TMC 300 controller for conventional use

yes when it's connected to the command base you can use your cab1 to very the voltage on the track.  controls conventional engines quite well

one more comment you need one TPC per isolated loop or your trains will all start and stop the same 

Jerome,

I still suggest you read the manual that I referred to in your other post.  There are plenty of diagrams on how to connect this device up.

My initial question was can the tpc's be used for conventonal use without  ANY COMMAND control stuff at all if I decide to just run conventional  only? I have 2 TPC 300 AND WANT to know if they may be used in a 100 percent conventional layout and to what benefit would they be used for? 

thanks, Jerry 

Sorry Jerome, I didn't see that initial question only the one at the beginning of your post above.

I will eliminate my inital comments to reduce any confusion other than my own.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you're asking if you can use TPC's without a command base, just conventional control transformers? I believe the only benefit the TPC's can give you is the ability to control track voltage with a digital command base hooked up.

I don't see anyway they can do anything without a TMCC, LEGACY, or DCS Command Control system as far as I know.

Jerome

I tracked down your two day old initial post["initial question"] and note that you will be using pw ZW transformers. So in conjunction with your last post which is to specifically control Conventionally only, "without any Command Control stuff at all" you simply use the throttles on your pw ZWs to control speed. The TPC 300s are not needed.

If however you choose to control your trains Conventionally from a hand held remote, you will need the TPCs, a Cab 1 and Command Base [as others have noted]. Your TPCs will then be wired as follows to control[vary] speed from the Remote[Cab 1]:

For a single isolated power district [track or oval] a pw ZW's "A"[or "D"] post will be connected to the "Hot" Power In terminal of a TPC and the ZW'S "U" [common]post connected to the "Neutral" terminal of the TPC.

On the Track Out side of the TPC terminal strip a single wire from the Command Base "U" post will be connected to the "U" terminal of the TPC. From the Track Out  side's "U" terminal a wire will be extended and connected to the outer rail of the track and from the "A" terminal a wire to the center rail. 

Follow the same procedure wiring a second pw ZW and TPC plus a Command Base wire for a second isolated power district.

The suggestions to study the TPC Manual and to use #14 wire are good ones.

as usual I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much for your reply As I am just getting back into trains after a 30 year lapse. Again, thank you very much. Jerry

. Dewey

Do you think the TPC 300 is a good unit to use on a larger layout I plan? I plan to build approximately a 30 by 20 layout. Would two TPC 300 units be adequate along with my post war ZWs? I would like to have about 2 or 3 separate loops of track and run a maximum of 3 trains at a time. I have several ZW's. Obviously I have  several questions,. My e mail is jba 435 @ gmail.com. If you would be so kind to send me your telephone number I would appreciate it very much and will give you a call.

thanks, Jerry 

Jerry

 I am headed for Med appointments today. But a quick answer regarding the TPC 300s and power supply:

You will need a TPC for control of each isolated loop [power district]. If using the remote to run your conventional trains you would address your 3 individual districts/loops as tracks by pressing TR 1 or 2 or 3 on the Cab 1. You only need one remote and one command base but need 3 TPCs for 3 loops.[TPC 300s are rated to handle 15 amps and the breaker is sized accordingly. Plenty of capacity for your loops]

If connecting the loops via crossovers, the center rail in the crossover should have a gap or use an insulated pin to maintain power isolation. [in Conventional, crossing the gap between two separate power districts, bridging it between the front and rear pickup rollers of an engine is for another discussion, including phasing transformers].

You are planning a fairly large layout but size of the layout and trackage length will not affect the reach of the transformer output or TPCs. The key on any layout is to have enough adequate wire-sized railpower wire runs/track connections to the center[Hot] and outer rails[Common] to eliminate voltage drop. The rails will not conduct power as effectively as copper wires. You need multiple connections spaced all around the loops.

The load of the engine[s] and lighted cars in a power district are the key elements in wattage or amperage consumption which will dictate the needed size of power supply, not the length of trackage. Your pw ZWs are rated at 275 watts input but only about 180-190 watts output and occasionally less efficient as heat builds up. Still, that level of output is near 10 +/- amps which is adequate as max for a single power district.

In one of your posts your mentioned Legacy. If in addition to Conventional, you are eventually considering Command Control via TMCC/Legacy or DCS, pose questions on the Special Forums for those control systems. The Forumites on those Special Forums are loaded with experience. I sold my DCS from a dismantled layout several years ago and recently sold my Legacy System new in the box. My point being that I have become obsolete on changes to Command Control Systems. 

much thanks for the help, I appreciate it. Jerry