Problem with Legacy 1.4 and Powermaster 180

You might try taking the TMCC lock on out.   

Thank you for the suggestion.  I did some re-wring to bypass the TMCC lock on.  The problem still persists.  I'm borrowing a Powermaster 180 from a friend today so that can better pinpoint whether the problem is with it or Legacy.  The purple light is flashing all of the time this morning with multiple power ups and downs so I'm still pretty sure that the problem is with the Legacy base.  

There's no purple light. it's a red light. see attached

Do you have any cab 2 warning lights?

is this a Legacy Powermaster?

1. Anyway, I would turn off the base charging using the switch on the bottom.
2. Follow the procedure to change channels and move to channel 11.
3. Put new batteries in the cab2.
4. Carefully check the antenna connection for snug. The wire can get twisted off inside if the post on the base is loose and the antenna is tightened to much.
5. Reprogram the powermaster to reset the ID#. Use TR#
6. disconnect the cable to the powermaster and reconnect it at both ends.

Carl,  Thank you so much for your questions, interest in my problem and the checklist.  There are no Cab 2 warning lights.  Yes, the Powermaster is a Legacy  (Blue).  I was able to perform all of the items on your list except set to Channel 11.  My set only permits Channels 1-9.  I did change from channel 1 to channel 7.  I'm able to establish communication with the base even when around 25-30 feet away.  I removed the antenna.  It has a coax connection to the base similar to TV cable so things look good from from what I can tell.  I replaced the re-chargeable batteries with new non-re-chargeable Duracell AAs.

The purple(red) light on the base continues to flicker rapidly even when the Powermaster is not powered up by the Powerhouse 180.  It's interesting that the flickering on the Powermaster (when it is powered) mimics the flickering on the Legacy Base.

Legacy is communicating with the Powerhouse for the "conventional" switch setting , however the behavior is completely flawed.  The voltage pops way up but then fades.  The reverse unit switch fails to work.     

It's starting to look like I may need to send the #990 in for repair.  However, I'm not sure where to send it. I'm not confident that most Lionel certified repair shops would be able to diagnose and repair problems with the Legacy set.  I'm considering purchasing the Cab1L set.  I know that it's not quite as robust but should be less prone to having problems since it is a simpler build.   Thanks again.

Call Lionel. They may be able to help diagnose the problem or have you send it back for repairs. Mine was out of warranty and I shipped it to them and they fixed it for free and shipped it back to me. I paid shipping one way. 

Hi, I am sorry, I didn't intend to suggest that the antenna be removed and left off. It must be on the base. Only wanted to confirm a good connection.

I you recently had a derailment, the powerhouse may need to be reset. The Cab2 should display a reset button(0 or R) when the powerhouse is addressed.

I would return the rechargeable batteries to the Cab2 and go back to your setup for them. Charger on base on.

It sure appears that the base is communicating constantly communicating with the powerhouse.

Did you inadvertently place the powerhouse in the Prog mode?

Is the brake slider off on the Cab2?

I tend to agree with Miken at this point. Call Lionel for perhaps some different diagnostic procedure. If they ask you to send the stuff, it will be all of it. They do tend to take of these issues for the cost of one way shipping. No guarantee on that, but it will resolve the issue. This could be a busy time, with new Christmas gifts that end up in bad way.

Lionel is the only place that works on the Legacy systems. The other repair centers also send them to Lionel, at least that is what Lionel tech at my LHS told me when mine was acting up a couple of years ago. I had a different problem, Cab2 would update, but base would not. Lionel fixed it for the cost of one way shipping, no charge for repair or return shipping.

Also as stated above, Lionel had me try several things to try and fix it here, nothing worked, they gave me an RA number.

Many thanks to all of you.  To address Carl's questions.  I have pressed the reset button on the Powerhouse transformer.  The brake(load) slider is up all the way.  The Legacy Powermaster's program/run switch is set to "RUN".  I will definitely contact Lionel tomorrow(or Tuesday in case they are closed for the holiday).  It's time to package it up.  I'm relieved to know that Lionel will service the #990 set.    

Too bad we couldn't discover anything - a bad cable - a power supply going bad - a device fail , anyway, Lionel will test it all.

I purchased a used backup #990 1.3 set from Hobby Haven here in the Des Moines area over the weekend.  When connected to the Legacy Powermaster I had the same problems in attempting to vary track voltage on the conventional setting.  Looks like the problem was really the Powermaster all along.  We also tested it at Hobby Haven with a Cab1L set.  It failed there also.  Sorry, I misled everyone.  I really thought that it was a Legacy problem.  I've ordered a new Legacy Powermaster from TrainWorld at a good price.  The problems should be resolved.  Will confirm once every thing is in place .    

Floyd,

Thanks for reporting the finding. I think that we missed a way to determine if the powermaster was the culprit. I just didn't suspect it, as it is relatively new.

Would the 4th or the 7th issue describe the problem? I looked at this page and determined that there was nothing similar. page 21 of the manual.