Originally Posted by Model Structures:
Nicole:
Not sure if anyone has asked this. I am getting ready to start wiring my layout. I will have two independent main lines. One powered through a TPC400 and powered through the new Legacy powermaster (I run Legacy only). Both have separate power supplies - the powermaster has a 180 watt brick and the TPC has both taps on a Z4000.
My question/questions is this:
A ground wire is supposed to be connected between the Legacy command base and the TPC (Lionel video) or the command base and track (TPC manual). Since I have separate power supplies, track power controllers and electrically isolated track loops do I need two ground wires from the Legacy command base one to the TPC and one to the powermaster or to both track loops?
If this helps the track loops will be isolated by the power rail - ground will be connected. Power supplies will be phased (connected to the same wall plug so I hope so!).
Would there be any reason to have separate power AND ground rails and if so does your answer to above change?
Thanks Nicole
I appreciate
Joe
Hi Joe,
Sorry for the delay in responding.
I see that John has answered your questions in some detail (Thanks John.), so I'll just give a brief summary here.
The 'ground wire' that you mention is the signal wire from the Legacy (Or TMCC) base unit to the outside rail. If your loops are connected by switches, then you only need the one connection. If your loops are completely separate from each other, then you need to run the signal wire to the outside rail of each loop. An alternative way of doing this would be to run the signal wire to the 'U' terminal on both the TPC and to the Legacy PowerMaster.
On my layout, I have found that it is simpler to run the signal wire directly from the Legacy base unit to the track. Doing it this way means that I don't have to be concerned about the signal reaching the tracks, no matter how I may change the power supply arrangement in the future.
The TPC needs a serial connection to the base unit to operate. You already have this in place, so no change is needed there. But the Legacy PowerMaster units do not require a serial connection as they receive their control signals from the track. This makes the wiring for a Legacy PowerMaster much simpler, as you don't need to worry about the serial connection. To add a Legacy PowerMaster, all you need to do is to connect a PowerHouse (Or other 18V power supply.) to the input, and the two output wires to the track. There is no need for any connection from the TPC to the Legacy PowerMaster.
The TPC and the Legacy PowerMaster should be given different ID numbers.
I'm so happy with the Legacy PowerMaster that I have now completely retired my TPC units and replaced them with Legacy PowerMasters.