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Hi Guys just got my Cab 1L system the other day the problem I'm having is the cab and headlights all flicker on and off, when going reverse the rear light flickers.

Now this is only for the two 70ACes my AC6000 works fine???

Just so you know I only used a 40" straight just for testing the system I even cleaned the track and removed the black from the center rail (Atlas Track)

Just to add I have a Powerhouse 180 and using a TMCC  Direct lock-On part #6-14178

Thanks Mike

Last edited by UPMike
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This might be a silly question, but is the base power supply plugged directly into a well grounded wall outlet? And is the signal wire from the base connected directly to the track?

Sometimes a power-strip, doesn't provide a suitable ground, and the Legacy signal can be degraded. From the symptoms you have described, a weak signal sounds like the problem. Some locomotives are more sensitive than others to the signal strength.

I had similar issues with an Atlas TMCC locomotive. The locomotive didn't always accept commands from my CAB-1L either in addition to the flickering headlights.

 

I reset the R2LC boards, gave the engine a new ID and tried all 9 channels on my LEGACY CAB-1L/Base-1L Command Set. Nothing.

 

So, thinking there was something wrong with the locomotive I sent it back to Atlas. They ran it with a 990 LEGACY Command Set and it ran perfectly. Next they tried it with a LEGACY CAB-1L/Base-1L Command Set and experienced the same issues I had, namely delays in responding to commands and flickering headlights.

 

I informed Lionel and they told me to send back the entire command set with no questions asked and promptly "tuned" the frequency within the Base-1L. I think they replaced a ceramic cap inside of the base and now my TMCC locomotives run just as well as my LEGACY engines.

 

It's possible that your locomotives are fine and your command set is the culprit.

Ok last question before I put everything up for sale and go back to Z scale

What I did was ground the outlet to the box and that didn't work...

I just don't know why my AC6000 don't give me these problems as the SD70ACe's do...

 

What if I sent it back to Lionel so they could

"Tuned the frequency and added a Ceramic CAP" would this help???

 

Installed a new CAB1L and had the same issue with flickering lights on TMCC engines, they run and all function work but the lights flicker. Both Legacy engines were fine. I do have a good ground as I have been operating in the command environment since 1996.

 

Anyway, checked out a number of things, plugged the base directly into the grounded outlet. Checked the cable leading to the base from the wall wart for continuity. Put the TMCC engines on the same track as the Legacy ones.

 

Disconnected the CB1L system and hooked up a conventional transformed and started up the TMCC engines. They ran fine. No flickering lights.

 

Sent an e-mail to Lionel requesting an RA and they replied that they wanted to send me a new wall transformer first and see if that solved the problem. The transformer that came with the system has a 9 volt output at .5amps and the one they are sending me has an 8 volt output at 2 amps.

 

Oh well, Lionel said I should get the replacement transformer in 7-10 days so I find out if that solves the problem.

Last edited by Former Member

Trainman9

I just got back into this hobby in December of 13. At 63 years old retired railroader from CSX / Started on the C&O. I have spent close to 5K getting started. Long story short I have the same problem on a my layout with an ERR engine I just re wired for TMCC. When in Cab 1-L the light flickers on my F-3. My Legacy engines run fine. But the F-3 light flikers. Also the LIONEL light on the front of the ZW-L slightly flickers. Contacted Lionel and they are also sending me a Cab 1-L Power supply. Tested AC grounds like a good signalman should and it's good ground.

 

I just joined OGR  to get this great info. 

 

Thanks

STE (Service Test Engineer)

This might be totally off-the-wall, but is there any possibility that one of your outer rails is somehow connected to earth ground?  Perhaps a bare wire touching a pipe or something like that? (A metal cased electrical item touching the rail etc.)

If so, then that would kill the Legacy signal as soon as the outlet is grounded.

Originally Posted by UPMike:

The track is only a 40" flex... I have the signal wire going into the TMCC lock-on

 

I can try the signal wire direct to the track???

Does it go to the other rail or middle rail

 

 

Hi Mike,

 

That sounds like a good idea, as it might rule out another potential for problem.

 

The signal wire should be connected to the outer rails. (Normally both outer rails are connected together, but connection to just one rail should be OK on your piece of test track.)  I'm not quite sure what would happen if it were connected to the centre rail, but it most probably would not work very well at all.

Originally Posted by UPMike:
John I'm lost I just removed the outlet so I could double check the ground.
I removed the ground from the box and the lights stop flickering, then I took off the ground wire and all was good.
Then I left the ground wire off and put the outlet back in the box and had the same problem???

After looking at your photos it appears this outlet is supplied or is supplying power to something else. This type of wiring for outlets annoys me, but is common practice and ok by code.

The problem could lie wherever this feeds or wherever it is supplied from.

 

I would try to find a dedicated circuit somewhere in the house to take your test track to and power up from there.

 

Finally, you could have a base that needs the repair.

 

 

This simple household circuit tester has been handy to me. Just go around and plug it in. If a receptacle is bad or improperly wired the lights will tell you.

 

 

51rR-WkeN6L__SL1500_

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Trainman any Luck??

I just got off the phone with Lionel and they will be sending me the same transformer...

I was told at this time they are not taking any repairs in...

I was also told that these are the transformers they use for set #990

 

Originally Posted by Trainman9:

 Sent an e-mail to Lionel requesting an RA and they replied that they wanted to send me a new wall transformer first and see if that solved the problem. The transformer that came with the system has a 9 volt output at .5amps and the one they are sending me has an 8 volt output at 2 amps.

 

Oh well, Lionel said I should get the replacement transformer in 7-10 days so I find out if that solves the problem.

 

Last edited by UPMike
Originally Posted by UPMike:

Trainman any Luck??

I just got off the phone with Lionel and they will be sending me the same transformer...

I was told at this time they are not taking any repairs in...

I was also told that these are the transformers they use for set #990

 

Originally Posted by Trainman9:

 Sent an e-mail to Lionel requesting an RA and they replied that they wanted to send me a new wall transformer first and see if that solved the problem. The transformer that came with the system has a 9 volt output at .5amps and the one they are sending me has an 8 volt output at 2 amps.

 

Oh well, Lionel said I should get the replacement transformer in 7-10 days so I find out if that solves the problem.

 

I'm pretty sure the #990 system uses a 16 volt transformer.

 

I was sent an e-mail stating the part has shipped but I have been unable to track it via the UPS tracking number they gave me. I guess it will show up any day now.

Originally Posted by Moonman:

Was all of the outlet\receptacle wiring ok?

 

Lionel is moving the repair center to North Carolina this month, hence no new repairs taken. 

 

I guess you'll have to be patient if you need the base repair. The cost of change.

When I was at the Red Carpet event at the NC facility they had plenty of the CAB1L bases for sale so they could simply replace the defective ones and not make us wait until July.

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