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Post by phil55 on Apr 4, 2023 4:34:12 GMT
I have several Legacy and lion chief + locos that I control with a Lionel universal remote and a MTH Z-1000 transformer. I'm thinking of buying a MTH DCS Remote commander so that I can run MTH locos on my layout. Can the Remote commander be used on the same track as the Universal remote?
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Post by Country Joe on Apr 4, 2023 13:55:43 GMT
I’m 99.9% sure that you can use the Remote Commander and the Lionel Universal Remote on the same track at the same time. I don’t have the Remote Commander so I can’t test it but I have been using a DCS TIU and remote and the Universal Remote together for years without any issues. I frequently run an MTH engine and an LC+ engine on the same track at the same time.
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Post by Adam on Apr 4, 2023 14:54:13 GMT
Shouldn’t be an issue. The frequency of each remote is different. The lionel uses Bluetooth. Also the Lionel doesn’t recognize DCS commands so will ignore them.
I’m fairly certain that I have done this in the past as well.
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Post by phil55 on Apr 4, 2023 15:06:55 GMT
How would the wiring be done?
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Post by Adam on Apr 4, 2023 15:19:32 GMT
Are you using the Lionel Lioncheif remote for the Lionel engines?
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Post by phil55 on Apr 4, 2023 15:48:07 GMT
Are you using the Lionel Lioncheif remote for the Lionel engines? Yes. Lion chief + remote and 2 universal remotes. I am using a z1000 transformer set at full voltage to control the remotes. I'm wondering how the DCS remote commander would be wired into my existing wiring
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Post by Adam on Apr 4, 2023 19:41:09 GMT
When you say Lion chief + remote and 2 universal remotes are you just talking about the orange remote with the dial on them or are you talking about also using a Legacy remote?
If you are talking about Legacy or TMCC and DCS on the same track, that might be above my paygrade.
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Post by Country Joe on Apr 4, 2023 22:40:36 GMT
I found this video on YouTube which may answer your questions.
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Post by phil55 on Apr 5, 2023 3:47:41 GMT
Thanks for the replies. I guess I just need to know where the commander base goes in the wiring. I have a z1000 transformer that is set to full voltage to power my lion chief and universal remotes.(yes the orange universal remote) There is a mth brick that powers a transformer that is set to full power for the remotes +/- 18 volts. A barrel jack runs between the brick an the transformer. The dcs remote commander shows the barrel jack connected between the remote commander and track power. Maybe I'm over thinking this. How do I tie in the command base to the control unit?
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Post by Adam on Apr 5, 2023 11:01:35 GMT
On the bottom of page three other DCS Remote Commander manual, it shows a photo of the wiring. The power supply comes into the DCS Remote Commander unit and the unit then connects to the tracks. The tracks will be powered so that you can also run your Lionchief engine as well. mthtrains.com/sites/default/files/download/instruction/50as10109i.pdf |
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Post by phil55 on Apr 5, 2023 18:16:14 GMT
Thanks guys! Currently on my set-up I have the power cord running from the power unit(brick) to the z controller control unit. I want to keep the control unit because I have some locos that I run conventionally. So I need to figure a way to run the power cord from the brick to the remote commander base AND the z controller control unit. Maybe a pigtail of some sort
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Post by Adam on Apr 5, 2023 19:11:45 GMT
You won't be able to do Conventional Control and DCS on the same track at the same time. DCS requires a constant voltage. I would recommend not doing constant voltage switching with the DCS Controller in line. I might not cause an issue, but it might not be healthy for the DCS. I would recommend using a 3-way switch (sometimes they are called 3-way automotive switches). You can get them online for fairly cheap. This will let you switch the Z-Controller output between the DCS controller and the direct to track paths. I actually do the same thing with my DCS system and conventional power supply and it works perfectly well. Here would be the idea.  |
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Post by phil55 on Apr 5, 2023 19:23:47 GMT
Thanks Adam!
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Post by jdekan on Apr 6, 2023 0:20:01 GMT
You won't be able to do Conventional Control and DCS on the same track at the same time. DCS requires a constant voltage. I would recommend not doing constant voltage switching with the DCS Controller in line. I might not cause an issue, but it might not be healthy for the DCS. I would recommend using a 3-way switch (sometimes they are called 3-way automotive switches). You can get them online for fairly cheap. This will let you switch the Z-Controller output between the DCS controller and the direct to track paths. I actually do the same thing with my DCS system and conventional power supply and it works perfectly well. Here would be the idea. Thanks for this Adam! You inadvertently solved a problem I would have eventually had! One question though, how is your layout wired after the switch/dcs controller? Just so I have a reference. |
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Post by Adam on Apr 6, 2023 14:13:59 GMT
You won't be able to do Conventional Control and DCS on the same track at the same time. DCS requires a constant voltage. I would recommend not doing constant voltage switching with the DCS Controller in line. I might not cause an issue, but it might not be healthy for the DCS. I would recommend using a 3-way switch (sometimes they are called 3-way automotive switches). You can get them online for fairly cheap. This will let you switch the Z-Controller output between the DCS controller and the direct to track paths. I actually do the same thing with my DCS system and conventional power supply and it works perfectly well. Here would be the idea. Thanks for this Adam! You inadvertently solved a problem I would have eventually had! One question though, how is your layout wired after the switch/dcs controller? Just so I have a reference. I’m glad I’m able to help. My layout is small, only 8x4 footprint. In my case I only have only connection to the track using an old fashioned Lionel lock-on (using tubular from Menards and Lionel). If you have a larger layout you likely need to have more than 1 power connection to the track. My use of the switch is slightly different from the photo I shared. I have 2 power/control sources 1) A conventional PS/Controller and 2) DCS system with a power brick. So the 3-way switch is used to select between the two and I only need one lock-on to the track. Let me know if this helps or if you need more info. |
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