CAB-1 Remote problems?

What are you powering the Command Base with?

This may seem like a strange question, but it is of the utmost importance.

Nope not a strange question at all, I have the Command Base powered by the wall transformer that came with it. Model  AC120100 "Use only with Base-1" 120VAC 60Hz 3W  Output 12VAC 100ma

"I have had a CAB-1 Remote, PowerHouse and PowerMaster since they came out new years ago, they have never had much use, if any.

I just added a Command Base to the setup."

I am confused by the above statement.  the cab1 came with a base;

http://www.lionel.com/products...command-set-6-12969/

Big Dodge,

          The Cab-1 did not come with a base when it was first introduced years ago. I jumped on it when it first came out, literally. At that time there were only three components to TMCC, the Cab-1, Powermaster and Powerhouse. Lionel had not yet introduced the concept of Command Control at that point, so there was no base to program CC engines. The Command base was introduced a couple of years later as I just found out when I went to try and program some of the engines I had that were CC. I kept reading about this Command base that I needed but had no idea what it was, I kept saying "I have all the TMCC pieces!! What the heck is a Command base???" Shows you how far behind I've fallen in the world of Model Railroading!

Thanks Banjoflyer- I will do that!

ConrailFan posted:

...I have the Command Base powered by the wall transformer that came with it. Model  AC120100...

OK, good, that is critical.

What is it plugged into?

Hi Rob,

          One end plugged into a power strip, the other into the Command Base.

You need to plug the adapter directly into a grounded duplex wall outlet.

Try what Rob said. Your power strip could have a surge protector in it which does not help TMCC.

I apologize for the delay in response guys, I will try that along with what BanjoFlyer suggested. I may not get back to you soon because I am on my work week now 14 hr days, but I definitely will get back to you with my results.

Hi All, I'm back, so here is what I have done. The layout was a carpet layout and although the trains ran great with my P/W and MPC items, when I put on the new items like my SD80's and SF AC6000, I noticed a lot of dead spot problems. So I moved the carpet layout off the carpet and onto a tile floor, while I was at it I disassembled all the track, cleaned all the connections and track and reassembled it. Next I followed the advice given by Rob and plugged my Command base into a wall socket and tried that before I fabricated a cable to connect a regular transformer to the PowerMaster like BanjoFlyer suggested.

So the SF AC6000 that was giving me so much trouble, now works perfectly in conventional and command, Wow! what a difference. I am sad to say that both SD80's that were working good in command before are now having problems. The problem is when I move the control knob on my Cab-1 it takes about 5 -6 turns to get the engine(s) to actually speed up and then they take off, so I turn it down about a knob and they shut off. Where they used to work in "Boost" and  "Brake" they don't anymore, I get the squealing brake effects, but as far as the engine slowing down, it doesn't. This was not happening before. So I tried a Mikado and a Consolidation steam engine and both work flawlessly. I reprogrammed both SD80's to no avail, so I can live with that. But if you have any more suggestions on what could be causing that problem, I'm all ears.

I also have one more question, how do I shut down track power? I thought it was AUX1+0 but that does not seem to work. For now I have been using the HALT button. I want to thank everyone for their advice and help for this newbie. Man, when did model trains get so complicated and when I was 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 my knees didn't hurt nearly as much as they do today crawling around a tile floor chasing after trains! LOL!! Thanks Again for all the help and advice!

Mark,

          Thanks Very Much! I wasn't sure on the momentum setting although I read it over and over. I am running a Powermaster to power the track, I will give your suggestion a go. Thanks Again!

To shut down track power press t, then whatever number you gave the track , then aux 1 , then 0,this will shut down the power to the track .

Try and the power master assigned number, then aux1 and 0 shuts off the power to the track from the powermaster but your transformer will still be on. Just remember that.

If you set the stall settings on those sd80's, you make them react faster to your cab-1 dial. Get your engine moving and press set button, then get you engine moving in set mode as the headlight will be flashing denoting it is in set mode. Then dial down the engine speed to almost stop and press the set button. Engine should stop and I think the horn will sound also.