Engine / Track control

I'm confused as to the exact configuration of tracks and the Powermaster.

Why are you using a Powermaster for a TMCC locomotive?  Did you try to put that locomotive on a track powered by the transformer directly?  No power to the track sounds like you have a problem controlling the PowerMaster, not the locomotive.

The answer to why am I using a PowerMaster to control the TMCC I guess is because that is all I have ever used for TMCC. What should I know about your question? I have a PH-1 powering a single track with a TMCC Engine connected to the PowerMaster, and this operates fine. I also have the same poweraster connected to my ZW which powers 2 separate single tracks. One of the tracks operates a TMCC engine fine. The other track is my K-line F-3 which I can not get power to the track or Engine in TMCC mode. I can disconnect the power Master from the ZW and operate this in conventional with the ZW and it is fine. So I have power available from the ZW and engine will operate. I appreciate your help and hope I have explained this well enough. Thank you

You can connect the PowerHouse brick to the track directly if you only run command locomotives on the track.  If you want to control conventional locomotives with the CAB1, then you would use the PowerMaster as well.

With the ZW I have, I have 2 bricks hooked into it to run 2 separate circuits. I could connect this 3 brick into it as well and run the 3rd circuit from the ZW as well. Without the Power Master what receives and sends the TMCC signal out? Is it part of the ZW? I know on this ZW if it "hears" a TMCC signal you can't operate any of the handles in conventional, unless the conventional happens first. I think my problem with the track/engine that I can't operate is because I have not made the correct Eng & Track commands in the proper sequence on the Cab-1. Your thoughts. I still don't have a good grasp on this system as you are aware. Thank you.

Turtle,please explain a little better, 

1- Which model ZW are you using?

2- You have a command base and cab-1 with a powermaster?

Sorry but it's been along time since I've ran both and now with Legacy I'm forgetting even more

After rereading your post, you need to address the powermaster as tr-1 boost,if you have not changed it's factory set number?

Please let us know!!

Doug

OK, the fact that you're connecting bricks to the ZW indicates you have the ZW Controller, which is a TMCC device.

First off, you certainly don't need a PowerMaster with this transformer, as every channel has a build-in PowerMaster capability.

I'd start with a read of the ZW Controller User's Manual.  It explains how to set up the ZW Controller and use the TMCC features.  If this is confusing at first, you can also configure the ZW Controller to ignore TMCC signals and act like a standard ZW.

Click the link and save the manual, that will answer many of the questions.

Thank you. I will go back to the manual. I misunderstood in the manual where it shows the powermaster connected to the ZW. It would sure be "cleaner" to remove the powermaster and plug the PH1 into the ZW. If I get stuck I will come back with a question.

I don't see where they mention the PowerMaster in the ZW Controller manual.  Once you plug the PowerHouse supplies into the ZW Controller, you have four channels, each one will control voltage via the TMCC system like the PowerMaster.

By all means, simplify your life and lose the PowerMaster.

gunrunnerjohn,

Am I misunderstanding Pg 9 &10 of your manual and page 8 of mine that says I need a Command Base (PowerMaster) to operate remote with the CAB-1?

Here is where the confusion is. The powermaster and command base are two different devices. The command base receives TMCC signals from the cab1 and then outputs these commands to the engines and other devices including the new style ZW. A powermaster also receives signals from the cab1 but here is where the difference starts. It will operate locomotives (TMCC or conventional) in conventional mode. The new style ZW has 4 powermasters built into it and can operate 4 different trains on four different loops by addressing tracks with the tr button and a track number. I think you're referring to the command base as a powermaster.  Read the manual on operating the ZW in command mode as the outer channels operate differently than the inner channels if it is set to command mode.

Ron

My apologies to all of you trying to help me out here. I have been saying Powermaster and thinking Command Base - so I am confusing this. I need the Command Base connected to the ZW to operate the Cab-1. I can remove the PoweMaster and plug the PH-1 directly into the ZW and run all 3 circuits from the ZW powered by 3 PH-1 bricks. I will read about the outputs as the circuit I am having problems with is on an inner channel.

Yes, if you have a PowerMaster, remove it!  See Ron's reply above, and what I was telling you previously.  The Command Base and the ZW with the bricks does everything the PowerMaster was doing, and it's not needed for TMCC operation in any case.

I have the powermaster removed. 3 bricks on the ZW. Everything is now operating fine in TMCC. I do need to address the track power now on track 1 the outside handle as expected. Thank you all for getting me straightened out on this. Bless you for your patients when I was saying one thing and doing another!

Well, that was confusing the **** out of me!

Glad everything is straightened out!