When operating just legacy engines, do I need anything more than:
1) 180 powerhouse brick;
2) TMCC direct lock-on
3) legacy command system?
My confusion is whether I need a power master also.
Thanks for the help.
DLC
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
You can dispense with the TMCC Direct Lock-On, it's not needed. You don't need a PowerMaster either, that's for running conventional engines from the remote.
All you really need is the Legacy command system and the transformer of your choice with a good circuit breaker.
Thanks for the advice. I’ve been running as you advised - KW and inline circuit breaker, but want to eliminate the KW. If it were just me / adults I would stay with it, but I have young kids, 7 and 4 year old twins, and the throttle levers on the KW are too tempting. The lack of a consistent circuit breaker also becomes an issue. Thus, the decision to move to a powerhouse. Perhaps it’s misguided, but it seems simpler. So, if I go with the powerhouse, do I need the power master or can I work with the powerhouse, legacy base, and TMCC lock-on.
Thanks for the help.
DLC
It seems to me that the powerhouse was made for command control since it has no throttle. So you can have no concerns about using it with your legacy system
That is what I use a powerhouse 180 and legacy system. All I ever run is legacy locomotives or tmcc locomotives
Like I said previously, the PH180 has an excellent breaker, and it all you need. If you want to be a bit safer, adding a TVS across the track at the track feeds is a good idea. The TVS I personally use for model train applications is usually this one: 1500W 33.3V TVS at Digikey
Thanks for all the good advice. I knew I could count on the forum.
Without the TMCC Lock-On or PowerMaster, you may need to cut the plug off the PH180 to connect to the track. If you are only going to operate Legacy/TMCC engines the Lock-On is an easy way to connect to the track without cutting off the plug. Note the TMCC Lock-On degrades the DCS signal should you ever add that system.
Besides the Lock-On there are a couple of other other ways to attached a PH180 to your track. These are noted in the lower left in the diagram.
Attachments
Images (1)
You can use this connector instead of cutting off the plug...
