Basic TMCC issue.. What am I missing?

Huh?  Is there another part of this thread?   What's the problem?

The command base does not talk to the PH-1.  The PH-1 (aka 135W PowerHouse) is just a dumb transformer.  You need to plug it into either the ZW-C or a PowerMaster (TMCC or Legacy) to get track power control.  If it's an old TMCC PM then the Cab-1 remotes talks directly to the PM.  If you are using a Cab-2 you need a Legacy base and PM bridge.  If it's a Legacy PM, then you need a command base.

Although there is a possibility for a surge protected outlet strip to degrade the command signal, I haven't found that to be a major issue. My Legacy Base runs thru several of them without problems.

I use a surge protected power strip with no issues whatsoever.  I did attach a ground plane wire to the house copper cold water pipes.  Since the layout is in the basement I figured this couldn't hurt, it seemed to help a lot.  Now to the question at hand, if I understand correctly you have a power supply, a command base and a CAB-1, correct?  From your post it also seems like you have TMCC locomotives, correct?  If so and you want to run conventional my question would be why?  As soon as you hook up a command base to the track your TMCC locos want to listen to that signal.  No amount of wishing is going to make them perform as conventional locos.  It sure looks like something is missing from the thread.

Gregg posted:

Huh?  Is there another part of this thread?   What's the problem?

The problem is that I'm not getting communication between the PM 1 and the TMCC command base, I think.. No voltage to the track.. When programming the PM 1 the green light is on but the red light should flicker, correct?? The remote is communicating with the base, I'm assuming, because the green light is on on the remote and the red light flickers when I turn the throttle knob or push the boost button.. Batteries are new in the remote and installed properly.. The layout functions fine when run by a transformer (LW).. Sorry for the confusion.. It's confusing me also.. The layout has worked in TMCC or Conventional mode in the past..

The PM - 1 does not communicate with the Command Base.  The PM-1 talks directly to the Cab1.  The PM-1 has two lights on the top (Green and red).  The green light indicates it is on.  Its Red light will flash when it receives commands from the Cab1.  Is the switch on the PM-1 in the run position?

Looks like if you want to run conventional you have to  unplug the command base.  (cycle power a couple of times..)

I can't remember how I addressed  the Power -Master with the cab-1...   Track 1 boost?  My old powermaster  cable had a fuse in line to the power supply.   does yours?

Joe Fermani posted:

The PM - 1 does not communicate with the Command Base.  The PM-1 talks directly to the Cab1.  The PM-1 has two lights on the top (Green and red).  The green light indicates it is on.  Its Red light will flash when it receives commands from the Cab1.  Is the switch on the PM-1 in the run position?

Switch is in the run position.. Green light on PM-1 is on.. The red light does not flash on the PM-1.. The red light does flash on the base..

Gregg posted:

Looks like if you want to run conventional you have to  unplug the command base.  (cycle power a couple of times..)

I can't remember how I addressed  the Power -Master with the cab-1...   Track 1 boost?  My old powermaster  cable had a fuse in line to the power supply.   does yours?

 

Did the above.. No in line fuse.. Green light is on..

PM-1: switch to "program".

Cab-1: TR-x(x=1-9), then "set".

PM-1: switch to "run".

Cab-1: TR-x(whichever you chose) - Boost.
You should now have control of the PM-1.

ADCX Rob posted:

PM-1: switch to "program".

Cab-1: TR-x(x=1-9), then "set".

PM-1: switch to "run".

Cab-1: TR-x(whichever you chose) - Boost.
You should now have control of the PM-1.

That resolved the issue!!! Worked one time, now not working again, may be 'operator error' now.. Late on the East Coast.. Will try again tomorrow.. Many thanks Rob!!

After pushing TR and the number you program it you can also push the bell, whistle, or break buttons to switch to controlling the PM-1 in addition to the boost button.  Once you have, you still need to turn the red knob to increase track voltage.  The old PM-1s only respond to TR, not ENG.

If it still isn't working, the PM-1 may be drifting off frequency, which requires opening it and making an adjustment.  The late Dale M. of these forums had a web blog where he had a post that addressed how to make this adjustment, although it was tailored for the TMCC base and not the PM-1.  I had to follow them to make my TMCC base work when I bought it (used).