is the TMCC TPC 400 better then the lionel powermaster and does the tmcc tpc work like the powermaster ???
in what regard? Price? wattage capability? I have a powermaster I run off a 150W PW V model. It’s awesome! Remote controlled Post war trains are fun!!
Roland
I’m running two TPC’s off of PW ZW’s. I love them. I use one for each mainline and run multi PW engines with CAB1.
I own TPC 300’s and love them. To me, they are the best toy train controller available. The only difference between a 300 and a 400 is the wattage. You have 80/200/400 speed steps, very low starting voltages, programmable as either a TR or an ENG. Macro buttons to control PS-1 and PS-2 loco’s (in conventional mode). The PowerMaster’s only advantage is that it can be controlled directly by a CAB-1 (it predates the rest of the TMCC system). PM has 32 power steps, higher starting voltage, addressable only as a TR, 180 watts top power.
I like the 400 because I can handle more power if I want to. In addition just like it’s little brother it does a real nice job with the MTH engines. It is very easy to program and easy to hide on the layout. My only complaint is that it is expensive at least I think it is.
I have two 180 bricks on my 400 and I plan on adding at least another TPC 400. The TPC does a great job running the modern Lionel trains or even the post war trains. While you have to operate MTH trains in conventional I can’t tell the difference after all the Cab 1 does all the work.
The Track Power Controllers are more reliable than the PowerMasters.
The only catch is that they have a default setting for Command Mode and you must use the Command Base. If you derail in conventional mode, reset to conventional immediately.
The Command Base recives radio signals better than the PowerMasters.
PowerMasters have to be positioned very carefully to get the full radio signal.
Andrew