Howdy, well it had to come and it is here and working. What am I talking about it is command control for the railroad. I have installed Wi-Fi for the MTH DCS system, Lionel Legacy, and NCE DCC using JMRI. I am not using any wireless controls because they are all using the same frequency except Lionel Legacy. MTH and NCE have issues around interference of their rf signals and with NCE you cannot run two wire-less systems in the same vicinity it will only tolerate one signal, I have had long discussions with NCE about this and have done a lot of trouble shooting of the problem, so that is how it is going to be.
I have installed a new control panel (fig 1) and it is sloping and hinged so you can access items under the control panel.
Fig 1
Above the control panel are switches to control the layout power and other special operations. All the switch control is done with NCE controls, Tortoise control of the O-Scale and the N, ON30, HO are controlled using the switches that go with the Bachmann track. I have a MTH AIU mounted but have to make up a cable to connect it to the TIU. The NCE controls get around a problem with the AIU relay hold-time in some instances it is too long. I also installed a wire raceway to organize the wires.
To the left of the control panel (fig 2) is the power distribution center, I used computer distribution power controls and it works great and also gives me isolation and filtering. It also has all the DCC items there. To the left of the DCS Commander are the NCE Pro-base and a 5-amp booster. Below it is a 10-amp booster for the O-scale and I will install a second one for the HO controls.
Fig 2
As you can see the MTH DCS system is mounted to the right and was done too make it will easier to do the program updates and the MTH DCS is Rev L. On the top rail is the DCS Wi-Fi. The AIU is mounted below that.
Between the MTH DCS and Lionel Legacy is an iPad (fig 3) for control of the two systems and JMRI. I am using the MTH standard app as the enhanced is not out yet. Lionel Legacy app LCS and iCab. I found a use for my old smart phones can be used for command control on all systems. The iPhone 4 will run the Lionel Legacy but not the MTH as that system was designed for the newer iPhone.
Two the right is the Lionel Legacy and the Lionel Wi-Fi on the top rail and the interface module Ser2 used to connect MTH TIU to Lionel Legacy base.
What did I find,
- The MTH DCS Wi-Fi was easy to set up and the learning curve was not that great, took me about one or two operation to get the feel of the system but remember the more you use it the better you get.
- The Lionel Wi-Fi was a bit more complicated. When you buy the parts to make it all work you have to buy each module, power supply, connecting cables for Legacy Base and to MTH DCS, Modules, none of the modules come with cables or power supply. I found this interesting strategy for Lionel to do. I believe that it is because there are so many variables this was the most economical way and was a good idea.
- MTH Wi-Fi has the best range Lionel Legacy is a bit short on that one.
- I can monitor the complete settings of the Lionel Legacy command base from my desk top computer which is great and it is a free download from Lionel (LSU Upgrade) MTH does not have that option yet.
- JMRI, will be using a Raspberry small computer and output a Wi-Fi signal to be used by their app. (in progress)
Over all the it was an eye opening experience and it was well worth the effort. My two granddaughters McKenzie (6) & Madison (4) really took to the new control system and that is the first place they want to go and do. McKenzie loves to operate the Lionel crane and is really getting good at it and quickly picked up the use of the Lionel Legacy handheld and MTH DCS they do not shy away from them and the Wi-Fi really was a clincher.
I had two other young ladies come over and they went bonkers with the trains and the use of the WiFi.
