TPC-300 Plug will not go into TMCC Base all the way.

Classic Toy Trains Forum
1

Just got my TPC-300 & the cable # 6-14191 will not go into the command base receptical far enough to let the screws reach the threads & tighten down. I wonder if anyone would know what the problem is . Thanks for any help !!

John

2

Yes, I know what the problem is John. Lionel did not make it right. [:O] (This problem has been documented by others on this and other forums for about the last four years. )

I have a TPC-300 and I have the same exact problem. [sigh] Just get some longer screws or use duct tape. I just connected mine and it stayed. As a side note, I don’t understand why Lionel hasn’t fixed this known problem. [:(] It is just a five pin computer connection. [banghead]

John, if you didn’t get an instruction manual, make sure you download it from the Lionel web page.

3

Oh, thanks so much Buckeye !! I was just about to go & buy another command base set, thinking something was wrong with my base, maybe old one or something !! I never ran across that fix before !!

Thanks again !!

John

4

I made my serial cables up from Radio Shack parts and had the same problem. But it stays plugged in.

5

Dewey : would you still have that material list ? Mine seems to stay plugged in, but it doesn’t feel very tight !!

Thanks, John

6

John, take teh screws out of the cable end, go to ACE [or any hardware store] and get longer screws with same thread. Mine are packed up in box or I would tell you the size. Replace the present ones with regular screws. Then cable will not accidently come out.

7

Thanks Chief !! I’ll do just that, then !! Boy, TPCs are nice & now I can use my coil coupler on my MTH engine !!

Thanks, John

8

John

Materials: I used a male DB-9 Connector [Shack part #276-1537] which is required for the Command Base serial port connection.

2 small rolls of #22 stranded copper wire from Shack, one roll of red one of green.

Wiring steps:

Connect the RED [Dat] wire to pin 2 of the DB-9 connector and the GREEN [Com] wire to pin 5.

Connect the other wire end[s] to the TPC’s terminals. RED to the terminal screw marked Dat and GREEN to the terminal screw marked Com.

[Com/Green on pin 5 is the interface to earth ground thru the Command Base 3-prong plug. The TPC Com terminal screw is a convienent place to connect a copper wire that is being used as a “ground plane” on your layout where tracks go over/under and create TMCC operating problems. Info courtesy of Dale and Cam, electronics gurus par excellent].

9

Thanks for that info, Dewey.

10

I have the same problem, but mine is tight.

11

Yes, a big thank you here too, Dewey !!

Thanks, John

12

The wiring is really a computer coupling and you can use what are called standoffs to get to the required length. They are available at Radio Shack.