Legacy Command

[mxnmrv]

I just purchased a Legacy Command Set to replace my TMCC command that I powered with a 180 watt PowerHouse.  My first problem is, according to the legacy instructions the power supply is to be connected to a lockon.  However, the PowerHouse has a special plug that goes into the PowerMaster, PM-1.  Does this mean I can no longer use the PowerMaster and PowerHouse, or do I need to purchase some special adapter cable.  I'm hoping I can connect to the PowerMaster as I still need to control some conventional engine.

My next problem deals with converting my TMCC layout to Legacy.  According to the Legacy manual on page 23 it states "Simply connect the Legacy Base/Charger to your existing track wire and TMCC Controller cable (RS 232 port)".  I am totally clueless on the TMCC Controller cable - RS 232 port.

One last question.  I also purchased the Legacy Bridge thinking I needed it to also continue to use conventional engines.  Did I really need to purchase this as I no longer will be using the CAB-1. Any help and/or guidance would be appreciated.

 

 

[wsdimenna]

since I don't run conventional I can't help wth that issue.  With respect to using TMCC and Cab 1 with legacy cab 2...The answer is it depends what you want to do.  If you want to continue to use the controller from TMCC (cab 1) then you connect the cable that comes with legacy into the ports on each machine. The cable is labeled.

I decided to use only the legacy system and not CAB 1(TMCC).   TMCC engines run fine with legacy and when the upgrade to legacy 1.3 comes you will have many features that will make your cab 1 seem obsolete.  Its easier to make lashups, the trainlink feature in 1.3 will make it easier to run crane car, accessories while running other rains , etc etc.

So what I would do is remove your old TMCC and go with legacy for all your command control engines. Two items to make legacy 1.2 work beter on large layouts. Have base station above layout and/or add a antenna (wireless router , linksys, etc) .

[wrightwood7]

I have the same issue. Have a legacy base, powermaster TMCC, Bridge and 180W Power Brick. Lionel fails in providing anything close to decent instructions on how to integrate. However, from my understanding, to run both Legacy and Conventional trains, the power brick plugs into the Powermaster and the U terminal of the Powermaster and the U terminal of the Legacy Command Base are wired together and then to the outside rail via solder or lock-on. The A terminal of the Powermaster then connects to the middle rail. Here's where it gets fuzzy...The serial cable that comes with the Legacy command base then plugs into the Bridge via the Serial Comm port end of the cable (male/female). This is where things break down. The Powermaster instructions state not to hook the Legacy Command base directly to the Powermaster. Any clarification by anyone?

[Brewman1973]

I just bought a Legacy system myself and have been studying the instructions for a few nights.  I also plan on running conventional as well.  It looks like the powerhouse feeds power to the track through the TMCC PowerMaster. The Powermaster has a switch to control command/conventional setting.  The bridge looks to be necessay to transmit a signal at the correct frequency in order to run in conventional because the power is getting to the track through the powermaster.   

Frankly, the instructions should be more clear on how to set it all up.

I am to the point of charging the unit, so maybe I will have it up and running by tomorrow after I get home from work, afterall I need to somehow pay for all of this stuff

[mxnmrv]

Thanks to all that replied.  Your thoughts and guidance are much appreciated.

[mxnmrv]

I also have studied the manual for a few nights now.  My opinion is it could have been written a little clearer.  I find myself flipping back and forth to find what I'm looking for.  Hopefully you get yours up and running.  I have to wait until after Christmas as it is a gift from my wife.  To say the least, I'm getting anxious to see how it works.

[rtraincollector]

Now I'm confused as I was told if I upgraded to legacy that my power masters wouldn't work with it I would have to go get TPC-300 or TPC-400 and do away with my power masters. Thats why I have upgraded to a power master-300 and in process of getting another soon. I don't have any legacy engines but plant to go to legacy eventually. But the way you all are talking you can use the powermaster to run conventional trains with legacy.

[dagison1507]

I have my base directly hooked up to my powermaster. I have no ill effects and dont see how it could possibly matter. The only issue i could see is legacy has some signal issues and it might prevent some of thoses if it was hooked directly to the track. However this should all be cured with the 1.3 update which is supposed to be free last i heard.

[rtraincollector]

Thanks for info but to be honest I also went to the TPC-300 as I fried my powermaster when my NYC jumped rails as it has a bad board in it and will jump out of command mode and into conventional after about 20 nimutes of running so it will go from 20 mph to 180 mph in a split second with no warning so need to replace that board

[chuck]

Legacy and CAB-2 do not use the Citizens Band radio frequency (27mhz?) that was used in the CAB-1.  he direct radio link between the CAB-2 and the Legacuy base is in the WiFi (2.4 ghz) band.

The CAB-1 can only do two things, talk directly to a PowerMaser and talk directly to an original TMCC Command base.  If you need to control PowerMasters in conventional mode under Legacy, you will need to use the Legacy Bridge device.  If you have no need or desire to do this, you do not need the bridge device.  The TPC's and Modern ZW can be controlled from a Legacy Base by way of either the serial interface cable or by the track radio link.

If you just want to continue to use the Cab-1 with the Legacy base to control Command Control devices (aka anything BUT an original PowerMaster), you only need to use the "Y" cable provided with the Legacy system. 

One note of caution, because of the way that Engines are controlled in Legacy, do not switch back and forth between Legacy/Cab-1 on a specific loco.  Cab-1 can only generate relative speed steps and Legacy should be using absolute speed steps.

[SD-40T-2]

i have the cab-2 v1.3 When using the powermaster bridge and the PH-1 powermaster how are they connected using the y cable do i need to use the Lionel O, 6-14191, TMCC Command Base Cable or do i just connect the y cable directly to the PH-1 PowerMaster can someone explain what part of the y cable connects to what i have the power house 180 my tpc been acting up

[chuck]

The Legacy Base is a 1:1 replacement for the original TMCC base unless you want to keep the older TMCC base so the older CAB-1 will continue to work. If you want to use both the Legacy Base/CAB-2 and the TMCC Base/CAB-1 you use the wye cable that came with the Legacy set to allow the CAB-1 commands to be relayed through the Legacy base.

If you own TPC's or other former IC Controls devices like the ARC or ASC controllers, these get connected to the system by way of the wye cable as well. If you don't want to use the original TMCC equipment you remove the batteries from the CAB-1, pack all of it it up in a box. If you were using TPC's or other IC Controls devices take the serial data cable that used to go to the old Command Base and mover it to the serial data port on the Legacy Base.

If you want to access a PowerMaster from Legacy using the CAB-2 you will need a PowerMaster Bridge. PowerMasters can not accept signals from anything but a CAB-1 controller. They do not even need a Command Base to function, just a CAB-1.

If you are having issues with a TPC under Legacy and you KNOW your data cable is ok, check the programming on the CAB-2. The TPC can be addressed as either an ENG or a TR but it must be run in CAB-1 mode, NOT TMCC mode and definitely not Legacy mode.