New to TMCC...question about adding base-1 & a Powermaster to layout.

Wire it to your track bus feed, the manual is for a loop of track on the floor.   Note that the original TMCC PowerMaster doesn't need the TMCC command base, it gets it's commands directly from the old CAB1 27mhz signal.  The new Legacy PowerMaster, OTOH, receives it's command via the track signal and does need a command base in the picture.

• Thanks John!

 I went ahead and tried this last night, but it didn’t work.  What I mean is, the variable track voltage didn’t change at all.  Since I’ve yet to purchase my first tmcc engine, I bought this primarily to run conventional locos by remote.  

Forgive me if I ramble, but I’d like to state all parameters, to possibly better diagnose what’s wrong. 

I plugged the A post from the powermaser to a slot on the + side of the bus bar-actually the same slot where a 6ga wire from the KW feeds the hot side of the bus...  Since I’m using a transformer to power the powermaster, I also have the fused side of the 6-12893 cable from the hot side of the bus to the PM.   The U posts on both the PM & Base-1 are connected to the common side of the same bus.  Also the common lead from the 6-12893 is attached to the common side of the bus-on the same slot where common comes to the bus from the KW. 

I have three individual loops. Two powered by the kw, and one powered by an old cw.  All three loops have O22 switches fed by a fixed 16v bus that’s powered by a 1033. The transformers have been properly phased.  

All three track busses, two 16v busses, and an 11v bus are all interconnected to each other’s common. 

The Base-1 is plugged in to what’s supposed to be a grounded three prong outlet.  It may be only masquerading as 3 prong, I haven’t tested it yet.

Both the PM & base-1 show green power lights. Both show red flashing lights when receiving commands or by turning the red knob. 

The command I tried, but nothing happened, was TR, 1 then AUX1, O.  With the PM set to conventional, this is supposed to dump track power, then allow track power to be increased either by the boost, or turning red knob clockwise correct?

Since I’m only trying to vary track voltage to run conventional locomotives, not tmcc ones yet,  this was the only command that mattered much...or that I could try. 

So, does anything stand out as a glaring omission, something I forgot? 

Thanks in advance for any and all input.  This is unexplored territory for me. 

Tom

   I tried using just the powermaster alone, without the base-1 connected, to vary track voltage & run conventional locomotives.   Still nothing is working.  

   With the KW set at around 18v,  I followed the instructions, setting the track ID with the switch on “program” then pressing set, then moving the switch to “run”.  No changes could be made to track voltage with either the red knob, or the boost buttons as observed by a lighted caboose not changing brightness at all.  Tried the few troubleshooting ideas in the manual, no changes.

  I’m stumped.  I’m starting to think the powermaster itself may be inoperative. 

Tom

Tom:

I may be all wet on this since I use Legacy PM's.

The transformer (in my case power bricks) hot and common is connected to the PM. Then hot and common from the PM is connected to the buses that provide power/gnd to the track.

You are using I believe three transformers to power three independent loops so I am assuming they are electrically isolated from each other for power but carry a common ground. In this case you will need three different PM's - one for each independent loop of track. Turn on the transformers and set output voltage to 18 volts AC.

Program each power master as a separate track number (say 1-3). If like the Legacy PM there should be a slide switch to go from conventional to command. First thing remove all conventional locos from track then move PM switch to command for all of the PM's. Turn on power using your CAB1 (not sure how this is done). Using a volt meter check track voltage on each loop - should get 18 volts. If so then things are working so far. If not then there is an issue and Gunrunnerjohn is the man.

Turn off power to track with CAB1. Place a loco on one loop of track. Reset switch for that PM to conventional. Turn power back on for that track and then start rotating the wheel. You are starting at zero volts so you will need to turn the wheel a while to pick up voltage.

GunrunnerJohn knows much more than me about TMCC. However to start off with connecting the TMCC command base just for laughs and giggles. If things work then you can try disconnecting the command base and see what happens.

Joe

Thanks so much for the input!  The 3 loops are indeed isolated from each other & don’t intersect, although  commons are all interconnected. My accessory transformer, the 1033, feeds fixed 16v to all 20 switches that appear on all three loops. 

I did however have a bit of a revelation at 3am during an aging prostate bathroom visit.  I have the positive and common from the KW for the track bus, still connected to the bus, along with the pm & base-1 connections on this bus.  Do my transformer A & U need to go directly to the A & U on the PM?  I could see an interference problem here, the bus is getting 18v from the KW to the track AND ALSO the pm is getting this 18V signal.  The direct connection to track bus from the kw is overriding, and still present regardless of any signal the pm is trying to send. 

Any thoughts on this theory?

thanks again guys!

Tom

FlyPlanes-PlayTrains posted:

 Do my transformer A & U need to go directly to the A & U on the PM?  I could see an interference problem here, the bus is getting 18v from the KW to the track AND ALSO the pm is getting this 18V signal.  The direct connection to track bus from the kw is overriding, and still present regardless of any signal the pm is trying to send. 

You're on the right track there, The KW goes only to the Power Master and then the Power Master goes to your bus wiring. If you bypass the Power Master with the KW that would negate you having that Power Master.

Thanks guys, this has got to be it.  Banjoflyer, I am indeed using the 12893 cord, and have muddled through that video a while back.  I guess in my case though, there’s no accounting for stupidity.  

Tom

To all who put their two cents in, I thank you.  Wired as it’s supposed to be, the powermaster works beautifully.   

I do apologize for being the idiot at the controls, like I said above, you can’t help stupid!

Tom

Congrats Tom - I did get confused by GRJ's comment about the command base not being needed but I was stuck on command control not conventional only loco running.

 Congratulations Tom.  And if you shop hard, there are open frame motors in some TMCC too. My E-33 Virginian has one. It's only missing that click & buzz of the E-unit. It even has magnetraction (though weaker than PW)

One note @banjoflyer  #1 "full power" and needing @gunrunnerjohn or someone to confirm, but it think the max input to the PM might be "under 19.5 -20v" to avoid damage to the PM (it may only be the command module that has the limit..?).  The KW should be checked by meter no load, and kept below that voltage....18v or less. Don't trust the marks, and maybe leave a volt or so shy if your home ac is spikey/fluxuates locally.

 Hitting the KW whistle at 18v, +the 5v boost in the dc offset whistle control in the KW puts you over that limit. You might want to pull that handle off too to avoid an accident. Maybe switch to a round one from an old radio, stove, tv, etc. if the metal shaft offends you.