Does BPC Respond To Emergency Off?

The Block Power Controller is programed as an accessory so I think the system halt would shut it down. I don't have one so I can't be sure. Maybe someone with one will run a test.

Ron

I use a TPC.  It is controlled through the Cammand Base.  If I hit "emergency", it shuts down power to the track.  But I don't know if the BPC can do the same.

If you have a Powermaster in place of a TPC-yes. If you have neither-you don't run in conventional mode-hmm...The BPC manual says'pushing the Halt button on the Cab 1 will remove power to the layout by shutting down the TPC/Powermasters. This will remove all power to the track--To restore power to the track after the Halt key has been pressed is done by simply turning the TPC/ Powermasters back on and power is restored'- That tells me your power needs to be routed thru a TPC or Powermaster which are linked up to the DAT/COM  DB-9 connection from the Command Base. If not, your power source won't get the signal to shut off that comes via the DAT/COM connection. The BPC is a power routing device-not the source of the power. The TPC/PM  is a device that can take that power supply and convert it to a constant 18 volts for TMCC operation or use it for variable voltage output for conventional operation. It will also shut off the power supply to the track when selected.     

Thanks for the answer. Running NO conventional, I was thinking not to run a variable power device like a TPC...just run a TMCC accessible power on/off device. I noticed that the BPC which can handle 20 amps could do this, but I would also require use of the emergency halt...which it may not have. Sounds like it doesn't. I kind of don't care for the shark's tooth waveform out of the ZW (new), the TPC, etc. when I don't need variable voltage.

A simple device for us non conventional runners would be a real TMCC Lockon that could be connected to dat/com and receive the power on/off as well as the halt signal. That would do it all without all this complication when you don't need it.

How about a big red switch?

On a more serious note, you could wire one or more power relays to an SC-2 channel that would release with the emergency stop.  You'd just have to go to that accessory address and turn it back on when you wanted to power the layout back up.

That's a thought. I've just been thinking that the Lionel TMCC electronics has been a mix of backwards compatibility requirements for conventional and not a real commitment to train master control if that's all one wishes.

I think both MTH and Lionel have tried to maintain the conventional market, why cut out a market segment?

Didn't mean not to have dual stuff (and there's a lot of it), just thought one real simple TMCC Lockon might be a seller.

OK, Like a knucklehead, now I'm rethinking this. You have a power brick to a BPC so you can turn on and off blocks-I think--and I get that. You are running TMCC with a command base that is in DAT/COM communication with the Cab1. Ok, so something is bugging me, telling me that pressing the HALT button WILL cease operations. So I go back to my most basic TMCC manual, the one that came with my Command Control Special Hudson set, and next to the picture of a Cab1 on page 8 is the Halt button and I will quote 'Press HALT for emergency stops only. HALT stops all Command equipped locomotives in action and shuts down all PowerMaster output'

Looking at your question again, I would say that upon pressing the HALT button on the Cab1, the power will still be on the track blocks, but your CC equipped locos will be quickly put into PARK. It was bugging me that HALT was always a very basic function/ feature that would stop your CC locos. If that is what you are looking for, I'd say you're cool.

Hmmm...that sounds good. That would minimize a collision threat. And a derailment would just trip out the Lockon or the brick. So sounds like that would work.

I don't think it trips out the lockon or the brick, I think it's simply a matter of the command base giving a digital signal to the locos to stop when the HALT button is pressed.

 What is this lockon of which you speak? Is it just a connection of power to the track, or is it a special TMCC product that I'm not up to speed on? That has 'special powers' (sorry, meant to say 'different features') besides simply a secure connection from power source to track. I may need to research TMCC lockon 

I did a quick search and saw a TMCC lockon that says it eliminates the need for a PowerMaster (or TPC) if running in a command only environment. Is that the lockon? if so, you are definitely good to go. That WILL shut off power to the track. This one looked like a shed. Sound familiar?

I think the implication was that the overcurrent due to the derailment would trip the brick or the lockon.  The TMCC Lockon does not receive the TMCC signal at all, and will not shut down with the HALT.

Yes that's it. It doesn't have any actual TMCC receiver in it, (even though Lionel calls it that), but it does have a robust relay in it and a breaker circuit for tripping out from a short. The trip current is switchable to the 180 or the 135 watt brick which plugs right in. I guess that's why they call it tmcc...since you can't use it with conventional with just a brick.

What I meant by a REAL TMCC Lockon is one that WOULD respond to the commands. Then one would bypass all those variable voltage boxes.

The TMCC Direct Lockon only interrupts power for a short, it has no TMCC functionality.  It's a useful box, but not for that issue.

I see. If you are interested, I inventoried all equipment this past weekend, made a list, and I have 2 PowerMasters that could use a home. They can be yours for a song. I am planning on putting them on the for sale forum.    

I'm interested in a PowerMaster if it's the switchable 135/180 watt unit, 6-24130.

Alas, they are #6-12867.  A shame, I could use a song right now.  and a coupla bucks wouldn't hurt either.

What song do you like?

If you want to upgrade a 135 watt version to pass 180 watts, the modification is extremely simple - just shorten the loop of wire that senses the current.  I have done this mod to several Powermasters.

It is really that simple?  Are the components internally the same for the two?

There are a few different revisions of the Powermaster PC board.  The one with the power range switch simply changes the reference DC voltage on the current sensor chip's comparator to raise it a bit higher for the 180 watt setting.  Reducing the length of the wire loop simply lowers the voltage going into the comparator's other input, accomplishing the same shift in range.

The FETs are the same or equivalent.

I always install a TVS across the FETs.  The original design had a TVS, but it was a low-wattage version than what we use.  I had one board were the original TVS burned out.  On the newest PC board, the pads for the TVS were removed, but I just drill a couple of holes.

In that case, I might be interested in these.   Drop me a line William 1 and let me know what you're looking for.