Legacy power master

Sounds like it could be the momentum setting if the Legacy Power Master has them. Try a higher setting.

Rick,

Just wondering if you got your speed control squared away, looked in my Powermaster manual page 16. The control can be changed using the three buttons on the bottom of your hand held unit, you have the option of 32, 100 or 200 speed steps in your Powermaster. This should give you precise control.

Ray

never solved the problem. the three buttons control the amount of momentum you want not the start voltage. i have come to the decision that the unit is defective and cheaply made. i used to have an IC controls unit that was built much better and worked great but sold it when i got out of the hobby years ago. I can use the MTH unit i have that sits on the shelf but the MTH hand held will not run my TMCC switches. I would just use my old ZW but i like to be able to walk around,

Rick,

The Powermaster has no momentum. The three buttons under the removable cover, when addressing the Powermaster increase or decrease the number of voltage steps from 0-18v or what ever your transformer puts out. Have you checked on your layout to see if you may have some power drops in areas on the tracks, sometimes depending on track connectors to feed power around a large layout can be a problem.

I do run TMCC/Legacy locomotives on my layout but I also run some conventional engines with the Powermasters, both post war and the later can motor powered engines.

I find that some engines in both categories have different characteristics when starting, some start very slow and some tend to start like a jackrabbit.

I very much agree with you, I have all of my turnouts connected to SC-2s and I like the option of walking with the train as it makes its path around the layout, operating the turnouts or switches from the handheld is a bonus. I also like the idea that if there should happen to be a derailment I can fix it and power up again without having to go back to a control panel or transformer.

Ray

it has no affect at all everything ( conventional) takes of like a jack rabbit when i start to increase the throttle. if i use the MTH DCS unit I get good control of everything in conventional mode. hate to buy another just to prove this one is no good.

I am glad to come across this thread, as I am now using the new Legacy 360 watt PowerMaster taking the place of a burned out TPC400. I have not tried to operate Conventional Locomotives or Diesels yet, but will tomorrow. 99 percent of my fleet are either TMCC or Legacy Command. I only have 1 conventional diesel, The Lionel Railroaroader Club Diesel. My layout is all Lionel and I have one TPC 400, that works fine, (fingers crossed), and then 1 new Lionel Powermaster, another new one in the box for a spare. I use the older Lionel BPC’s for track power as they have 2 sides. I control one side with my TPC 400, the other side with the new Powermaster. So, we can run Conventional and Command on the same layout, different blocks.  This began in 2000 when beginning building my layout. I also like walking around the layout with the Cab 2 controller. It opens blocks, and controls the switches, and allows Lash Ups, and trains. It also lets others operate their trains to. Keep us updated on your progress. Happy Railroading 

If you have a voltmeter connect the leads across the rails and see what voltage you get as you turn the red nob, maybe the Powermaster is defective, if so let Lionel replace it. Mine all, I have three on the layout, go from 0 to 18.5 volts very smoothly.

Ray

I went and tried conventional on a Legacy Powermaster with 2 180 bricks. Put a old postwar NW2 on and it was kind of jerky on the starts. After a minute or so it smoothed out. Was siting on shelf for years. Put a old 2 pullmore conventional on little better once it ran a bit. Took engines off the track and watched a couple volt meters. When I turned the throttle on the Cab2 it would jump to 3 volts. From 3 volts up turning the throttle could go up 1 volt at a time. No matter how slow I would turn the throttle from off it would jump to three volts. The engines ran OK but was no where near as smooth as a can motor engine.

I need to come back and correct the information I had stated. I stated that my Powermasters went from 0-18.5 smoothly. I had watched my analogue meters when I made that statement. I put my digital meter across my rails and found that the voltage on the track without turning the nob was 0.19v and the initial power when I turned the red nob  went immediately to 2.23v. I apologize for  not thinking to check with the digital meter first.

Ray

Well, like I said yesterday I would try the Lionel 360 watt Powermaster with a Conventional engine playing Conventional. It’s been a long time since I have ran Conventional and it’s not quite as simple as pushing the switch. In powering up my engine took off like you guys have stated, sort of lurching. After playing with the engine, which hasn’t ran for 10 minutes since I purchased it years ago, I decided to lubricate the gears. I think it’s got a can motor because it comes to sudden stops, like HO dc current. So, after lubrications and running the engine for a few minutes I could make it run smoother, but it’s a job. Therefore, I like command much better. Now, I decided to check it out with my TPC 400 that still works and Ta-Da it was much smoother going forward and in reverse. No lurching with the TPC in Conventional mode. Good luck in getting your Conventional engines to work properly with the powermaster. In a few days a friend is going to bring a conventional Locomotive with Pulmor motors, then we’ll give you another review. Happy Railroading 

So it's looking like It is the nature of the beast being the Legacy Powermaster in conventional.

Gweedo, It sure seems different than operating conventionally with the TPC 400. I’m working on getting my 2 TPC’s repaired. Hopefully this miracle can happen. I struggled getting my engine to reverse, however it could be operator error. What I like the best is being able to go from Command to Conventional just walking with the trains. In a few days, a friends bringing in some great postwar engines to test this powermaster out. Maybe we will learn how to work with these powermasters better with practice.  Happy Railroading