PDI Sniffer

from $10.00

I recommend against tampering with the Lionel PDI cables.  I also recommend against tampering with any and all Lionel devices.  There's lots of stuff going on there, including voltages.  If you do something wrong you may possibly blow-up expensive Lionel equipment.  Again, I recommend against tampering with any Lionel anything and I am NOT RESPONSIBLE for any damage you inflict.  However, there are some of you out there who never listen to advice…  If you must have it, here is the Lionel PDI Sniffer.  It is only available as a kit consisting of one small circuit board and three PDI connectors.

PDI Sniffer Kit:

I recommend against tampering with the Lionel PDI cables.  I also recommend against tampering with any and all Lionel devices.  There's lots of stuff going on there, including voltages.  If you do something wrong you may possibly blow-up expensive Lionel equipment.  Again, I recommend against tampering with any Lionel anything and I am NOT RESPONSIBLE for any damage you inflict.  However, there are some of you out there who never listen to advice…  If you must have it, here is the Lionel PDI Sniffer.  It is only available as a kit consisting of one small circuit board and three PDI connectors.

As described previously (“see PDI to PDI Splice”), the Lionel cables are "Null Modem" cables.  This Sniffer is intended to have standard Lionel PDI cables at the INPUT and OUTPUT connectors (shown at the top of the image).  In this configuration the Sniffer acts like my PDI to PDI Splice.  However, the pictured bottom connector taps the signal transmitted from the input to the output (but NOT any signal transmitted from the output to the input).  It is not intended any signal from the bottom connector be sent to either top connector.  It listens only (sniffs).  If you want to listen to transmissions from the other direction, swap the cables.

An optional 10cm long straight through PDI cable is available. This cable CAN NOT be used as a Lionel PDI cable .  It is straight through, not a "Null Modem" cable.  It is intended to connect to something like my PDI Adapter Daughtercard.  Do not use it to connect any Lionel device.

All images should be considered representative.  That is, the PCB or color may change and components, logo, whatever… may be added, removed, revised, or moved. What you receive may look different – but it will work as described.