8 7 6 5 COMM BLOCK COMM 78-1640-250 8/14 4 3 2 1 BLOCK BPC2 6-81640 LCS PDI CABLES use either connector PROGRAM A AC Power U A U Lionel Block Power Controller 2 (BPC2) Owner's Manual
Congratulations! Y our layout has always been more than the sum of its parts. But until now, combining those parts into a complete system could be a challenge. Lionel’s new Layout Control System or “LCS,” fulfills the LEGACY promise of integrated locomotive and layout control.
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What is Lionel’s Layout Control System? LCS doesn’t replace your existing Lionel Legacy Control system. It adds to it! You can control your layout from Lionel Cab Remote controllers or from smart devices like an Apple iPad and run locomotives, operate track switches, accessories and lighting. Create automatic events to control passing locomotives and other layout accessories or switches. LCS is a modular system, with each product offering unique features.
LCS BPC2 Module T 8 7 6 5 COMM BLOCK COMM he BPC2 module is designed to be connected to track power blocks on your model railroad layout. Blocks are isolated track sections modelers use to help control multiple trains on the same layout. Real railroads often use blocks as well. Theirs don’t control power to the trains, but do separate the railroad into separate districts to keep trains safely spaced. These blocks are often marked by signals.
Installing Your First LCS Device T he following section describes installation of a new LCS system. If you already have installed your first LCS component, please skip ahead to the next section titled “Installing additional LCS devices.” When installing a new LCS system, the process you will follow depends on which (if any) Lionel Command Base is to be connected to your LCS system. The following sections describe starting a new LCS installation with a Legacy Base, a Base-1L, or without any command base.
Installing Your First LCS Device Installing a new LCS system with a Legacy Base To install a new LCS system on a layout with a Legacy Command Base: 1. 2. 3. 4. Turn off power to your layout and Legacy Base. Connect the DC wall-pack to the female cable-mount connector of the LCS DB-9 Cable. Connect the DB-9 connector of the LCS DB-9 Cable to your Legacy Command Base.
Installing Your First LCS Device Installing a new LCS system with a Base-1L To install a new LCS system on a layout with a Base-1L Command Base: 1. 2. 3. 4. Turn off power to your layout and Base-1L Connect the DC wall-pack to the female cable-mount connector of the LCS DB-9 Cable. Connect the DB-9 connector of the LCS DB-9 Cable to your Base-1L.
Installing Your First LCS Device Installing LCS with Legacy AND TrainMaster Command Bases T he following instructions apply ONLY if you are using one or more original CAB-1 remotes with a Legacy command base. It is not necessary to follow these instructions to use the CAB-1L remote with a Legacy command base.
Installing Your First LCS Device Installing LCS with Legacy AND TrainMaster Command Bases (continued) Your system should resemble the figure below. Figure 6. Installing LCS with Legacy AND TrainMaster Command Bases Once connected and powered-up, the yellow LED on the Legacy Base will blink once every second. With this setup, you can control Lionel locomotives and Layout Control System products using any combination of LEGACY Remotes, CAB-1L remotes and original CAB-1 remotes.
Installing a new LCS system with NO Command Base T he Layout Control System can be used without a Lionel Command base. This would be appropriate for a layout which only uses “conventional” or “transformer-controlled” locomotives or a different type of locomotive control system such as DCC. An LCS WiFi is required, as are one other LCS module (such as ASC2 or BPC2). To install a new LCS system on a layout that does NOT include Lionel Command Base: 1.
Installing additional LCS devices T his section describes adding a new device to an existing Layout Control System installation. If you are installing a brand new LCS system, please refer to the previous section of this document, “Installing Your First LCS Device.” Adding additional LCS devices to an existing Layout Control System requires an additional cable for each new device. These “LCS PDI Cables” come in a variety of pre-made lengths.
Configuring Your BPC2 T he illustration below shows the name and location of each switch, connector and indicator light on your LCS BPC2 module. The function of each is described on following pages. A – Track Power Block terminals should be connected to electrically-isolated track power blocks. B – Label for the track power block screw terminals. C – LCS PDI cable inputs. Use either connector. D – Red LCS PDI activity indicator. E – Program switch used to set the BPC2’s TMCC ID base address.
