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Introduction - Newbie with some questions

F F30MSportOGR Forum Member

Hi everybody.

 

I have been a lurker for quite sometime and finally decided to join.  My name is Michael, 29 years-old, and live in NYC.  Bit of a background story...I had a pretty nice collection/layout of O gauge trains a few years back.  Unfortunately, due to moving off to college, I decided to dismantle and sell-off most pieces of my collection (did not have the room or time to devote anymore).  I've always regretted selling the collection (my grandfather still needles me about it), but at the time it seemed like the right thing to do.  However, after a few years in the workforce, I re-ignited my passion for the hobby and am working on a small floor layout in my apartment (the wife was nice enough to lend me some room to build and operate a small layout).  I purchased a few of Lionel's ES44 heritage diesels, which I think are absolutely fantastic models (I decided on the Norfolk Southern and Conrail versions).  Again, I've been away from the hobby over a few years and I was absolutely thrown back by the attention to details on these diesels.  Unfortunately I have not been able to run them yet, which leads me to my question/predicament:

 

I have a pretty large loop of Lionel Fastrack with O-72 curves, very simple, no signals/blocks or anything just yet.  

In terms of power/control, I have decided on using Lionel's CAB-1L remote and base (I figure I will upgrade to Legacy whenever Lionel ships in the future, did not feel like over-paying on eBay).

 

I am using the following as my power-supply:  

 

Lionel 180-watt powerhouse 6-22983 (these seem to be quite rare today and picked it up on eBay).

Lionel powermaster 6-37146 (also could not find at my local hobby shops and had to buy on eBay).

 

Everything is connected properly (180-watt is connected to powermaster port, I have a wire running from the common port (U) on the legacy 1L base to the common port on the 6-37146 powermaster, and finally, 2 wires (A and U) running from the 6-37146 powermaster to my terminal section of Lionel Fastrack).  **This is the exact set-up I used with the old TMCC CAB 1 base and remote a few years back.**

 

Upon switching on the powerhouse, the light on my powermaster turns green, but it is as if no power is supplied to the track.  I have one switch and a lighted bumper on the layout and upon turning on the powerhouse, they light up for a split second and go dark.  Its as if the powerhouse is supplying the powermaster with power, but nothing is being transferred to my track.  I've checked all connections, the circuit breaker, and can't seem to get track power.  I even speculated a possible short circuit on the layout, but there is nothing.  

 

Is my set-up correct in terms of what I am using to power the layout?  Have any of you guys experienced the above?  Do you think its an issue with my powerhouse 180 or the powermaster?  Other than my engine, remote switch, and lighted bumper, there are no other power demands on my layout currently.  The 180-watt powerhouse should be more than enough to handle the demand, no?  

 

The powermaster was brand-new sealed, and the powerhouse was slightly used (from the description in the ebay auction at least, visually it looks brand new).  Unfortunately, I will not be able to get to my local hobby shop until next Saturday to have them inspect, but thought I'd might pose the question to you guys here as I know how knowledgeable most of the members are.  

 

I appreciate your time guys and its great to be part of such a fantastic forum. 

 

Cheers,

Michael

 

 

Original Post

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L.I.TRAINL.I.TRAINOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Michael

Welcome to the forum. My club tried some Lionel power houses a while back but no luck there we are 100% using MTH z-4000 transformers.

If you are interested the club TMB Model Trains in Farmingdale, LI, website is below in my signature line and we are having an open house on Superbowl Sunday form Noon till 4pm, so enough time to get back for the game.

Hope to see you.

Steve

N.Q.D.Y.N.Q.D.Y.OGR Forum Member MEMORIALIZED MEMBER

Hello & welcome.

 

It sounds as if you have everything wired correctly, but I have a couple of questions.

 

Do you have the switch on the powermaster set to 180w (This shouldn't make any difference, but just-in-case.)?

 

Have you programmed the powermaster, and then put the run/program switch back to run?

 

Have you addressed the powermaster from the CAB1-L?

 

Is the CAB1-L plugged into a properly grounded wall socket?

 

Are you running TMCC/Legacy or conventional mode? Is the switch on the powermaster in the appropriate position?

 

I hope that these don't sound like too stupid questions, but often the simple things can cause the most trouble. 

 

M MoonmanOGR Forum Member

Hi Michael,

You could have used a 6-34120 with the powerhouse. The setup you have is to provide running engines in conventional mode.

