Legacy Powermaster

The Legacy Powermaster takes it's signal from the 455khz RF on the track.  It should power up just fine using a Cab 1.  What ID are you assigning it?  ENG or TR?

The link here may clear up for you the communication problem of a TMCC system with a Legacy Powermaster, see at the 10 to 13 min portion of the video.

Hope this helps

Ray

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhviAv1VSyM

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

The original PowerMaster and the newer Legacy PowerMasters both receive their commands from their respective CAB-x remotes via radio, but they use different frequencies.  As a result a CAB-1 will not communicate with a Legacy PowerMaster.  You'll need a CAB-1L or CAB-2 instead of your CAB-1.

Actually, the Legacy PowerMaster receives it's commands via the 455khz track signal like many other TMCC accessories, it does NOT communicate with the CAB1L or CAB2 remote.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Actually, the Legacy PowerMaster receives it's commands via the 455khz track signal like many other TMCC accessories, it does NOT communicate with the CAB1L or CAB2 remote.

John,

Then what purpose does this have?

Mike

Thank you all for your input.

Marty I programmed the Legacy power master to Train 1. It looks like it programmed properly, lights flash. In command mode there is no power to the rails. If I program it it conventional mode there is power, and I can run a post war locomotive with my Cab 1 controller. So it seems to me that I cannot use the Legacy powermaster programmed in command mode, with the Cab 1 controller and command base. It only powers the rails when it is programmed in conventional mode.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

John,

Then what purpose does this have?

Mike

To allow the Legacy CAB-1L and CAB-2 to communicate to PowerMaster Bridge, which then communicates on 27MHz to the TMCC PowerMasters. I don't believe it works in reverse (Allowing 27MHz commands of the CAB-1 to communicate with Legacy PowerMasters)

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

John,

Then what purpose does this have?

Mike

Mike, the Legacy PowerMaster Bridge receives inputs from the serial data connection on your Legacy Command Base or the BASE1L and translates them into 27mhz signals to mimic them coming from the old CAB1 remote.  This allows the Legacy system to control the old TMCC PM1 PowerMasters.  The Legacy PowerMaster Bridge is not used for the Legacy Powermaster.

@bmoran4 posted:

To allow the Legacy CAB-1L and CAB-2 to communicate on 455MHz to the PowerMaster Bridge, which then communicates on 26MHz to the TMCC PowerMasters. I don't believe it works in reverse (Allowing 26MHz commands of the CAB-1 to communicate with Legacy PowerMasters)

Close, but no cigar.  The Legacy PowerMaster Bridge actually connects to the Legacy serial data and rebroadcasts it on 27mhz for the old TMCC PowerMasters.  You are correct on one point, it does not work in reverse.

AAMOF, using the PowerMaster Bridge and the old TMCC BASE1 together is normally not done as the CAB1 talking to the TMCC BASE1 will conflict with the 27mhz output of the Legacy PowerMaster Bridge.

Yeah, I caught that after reviewing the manual to see if I could confirm the reverse activity and ninja edited my post, but ya got me

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Mike, the Legacy PowerMaster Bridge receives inputs from the serial data connection on your Legacy Command Base or the BASE1L and translates them into 27mhz signals to mimic them coming from the old CAB1 remote.  This allows the Legacy system to control the old TMCC PM1 PowerMasters.  The Legacy PowerMaster Bridge is not used for the Legacy Powermaster.

Thanks.  I thought that's what I had implied.

What was wrong in my comments was that the Legacy PowerMasters work in the same way, that is, they receive their commands directly from the CAB1-L or CAB-2, which is not true.  For them commands come via the track signal.

Thanks for the clarification.

Mike

@Secarider posted:

Thank you all for your input.

Marty I programmed the Legacy power master to Train 1. It looks like it programmed properly, lights flash. In command mode there is no power to the rails. If I program it it conventional mode there is power, and I can run a post war locomotive with my Cab 1 controller. So it seems to me that I cannot use the Legacy powermaster programmed in command mode, with the Cab 1 controller and command base. It only powers the rails when it is programmed in conventional mode.

So in command mode, with no conventional engines on the track so they don't rocket off, when you hit TR1 then "Boost" the power doesn't come up to full?

What is the power source to the Powermaster?

Marty,

The power source is a 180 brick, and it does not matter what button you press. There is no track power in Command. There is only track power, if its programmed in Conventional mode. So it would seem that the Legacy powermaster will not work in Command Control with the Cab 1 base and controller.

John,

Do you think the Legacy powermaster will work with the older Cab 1 command base and remote ?  I tried over and over, to get it to power the track in command. I can only get the system to work in conventional. I have no problem programming the system in command with my 6-24130 powermaster. I just cant seem to get the Legacy powermaster to work in command only conventional. I thought it would be compatible but I think I was wrong.

Yes, it should work fine with the CAB1/BASE1.  If you look in the manual on page 13, that's how you set it up.  On page 16, they talk about operation with the CAB1/BASE1.

From Page 12.

Just to be clear there is no “programming” to set from command or conventional. There is a simple CMD/Conv switch. At the club we leave the Legacy PM in Conv setting and when full power is needed to operate a command locomotive simply hit “Aux1, 9” then you can correctly address and operate said locomotive with its control system

Thanks you everyone for your input. I had the manuals out. I have been running command control for several years now. I cannot get the Legacy power master to work with the older Cab 1 system in Command Control. Although the lights flicker, and look like it's programmed. There is no power going to the track. I do not believe the Legacy power master is compatible, with the older Command Control Set. I have no problem programming my layout with the Command Set and the 6-24130 powermaster. I just cannot get it to work with a 180 Legacy powermaster.  Thanks guys have a great holiday.

When programming it did you use 2 digits?  Instead of 1, use 01.  Worth a try.

That is weird. I know it will work with the Cab-1, other than the fact that it should on paper our S scale layout uses Legacy PowerMasters with the original Cab-1 base and remote.

at this point I suppose it’s possible there could be a issue with that PM

I've actually used the Legacy PowerMaster with the old CAB1/BASE1 system, so I'm 100% sure it works.

John,

Thank you that is what I was looking for, someone to tell me that they actually are able to use them together. If you say it works, then I must be doing something wrong. I have 2 brand new Legacy powermasters, and I could not get either one to work with the Cab 1 Command set.  As Marty stated, maybe I should try  addressing it with 01 instead of just 1. I will give it a shot again some other time, but I already gave my Son the Command system I was using with the 6-24130 powermaster for his layout.  I have been using the Legacy #990 set on my layout for a little while now.

The zero is important, especially to the old CAB1.  I know I came to grief with accessories by not including it.  I don't have an old CAB1/BASE1 handy or I'd drag out the Legacy PM and give it a try to see if I could figure out what you're doing differently.

I figured it out it was my fault. I was pressing Boost after Set. I addressed the Legacy powermaster as TR1, pressed Boost, then pressed Set. And my line powered up.  Thank you guys for all your help.

Ahh yes, as MartyE and GRJ both stated, I recall how the lack of using 2 digits when programming caused me much consternation when I was setting up my layout a few years ago. Funny how just adding a '0' (in order to have 2 digits) could make one's life so satisfying - and then everything worked as it should.  😉