TMCC beginner

What kind of transformer power are you using?

Hi Clem,

you just need to plug the base in and connect the one wire to the track... and your good to go.

You have a TIU? and a DCS system?

Thanks

180  bricks for power(4) and DCS system. i will be running this locomotive with DCS I should have all the components to run TMCC on DCS. Does this locomotive need programing or something? do I need that little red chip thing in the loco box?

Clem 

Plug the correct Wall Wart Power supply into a properly grounded 3 prong outlet.  Some outlet strips will cause issues so if you are plugging into a strip and you have signal issues, plug directly into the wall outlet.

Attach the 1 wire from the command base to the common either via the outside rail or the black output lug of the TIU.  Depending on the vintage of TIU these 4 outputs maybe tied together or isolated from each other so keep that in mind.

You will not need the orange module for running the Legacy engine with a Cab1.

Depending on how you want to address the locomotive, most people use a 2 number combination of the road number (in your case either 27 or 97), you might want to give the engine a new ID.  The default is 1.

To do this locate the PGM/RUN switch.  Slide it to PGM, apply track power, push ENG XX (XX being the number you want to give it) and then SET (underneath the cover on the bottom of the CAB1).  The whistle should blow.  Slide the switch back to RUN.  Now address the loco using the number you gave it and move 'em out!

Thankyou Marty

Clem

Clem,

If you want to run the Lionel engine from your DCS and MTH remote, you will need the serial cable to connect the TMCC Base to the MTH DCS.

http://www.mthtrains.com/content/50-1032

I believe you will need to set up the engine as Marty says with the TMCC remote and then add the engine to you MTH remote roster using the TMCC address.

Actually, you can program the engine ID using the DCS remote.  It's not obvious that it works, since there is no SET button capability on the DCS remote.  Obviously, when you are adding the TMCC locomotive, they emulate the SET keystroke, even though they didn't feel the need to give you access to that important capability.

Well I'm all up and running with TMCC and my one locomotive, next is to hook to DCS. I believe that is just one cable as long as I have the correct one. But first I'm having a problem with the tender coupler coming open when running! Any ideas?

Clem

Unplug it electrically and see if it still opens. If so it is mechanical and you can replace it, or if your inclined open it and rework the spring and release mechanism.

If it holds when disconnected you can add a 1uf non polarized cap across the leads to prevent inadvertent opening.  G

Thank you G

Clem

Do NOT put a 1uf cap across the coupler, that's a Legacy locomotive!  That fix is only for the AC triggered TMCC couplers, according to Jon Z. at Lionel, doing that on a Legacy model that uses DC on the couplers will likely damage the board.

I'd be checking for mechanical issues, most of the coupler issues I've had with Legacy have been problems with the physical coupler.

Thanks

I will probably figure out if it is mechanical or electrical and let it go, plan is to put Kadee couplers on this one.

Clem

Using the TMCC unit you have you are going to miss out on the really cool Legacy extras, but overall it will run

Since you are using an older style TMCC base check out the TMCC Beginner presentation at coilcouplers

Hello Chris

If you don't mind, what Legacy features are not available to me ? 

Clem

You get all the basic TMCC features. You do not get items such as the quilling whistle, train brake, some of the speed control feature etc. The manual will go over it all

I wouldn't worry about the coupler if you're going to replace them with Kadee couplers soon.

The coupler problem is mechanical,

clem

In that case, I usually just stick a new coupler on.  I routinely collect the problem ones and when I get a few, I knock the knuckle rivets out of them and smooth all the inside latching surfaces and put them back together.  That usually not only fixes them, but also makes the coupling and uncoupling much more reliable as well.

Good Catch John, I focused on the TMCC post and missed that it is a Legacy engine.  Only the TMCC engines with common AC ground can the caps be used to fix the electronic noise issue.  G

I got smacked by Jon Z. some time back for making the same mistake, it stuck in my mind.

Clem k,

   I highly recommend the free educational Lionel video's on the Web, very well done

and they explain in steps exactly what needs to be done, makes the entire operation user friendly.  I used it when I started with my 990 Legacy, heck I took the PC right to the tracks and did the entire learning experience in real time.

The only education point missing from the video is the joining with DCS and how to operate from there, use Barry's book for that education.

PCRR/Dave

http://www.coilcouplers.com/tmc/tmc.html