What is the difference? I only have one loop of track that I want variable power on, the rest is command only. Should I just go with a Power Master or upgrade to a TPC 300?
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If you should ever want more than 180W of power, or if you may ever wish to run MTH locomotives in conventional mode with access to the PS2 features, then choose a TPC. Alternatively, you could wait a while until the new Legacy powermaster is released, as that would seem to be a great improvement on the older TMCC version. (Also, you won't need a bridge unit anymore if you are running Legacy.)
IMO the TPC unit is a nicer component,I'm very happy with mine. It gives you a bit more "tunability".A TPC works great for running PS2 conventionally, theres a preset 30% startup voltage, and it even fires the coupler. It allows you to set your command voltage wherever you like, I run my layout at 16v, and you can turn track power on and off via the remote.
While not ideal, it is possible to run conventional locos and TMCC/legacy locos at the same time with a TPC although performance is limited to the amount of voltage you have going to the track to operate your conventional loco.
I have a PowerMaster, but from what I recall (maybe RickO is referring to this) is the TPC gives you more voltage step increases (finer control).
So I will most likely be ok with the Power Master, as I run conventional mode so few times.
I would say YES for conventional engines. I do know that I seem to get better performance even thru my PM than I do when running straight from the Z750 throttle. I can slow down my RailKing RS3 to a pretty good crawl, as well as my PS2 engines although not as slow as they (PS2) are with DCS. I see no difference when running my RS3 via DCS.
The Power Master receives its command direct from the Cab-1 (the command base is not required) but if you are also running command, the base is present anyway. The TPC's receive their command via wires from the command base. The TPC's are more bullet proof. The Power Master outputs can fail sometimes but can be repaired.
I used my tpc400 on my christmas layout. It was a blast running my 90 year plus Tinplate train with modern tech. Question does the tpc 400 have fast circuit breaker protection?
If you are running Legacy, then the powermaster is obsolete as the cab-2 does NOT talk to it. Get a TPC which will connect to the Legacy base and will talk to a cab-2. If you are running a TMCC base, then go with either but the TPC 300 or 400 do the same. Just the 400 allows more power to go through it.
The TPC has more functions with it, runs proto 2 in conventional mode but the key strokes on a cab-1 will do different proto 2 functions. The TPC for conventional trains has 80-200-400 speed steps and you can run any engine made from 1900 and on with a cab-1 or a cab-2.
Buy the TPC- it is well worth the money.
