Lionel ARC operation

[Anonymous]

I recently set up a Lionel action recorder ARC on my TMCC, TPC 400, Fastrack layout a couple of O72 switches and a SC-2 for switch flipping and uncoupling. The ARC works fine with simple recordings, but I'm having trouble figuring out exactly how to work with the sensors (I have 3) and having the recording not make my requests to flip switches during play back. I'm trying to run 2 engines at once on a layout with a large loop at either end and a short stretch of common track in the middle. I have been looking around for a good reference with more info than came with the owners manual, but can't find anything. Any guidance would be appreciated. Thanks Charlie

[cmrj]

Charlie, Try www.coilcouplersofamerica.com and Email Clyde he should be able to help you. I also haveTMCC several SC2's, OTC's,TPC400. Thinking about an ARC. Let me know what find out. Mike

[Anonymous]

Thanks Mike. I put the question into Clyde. Will post answer here when it comes in. My other thought is to contact the folks at ic controls. Charlie

[Anonymous]

I think I figured out one problem with the sensors. I overlooked insulating the ouside rail on the ground side of the insulated section of track. Will give it a try and post back.

[Anonymous]

I'm also hearing that ARC's may not be compatible with some SC-2s. This was reported to have been fixed, but maybe I got an old SC-2 off the shelf. Waiting to hear from LIonel at this point. Based on the testing I've done so far, the sensors seem to be working after the fix.

[wrmcclellan]

Charlie,

[#welcome] Welcome to the CTT Forum! [#welcome]

Keep us posted on how this works out. I have an ARC/TMCC equipped magnet crane. Its fun but if you even move it manually from its last position, then it just starts there, so I have to remember to return it to the starting point for the recorded action.

I really like the TMCC element of this accessory.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Roy. Thanks for the info and yes you have to have the engine exactly at the start point so your comment about the crane makes sense.

Lionel is telling me that ARCs and SC-2 don’t communicate, thus you have to use either an AMC or ASC in conjunction with the ARC. John at ICS mentioned this the other day to me when I called him, but thought that Lionel had fixed the problem (he did say the ASC would work). I suspect that the problem lies with the SC-2 communicating with the command base wireless. The ASC, in my case (for switches) will be daisy chained after the ARC and before the TPC-400 with wire. The bummer is now I have to purchase a ASC and a AMC and I will have to either extend all my switch/assessory wires back to my command base power area as I had my SC-2 located about 10 feet from this area at a spot that was more centrally located to the three switches and the track un-coupler I have. Lionel did say the AMC would run switches, but the person on the phone didn’t seem too knowledgeable and had to ask someone else about the SC-2 – ARC problem, so I don’t know if I believe that. It is really too bad the SC-2 doesn’t work with the ARC as it saves you the cost of buying two separate controllers and it was wireless. It would be nice if Lionel would mention in their catalog that the ARC and SC-2 are incompatible.

[Anonymous]

I found this post on coilcouplers:

Submitted by Kirk Palmer on 04/29/2003 06:43

What is the difference between the SC2 and the new ASC. They both appear to do the same job. The SC2 can handle 15 amps how much can the ASC. There seems to be a lot of redundency with these products. What cables to I need. Thanks



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Reply posted by SteveJMJr on 05/01/2003 02:05

Kirk, the SC2 and the ASC are similar. The SC2 can control 6 switches or 12 accessories or a combination of the two. The ASC can control 4 switches OR 8 accessories (no combination unless you use a switch address for an accessory).
They both handle 15 amps.
The SC2 receives a signal straight from the Cab1 while the ASC receives a signal through a hardwire from the Command Base. The ASC will work with the Action Recorder but the SC2 won't.
For the SC2 you only need wires from the switches or accessories to the SC2. For the ASC you need these wires plus a cable from the computer connection on the Command Base to the ASC. You only need one of these cables for all and any of the IC Controls boxes (ASC, BPC, AMC, ARC, TPC's, etc.). You can then daisy chain all the boxes.
When Lionel acquired IC Controls products, the ASC was already a part of their line while Lionel already had the SC2. That’s why there's redundancy. Steve



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Reply posted by CAPTNKRAFT on 05/03/2003 11:12

If you do use the ASC, it is first connected to the command base with a DB-9 cable on the base's computer port. Buy the 3 wire version as if you ever decide to get an action recorder, it requires a 3 wire DB-9 cable available through Lionel and/or retail stores. The action recorder MUST be connected FIRST to the command base and then the rest of your Lionel/IC products are daisy chained afterwards in succession with only 2 WIRES. Any other IC product can be daisy chained in any order you like-Only the action recorder needs to be connected first and needs a 3 wire cable. The other IC modules need only a 2 wire cable.