 

So, for the equipment that you have, power on the Cab-1L command base first, then the powerhouse and power master. Press TR & 1 and press Boost to set track power to full ( A voltage meter would helpful here to set the track voltage.) The engine should light. (See page 13 of the powerhouse manual)

 

The press ENG & 1 or the default engine number listed in the manual. Then press any button and the engine should begin to idle.

 

Then you can rotate the dial and movement should begin.

 

The process is to address the powermaster (set if needed), set the track voltage at full for command operation, address the engine(set if needed) and then have fun!

 

Hope you get running!

Last edited by Moonman
D&H 65D&H 65OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Welcome to the Forum Michael; my experience with the Powerhouse power "bricks' has been flawless ever since their introduction to the market. I have one 180 watt unit and parallel two sets of 135 watt bricks and have had no issues.

That being said, just to be sure the 180 Powerhouse is fully operational, remove the output plug from the Powermaster, power it up and if you have a voltmeter, check to see if there is a constant 18 volts AC at the two output pins. If that checks good, I would have to suspect the Powermaster module as your wiring sounds correct.

AcelaNYPAcelaNYPOGR Forum Member

Michael-

 

Welcome to the forum! I would try directly connecting the powerhouse to the track to see if you can get track power on. Try testing a few spots with a voltmeter to eliminate any track connection issues (FasTrack can have a bad connection every now and then).

 

If you have track power, the next thing to do is program the PowerMaster. Since your wiring is correct, my guess is the PowerMaster is just waiting for a signal from the CAB1L to turn the track power on.

 

Message me anytime - I'm in the NYC area too.

 

-John

F F30MSportOGR Forum Member

Thanks for all the comments and kind welcomes.  It is great to be a part of the forum.

 

So to answer a few questions: all my switches are currently set to 180 W, CMD, and RUN on the powermaster.  

 

The good news is I got my new ES44 to fire up tonight thanks to the advice of addressing the powermaster first.  I guess this leads me to my next question which is still kind of befuddling me:

 

A few years ago, when using TMCC 1, as soon as I turned on the powerhouse supply, track power would automatically go on (engine would light up, switch lights would illuminate, as well as any illuminated bumpers I had).  **I used the same set-up, powerhouse connected to powermaster**  I would then enter the commands, ENG + ID and hit any button (usually horn) and Railsounds would activate and the engine would respond to my commands.......Now it seems I need to first address the engine (ENG +ID and then hit BOOST) and then everything powers up (Engine, switches, etc).  Is that the norm for the new powermaster/cab 1L base set-up?  I apologize if this is a silly question, just trying to acclimate myself to my new power/command set-up.

 

Thanks so much again!!

 

Michael

 

D&H 65D&H 65OGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Michael: It's been years since I had a Powermaster; I have TPCs to allow conventional and command operation.

My power-up procedure is;

1) Power up my (Legacy) base with the Powerhouse "OFF"; once my Cab II is in communication with the base, I then power-up my Powerhouse "bricks. You should not have power o nthe track at this time.

2)The first command is to address which track I want to control ( by telling your Powermaster which track it controls during the "Program" function of the Powermaster).

Hit the "TR" button (for "track") + what ever number you've assigned to that track/Powermaster combination previously. Once you've hit the "TR" key + the correct assigned number for that track, hit the "boost" function and power should come on the track and whatever engines are on that track should have their cab lights & headlights illuminate.

3) Now that power is applied to the rails, address whatever engine you wish to via the normal chain of "ENG" + the assigned locomotive number and hit most any key on the keyboard and you should hear Railsounds come alive along with some speaker background noise. 

4) Hopefully it's time to enjoy running trains!

M MoonmanOGR Forum Member

Michael,

Not a silly question. The Boost button procedure is ok. If you ever place a conventional engine on the track with full voltage applied at on, it will launch. It's a precaution to prevent this from happening.  What type of engine am I running? Do I hit Boost or spin the knob?

 

 I would also suggest that you assign the address of the powermaster as TR 1 (Track 1, page 12).

 

You would also use the TR to configure a multiple unit train (lash-up). Run both of your engines together.

 

 

LJ Lenny JOGR Forum Member

Hi Michael    Welcome to the forum. I'm a conventional operator so I can't help with your issue but since you are just getting back into the hobby here are a couple of items that may interest you. Since your in NYC this summer catch the LIRR and come out to Riverhead on the weekend and visit the Visitors Center Layout located at the Railroad Museum of LI (RMLI.org). You can also join us on the charter buses to York this Spring! Enjoy our hobby.   Lenny J

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