Configuring Your BPC2 Connect Accessory Transformer to Relay Power Terminals Y 6 5 4 3 2 1 BLOCK BLOCK 8 7 6 5 COMM 7 COMM 8 COMM BLOCK COMM our BPC2 requires an external power source to operate its 8 internal relays. This must be supplied from a separate accessory transformer. Connect an accessory transformer with an 12-14 VAC output to the BPC2’s front screw terminal connections marked “A” and “U” as shown in Figure 9 below.
Configuring Your BPC2 Understanding BPC2 Software Configuration Your BPC2 software configuration is a single operation that controls four distinct areas: 1. Track Addressing vs. Accessory Addressing 2. The base address/TMCC ID used to control connected track power blocks 3. The optional "restore last relay settings on power-up" mode. When selected, any track blocks that were powered on when you last shutdown your layout will be automatically turned on at power-up. 4. Sub-mode setting.
Configuring the BPC2 for TRACK Addresses Y our BPC2 can be addressed as either a TR (Track) device or an ACC (Accessory). The features available in both addressing modes are identical, choose whichever suits your layout best. Note that while configuring your BPC2 following the instructions below, all track block power relays will automatically be switched to their off position. Once programming is complete, you will need to turn the desired relays back on manually.
Configuring the BPC2 for ACCESSORY Addresses To configure your BPC2 for ACCESSORY-Address Operation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Turn power to your command base and LCS system on. Press and hold the BPC2 PGM button for 1 second. The red LED will begin blinking slowly. On your Lionel cab remote, press ACC to choose ACCESSORY-address operation. Enter the 1 or 2 digit base address/TMCC ID. Press SET. The red LED will go on solid for 1 second, and then continue flashing.
Track Power Wiring examples T his section of the manual describes configuring the BPC2 for operation of up to 8 individual track power blocks. Track power should be connected to the terminals on the BPC2. Refer to Figure 8, letter B. The label “Block” shows which terminals correspond to power blocks 1 through 8. Power block 1 through 4 share one common connection and 5-8 share another. Keep in mind that the BPC2 does not supply power to the connected tracks; this device simply acts as an ON/OFF switch.
Track Power Wiring examples Wiring a single track power block To connect a single track power block to your BPC2: 1. Attach one wire to the Power/A terminal on your power supply and connect it to the COMM terminal of the BPC2. 2. Attach another wire to the Common/Ground/U terminal on the power supply and connect to the outside rail of a tubular track power lock-on or FasTrack power terminal. 3.
Track Power Wiring examples Wiring four all 8 power blocks to a single transformer T o connect all eight track power blocks to a single track power transformer using your BPC2, refer to the wiring diagram below. Note that the Power "A" terminal from the Track Power transformer must be jumpered to both the COMM terminals on the BPC2. Your Track Power transformer must have sufficient capacity to operate the combined current draw of all operating locomotives on all active track power blocks.
Track Power Wiring examples Wiring multiple blocks in two power districts I n the example below, two separate Track Power transformers are used, creating two separate "power districts." In this case, Sidings 1-4 are part of one power district and two Main tracks are part of the other. This arrangement can split the current draw of all operating locomotives between two transformers, depending on which section of your layout each locomotive is currently in.
Controlling Tracks wired to the BPC2 T o address your switch, press TR or ACC and the TMCC ID# of the block on the CAB remote controller. Be sure to enter the specific ID# corresponding to the BPC2 terminals to which the block is wired. Once you've addressed a track power block, it can be operated using the AUX1 and AUX2 keys on your remote. To turn track power on: Press the AUX1 button on your CAB remote controller. To turn track power off: Press the AUX2 button on your CAB remote controller.
Appendix Operation of LEDs O n power up, the Red LED on your BPC2 will turn on for 1 second. If it remains on continuously, this indicates a problem with the LCS PDI cabling or your command base. During operation, the Red LED flickers when commands are passing through the LCS PDI bus. Specifications of the LCS BPC2 Mechanical • Size: 3.7” x 2.7” x 1.
Lionel Limited Warranty Policy & Service Lionel product, including all mechanical and electrical components, moving parts, motors and structural components, with the Tyearhisexception of LIGHT BULBS, LED’s & TRACTION TIRES are warranted to the original owner-purchaser for a period of one from the original date of purchase against original defects in materials or workmanship when purchased through a Lionel Authorized Retailer*.
