentioned above. 

As far as I know there is no way of operating the Explorer in "passive mode" without power flowing to the track, as you can do with a TIU. 

Perhaps limit your MTH loco to one loop powered by the Explorer and isolate the rest of the layout electrically from that loop, using the Powerhouse to provide the power for the rest of the layout?  The TMCC/Legacy locos will function fine throughout the layout in all likelihood.

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