Base 1L Power supply

My 1L base did not work properly with the original wallwart that came with it. That was several years back and at that time Lionel sent a power supply for a Cab 2. I believe the ratings for both volts and amps was higher than the original power supply. I will have to look for the other one to see if I have it, if so you can have for shipping cost.

Ray

according to the manual there should be a walwart supplied with it did you buy it new but that supply is to power to the base only you need a transformer  to power track /did not see rays answer looks like he can help

Thanks, Ray, I might take you up on that.  I'll shoot you an email.  In the meantime, has anybody used another wallwart with theirs?

The command/legacy base wall warts connect the house wiring ground (green wire) to the base ground.  This allows the 455KHz TMCC signal to use the house wiring as an antenna.   If you use a off-the-shelf wall wart, you have to provide a means to get the 455KHz signal to the house wiring ground.  The recommended solution is to fabricate a DB9 serial cable that provides an external tap to pin 5 of the DB9 and connect that wire to the house wiring ground (center screw in an outlet cover).  Here's one of the threads that discusses this.

If you are using the Base 1L in conjunction with a Legacy Base, the Legacy Base provides the 455KHz transmission.  In this configuration, the Base 1L acts only as a receiver for the 1L handheld and the 455KHz signal is not needed - a generic wall wart will be OK.

Thanks, Tracker John, that's just the explanation I needed.  Sounds like I need the original wallwart...

@Tracker John posted:

If you are using the Base 1L in conjunction with a Legacy Base, the Legacy Base provides the 455KHz transmission.  In this configuration, the Base 1L acts only as a receiver for the 1L handheld and the 455KHz signal is not needed - a generic wall wart will be OK.

The BASE1L doesn't work with the Legacy base.  The old TMCC command base works with the Legacy base, but the BASE1L doesn't.   The reason for this restriction is both of them use the same 2.4ghz channels to communicate with the respective command bases.  Also, the CAB1L communicates directly with the Legacy base, so it's really pointless to connect a BASE1L to the Legacy base, even if it did work.

I did a search to see if I had the original power supply for my Cab 1L. I believe that I found it but to be absolutely sure can anyone tell me what the output volts and amps should be?

Thanks

Ray

Looks like 9v AC at 500mA.  This is the photo from the Lionel parts website, although it's listed as unavailable:

The actual supply on my BASE1L is indeed 9VAC 500ma.

Crisis averted: the seller located the original wallwart.  Thanks to all who taught me more about how this system works.

If I'm reading this thread correctly, a Base 1L comes WITH its own power supply. Is that correct?

I bought one today and it doesn't have a power supply and the person at the train store said the power supply is sold separately and he didn't have one in stock. But I can't find anything that has the 3 prong grounded outlet.

I really don't want to build my own serial port wire 5 ground.

Baloney!!!  The power brick comes with the base, the guy at the train store is ripping you off!  Time to shop a different train store after you take that half a product back and get a refund!

Thanks, @gunrunnerjohn - I'll be going back ASAP!

If your power supply wall wart has stopped working,  it's probably because the internal 7 &1/2 amp fuse blew.  Open the case and check it out,  the fuse is soldered in line. One option that I did was to drill 2 holes in the case and solder an automotive type in line fuse holder outside the case. Then I can replace the fuse if it blows again.

How about a once-and-done fix?  Use a PTC inline to replace the fuse, you'll never have to open the case again.  I sure wouldn't want a fuse hanging on the outside of the case!

Here's my suggested installation in the Legacy #990 power brick, I won't be in this one again!