Help with Legacy and TMCC bases cabled together

Do you have the U post connected to the track on the TMCC command base?  Only the U post on the Legacy base should be connected to the outer rail of the track or common.

Check the labels on the "Y "cables. Make sure they are in the proper sockets.

@MichRR714 posted:

Do you have the U post connected to the track on the TMCC command base?  Only the U post on the Legacy base should be connected to the outer rail of the track or common.

Only the Legacy base is connected to the track, thanks.

Rod

@choochoopaul posted:

Check the labels on the "Y "cables. Make sure they are in the proper sockets.

Triple checked the Y cable hookups. Pretty hard to screw up since they are male to female and only go one way. But thanks.

Rod

Rod,   Try moving the Command Base away from the Legacy base and down toward the floor.  I had a similar issue several years ago.  I had added GRJ signal booster at the time.   I don't remember the exact issue/symptom, getting too old, sorry !!.     I do remember the red LED on the Command was blinking continuously, cause that's what tipped me off that I had something strange going on. 

When I contacted John, he asked me immediately how close the 2 base units were and said some systems, in some basements, just won't run together when placed in close proximity.   He instructed me to move the TMCC command base and get it down close to the floor, assuming the Legacy base is pretty much at or just below table top height.   

My issues disappeared once I followed his advice. 

One other thought...   I was also told by numerous true electronics experts here that how and where all these items are plugged into your 115 VAC house power affects performance too.

I no longer power the Legacy or Command bases off of any type of "power strip".   I had a really nice one with protection built in for spikes etc.   I only use that power strip for the 4 x 180 Watt power bricks and the the ZW-C controller along with some accessory voltage transformers, an old ZW and some HO DC power packs.   

I have also been told, that if possible don't use the same duplex outlet and circuit for the Legacy and Command bases.  So, I run a dedicated extension cord from another outlet, known to be on a different breaker. 

NOTE:   In this set up I have to turn on the Legacy and Command base power first, and then power up all the layout power and accessory transformers. The Legacy/Command signal has to be on for me, and detected by my ZW-C or it will put full power on the track in "conventional" mode, and engines will start taking off.   Yes I discovered this the hard way.   

@chris a posted:

Rod,   Try moving the Command Base away from the Legacy base and down toward the floor.  I had a similar issue several years ago.  I had added GRJ signal booster at the time.   I don't remember the exact issue/symptom, getting too old, sorry !!.     I do remember the red LED on the Command was blinking continuously, cause that's what tipped me off that I had something strange going on.

When I contacted John, he asked me immediately how close the 2 base units were and said some systems, in some basements, just won't run together when placed in close proximity.   He instructed me to move the TMCC command base and get it down close to the floor, assuming the Legacy base is pretty much at or just below table top height.   

My issues disappeared once I followed his advice.

Never heard of that before Chris but it’s certainly worth a shot. We have the two bases right beside each other on the too of the control panel, so hey it just might be the problem. I’ll re-locate the command base to the floor. That will be simple since it doesnt need to connect to track anymore. Who would have guessed? I will report back with hopefully good news!
Rod

A continuous red LED flicker on the Base1 could be caused by a stuck button on the Cab1 remote.

@Tracker John posted:

A continuous red LED flicker on the Base1 could be caused by a stuck button on the Cab1 remote.

I thought of that but when the splitter cable is disconnected the cab1 behaves perfectly and no flickering. So I don’t think thats it, but thanks!

Rod

Your runaway engine is usually caused by the lack of TMCC track signal.  Could the Y cable, when connected, be shorting the track signal to the ground plane (which is pin 5 on the DB-9 connector)?

Do you need to use the Cab 2 base as well as the Cab 1 base to use both modes of Operation Cab 1 and 2.

Thanks

Mikey

@mikey posted:

Do you need to use the Cab 2 base as well as the Cab 1 base to use both modes of Operation Cab 1 and 2.

Thanks

Mikey

Yes that is preferred.

Rod

@mikey posted:

Do you need to use the Cab 2 base as well as the Cab 1 base to use both modes of Operation Cab 1 and 2.

Thanks

Mikey

The original CAB1 with the antenna will ONLY talk to the original BASE1 or the old TMCC Powermaster.  That being the case, you need the BASE1 in this configuration.

@mikey posted:

Do you need to use the Cab 2 base as well as the Cab 1 base to use both modes of Operation Cab 1 and 2.

Thanks

Mikey

I read your question slightly differently.

You only need a Base 1 if you plan on using a Cab 1 to control your TMCC engines.

You do not need a Base 1 (or Cab 1 for that matter) if you'll be using a Cab 2 instead to control your TMCC engines.  In addition to controlling Legacy engines Cab 2 also controls TMCC.  It's backwards compatible.

Mike