OK, lemme get dis right…I hook up both wires from my transformer and hook up my Command base to the outer rails. Izzat right? My Powermaster works on conventional, no problem, red & green lights are lit up.
Right now, I have a wire going from the transformer to the center rail and 1 wire from the base to outer rail. I have no connection from transformer U to the outer rail at all. Am I dense?
Thanks for the help, guys!
Rich
The best way to wire for TMCC is just to wire as if the command base isn’t there.
In other words, both wires go to the track as they normally would for conventional operation.
Then, simply wire your command base to the outer rail, and everything should work properly.
Rich,
Sounds like you’ve got the wiring correct…as long as U is connected to the base and a wire from the same base binding post goes to the outer rails. Check the Pot for the post I wrote on proper wall wort grounding. No ground can virtually kill signals.
Bruce Webster
Rich,
Do you have an adapter cable to connect your transformer to your powermaster?
Powermaster A to #1 and U to #2 on the lockon.
If the powermaster is functioning correctly you shouldn’t need a command base.
Just a quick update:
I ordered the power supply part number 6-10-2911-010 from Lionel Wednesday. I used an adapter and there is no ground there. For $10, it couldn’t hurt. Finally found the wiring diagram I could understand on www.coilcouplers.com, maybe I’m gettin old or something (or just dense), so at least that part is done. When I get the power supply, I’ll check it again. It’s either that or sell it all and go Legacy.[banghead]
Still haven’t figured out the powermaster thing yet. Probably Sunday. I agree, you shouldn’t need a base with this, but Lionel insisted I needed one.
Final Update!!!
Power Supply came in. Plugged it into the powerstrip I have on the layout. Signal was intermittant at best. Remembered what everyone said (and Lionel) that it uses the HOUSE ground through the plug. Plugged into closest house outlet and VIOLA, my Chessie Super Freight steamer in awesome. LOTS of SMOKE!!! Works perfectly.
Thanks everyone, who helped out and gave me hints and tips. Just need to find a TMCC book (or I guess just go to coil couplers…)so I can fine tune this whole deal.
Thanks again boys. It’s really great to have friends in the hobby![bow][swg][tup][8D]
Rich
Rich…You can download a free TMCC instruction book at Lionel’s website. Here is the website were you can download the manual. http://www.lionel.com/products/productnavigator/InstructionManuals/71-2911-250.pdf Just take it page by page.
You might like this too, http://www.lionel.com/products/productnavigator/InstructionManuals/71-2911-251.pdf
Rich, glad it working. Now I run all of my electronics through a surge protector. Now, if you buy a good one [cost a few $$$ more], will work fine. Some have caused poor grounds. Also, if you find “dead” spots in the room, you can run ground plains [antennas] from the ground. It was easy for me as I was near the upstairs subpanel which had a ground run downstairs to the driven ground for the house. I just ran wires to all corners of both rooms from that ground. You can do it bu running wires from a grounded outlet. Buy a three prong plug, do NOT wire to the common and hot [brass and silver] blades. Wire to the equipment ground [rounded one and usually a green screw]. Plug it in and you have an antenna.
Thanks guys. I downloaded 2 manuals 1 for the Command Base and 1 for the Powermaster Base. I’ll read through them this weekend. I have the benefit of having the fuse box 6 feet away from the plug that the base is in, so I’m good there. I ran the Chessie for about 20 minutes after I got it up and running. I’ll put the Powermaster on the outer loop and see what happens. Once the car gets sold (If ever[banghead]), I may move back into the garage and make a bigger layout. I have no room where I’m at now. I’ll just have to buy a portible A/C system…[sigh]
Great information GIZ!
I need to install:
Should this ‘antenna’ run under a length of track? or around the loop?
Looks like a lot of us got the bug!
Kurt
It’s actually quite easy once you figured out the wiring [banghead][banghead]
Lionels instructions leave A LOT to be desired, either that or I’m senile[:-^][sigh]
Runs great, just need to get more TMCC equipped engines in the stable.
Please don’t. I did that and had problems. Then Roy M called and told me I was shorting out Ground Plain. Which from my old mobile radio days, I should have known.
Look between the two engines and tracks, see the bare copper wire stapled down [will hide this in drinking straw as a drainage pipe.
Another bare copper wire is hidden by the door trim on the right side as pictured.
Look on the other side of the switcher, see the bare copper wire stapled between tracks.
I also have one overhead in each tunnel going from room to room. One at the back window frame in back room. Now, Legacy seems to do better than the TMCCI. With TMCCI, I could control trains from downstairs but had several “dead spots” within both rooms.