SC-2 Switch Controller No Longer Receiving Signals from Command Base

[steinmike]

Folks:

After over two years of operation, the SC-2 Switch Controller on my layout is apparently no longer receiving signals from the command base.  Its a small layout and I only have the one SC-2.  All other command control functions are operating normally.  The green light on the SC-2 is illuminated, but the red light will not come on even in program mode.  Key strokes from the Cab-1 remote make the red light on the command base blink so I know that the signal is at least getting that far.

I spoke to a tech at Lionel and he informed me that failures of this type are very rare and that after two years, the device is out of warranty and the only option is to replace the SC-2.  Before I do that, I'd thought I check with the forum to see if anyone has run into and found a correction for the problem.

Of course, any excuse to visit the local train store is a good excuse!

Thanks so much - have a great holiday!

Mike

 

[chuck]

SC-2 has a pretty weak receiver.  I had the one on the Christmas layout behave as you described and it turned out that the antenna wire from the command base to the track return was almost completely severed (the stranded cable was down to one strand of copper).  I fixed the antenna lead and it started behaving normaly.

[ADCX Rob]

Have you tried to reprogram it?

I doubt that will work if the red light is not responding, though.  I take it you have done the wiggle / continuity tests?  Good ground to SC-2?

Rob

[Steamr]

All of the above is good advice and should you still have problems the antenna in the SC2 is located inside near the green light.  Try taping a 2 ft wire across the SC2 in this area and see if it helps.  If it does, you can either locate the SC2 nearer the track or use what ever type of antenna works for you, in the end it usually would not need to be that long.  Some run a wire from either the outer rails or the command base across the SC2 near the green light.  Hope this helps.

[ChiefEagles]

These guys are right.  Buckeye had a problem and just moved the unit and it want to work.  I think he turned his upside down.

[steinmike]

Folks:

Thanks for the advice!  It seems logical that the antenna in SC-2 might be at fault. 

I performed the "wiggle" test and then disconnected each of the switches, testing to see if that made a difference before disconnecting the next.  Then I reconnected everything and no change.

After reading the posts, I opened up the SC-2.  I was very dissapointed to see that the screws were badly "chewed up" indicating that someone (either at Lionel or the factory) had performed a repair on this unit before.  The antenna plate had come loose from the top of the SC-2.  The antenna lead plugs into the circuit board using a standard two wire pin connector.

I'm going to call Lionel in the AM - equipment purchased "new" should not be "repaired or refurbished" - depending on what they say, I may replace the antenna and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks again for the advice / info!

Mike

[Buckeye Riveter]

These guys are right.  Buckeye had a problem and just moved the unit and it want to work.  I think he turned his upside down.

Chief, has a good memory.  I had an SC2 that would not work, but due to a comment made by Roy, I turned the unit 90 degrees and low and behold it started working.  I moved it back to the orginal position and it did not work. 

I have three SC2s and two of them do not seem affected as to  their orientation to the track, the third one works great, but just in the right location. 

 

[steinmike]

WE'RE BACK UP AND RUNNING!

Thanks everyone - your advice was right on.

This was a two stage repair.

(1) I replaced the wire from the command base to the track with a fresh 16 gauge wire with crimped-on spade connectors and that got us back in business although operation of the SC-2 was still very sporadic - I had to press the aux keys multiple times to get the switches to throw.

(2) I re-opened the SC-2 and checked the antenna (which is just a flat, thin piece of metal with the wire lead soldered on and covered with tape - the solder connection looked none too healthy (it was rusty and discolored), so I clipped the wire, discarded the metal plate,  spliced on a 2 foot length of 16 gauge wire to the lead, folded the wire and taped it to the top of the SC-2 with electrical tape and closed up the SC-2. Now it works great!

Thanks for your help!  Have a great holiday seaon!

Mike

[Buckeye Riveter]

WE'RE BACK UP AND RUNNING!

Thanks everyone - your advice was right on.

This was a two stage repair.

(1) I replaced the wire from the command base to the track with a fresh 16 gauge wire with crimped-on spade connectors and that got us back in business although operation of the SC-2 was still very sporadic - I had to press the aux keys multiple times to get the switches to throw.

(2) I re-opened the SC-2 and checked the antenna (which is just a flat, thin piece of metal with the wire lead soldered on and covered with tape - the solder connection looked none too healthy (it was rusty and discolored), so I clipped the wire, discarded the metal plate,  spliced on a 2 foot length of 16 gauge wire to the lead, folded the wire and taped it to the top of the SC-2 with electrical tape and closed up the SC-2. Now it works great!

Thanks for your help!  Have a great holiday seaon!

Mike

Mike, thanks for posting your findings.  You can bet that a question like yours about the SC-2 will be posted in the next year and your posting just gives us all more experience.