Question: Lionel Legacy Bluetooth on LionChief (DC) Layout

Yes Legacy works with LC and LC+ (you just need the 990 Legacy Command Set or Legacy CAB-1L set).   Instead of adding 72-watt transformers I would use 1 or more 135 or 180 watt bricks for power.

-Greg

I recommend the PH180 bricks.  They have a MUCH better circuit breaker than the PH135 bricks, and will provide better protection for the layout.

The question is if a legacy engine will run a a DC layout.   The answer is NO.    But you can run your LC, LC+ and LC+2.0 on AC or DC. Good question!  

I also use the 72w Lionel power source.   One on each loop of my 17x11 layout.  Breaking it up into power blocks is a good idea.  And you can use a 54w that came in some of the kits too!  I'm expanding my layout a bit and will have one 72w unit and one 54w unit on each loop.

With the intro of LC+2.0 there really is no reason to change to AC.  You can get a fine engine with lots of feature for less money.  And you save some money also because you wont have to buy the AC transformer. 

Jim

Thanks CarsNTrains. That’s exactly what I needed to know. I’m statisfied with what I can do with LC/LC+ and definitely want to avoid the expense of the larger AC transformers. For now... 

I’m looking forward to LionChief 2.0.

Quick question. What do you do to distribute power around your layout? I am assuming you’re not running bus wiring.

Thanks again!

I had the DC 72w powerpacks and I called Lionel about the same question and there answer was I would burn up the circuits using DC power. Legacy engines that can run on Bluetooth still require AC power to function properly. Another thing I discovered is that the Lionel remote switches will only light up green using DC power. When I would switch them they would either be green or no light at all. After I changed to AC power the switch remotes go from red to green.

Makes perfect sense as the switch lighting is done using a bi-color 2-pin polarity sensitive LED, and with DC, you can't produce the negative polarity to switch the LED.

Legacy with BlueTooth is just Legacy with a little BlueTooth interface module, so DC would clearly be a non-starter.

Thank you for the responses. I appreciate them all.

In the short term, I am going to stick with DC. It’s inexpensive and it works for LC and LC+ which is what I run. However, I am confused by a couple of things.

First, do you need a Legacy Command Set (6-14295) to control a Legacy locomotive with Bluetooth or can you just use the LionChief App or LionChief universal remote without investing in the command set? I understand that all the locomotives features may not be available. I also understand Legacy only works on AC powered layouts.

Second, what it would take to switch my layout to AC, which I may do in the future?

I understand if I replace my DC transformer with a GW-180 (6-37947) that I would have 180 watts/10 amps of AC power available to my layout. I could also then run conventional, LC, LC+ and (maybe) Legacy Bluetooth (without a #990 Legacy Command Set).

I’m wondering if I can connect a Powerhouse 180 (6-22983) directly to the track for power. I realize with this setup I could not vary power to the track and therefore control a conventional locomotive. However, I would still have LC, LC+ and (maybe) Legacy Bluetooth (without a #990 Legacy Command Set).

Obviously, the Powerhouse 180 is less expensive than the GW-180 (which includes a PH-180 as part of the set). Besides conventional control and separate power outputs for track and accessories, what am I missing using a PH-180 directly connected to the track instead of a GW-180? Better protection for short-circuits, maybe?

Thanks again for all the helpful advice.
Tom

Tom, 

You can connect a 180W Powerhouse to the track with a TMCC Direct Lockon.

That will work exactly as you describe.

In someways LC using DC is good. Especially for newbies on this side of the pond. No chance of any frequency issues.

However it’s bad when you want to get more into the hobby as your DC power supplies have to be replaced.

Nick

Thanks Nick!