Question about wiring the Lionel Track Power Controllers

Hello all,

Will the various Lionel track power controllers work with postwar transformers, or do they require one of the Lionel power “bricks”? I have a friend who hasn’t bought TMCC yet and has no TMCC engines, but would like to control his conventional engines with the CAB-1. I have already told him that it’s possible, but I’m unsure of how the TPC’s are powered. I will appreciate any guidance. Thanks!

Joel

Here is Lionel’s manual on the TPC. I got one a while back & use my postwar ZW for it . One of the best things I ever did was to get this !! You will need the command base & cab-1 also.

http://www.lionel.com/products/productnavigator/InstructionManuals/71-4189-250.pdf

Thanks, John

I use 180 and 135 watt Lionel PowerHouses now but in the past have linked pw ZWs and a MTH Z4ks to my TPCS. You just set the throttles on the ZW and/or Z4k at 16-18 volts if using the TMCC system. Both of these transformers are limited to 180 watts [10 amps] capacity per throtle. 180 watts is the maxium output of a pw 275 ZW

The original 135 watt PM-1 Powermasters can be used with the CAB-1 to control trains in conventional mode. No Command Base required. Up to 10 PM-1’s per layout can be used on each CAB-1 frequency for non-command equipment.

Rob

Thanks to you all! Wow, I didn’t know you could use the CAB-1 with the original PowerMasters with no command base. My friend will be REALLY happy to hear that.

Joel