TPC 300 Stopped Working

@MAW23 posted:

My TPC 300 stopped working last night after one of my poorly soldered com wires vibrated loose and tripped the breaker. I reset the TPC breaker and it worked for a while then stopped. It did not trip the breaker the second time and neither LED light blinked again. Is there a way to reset the TPC? I saw nothing in manual about reseting the unit.

If the breaker popped, more than likely something inside has burned up.  Those things are easy to open up. I would do a visual inspection.  Look for blown components or fried traces.  Go from there, but I don’t think anyone does repairs of these.

There isn't a whole lot to go on here. The TPC 300 (and let's be honest a huge swath of anything TMCC) has a microcontroller and then the power control circuit. The microprocessor needs a regulated and controlled lower DC voltage (probably 5V) and the rated signal input max is 12V on the serial data. My point is, when you short and trip the breaker- you create potentially a voltage spike several hundred volts in magnitude. This can break down the electronic components max voltage rating and go beyond just failing the output devices.

No lights of any kind = major problem. That's the only indication we have on this device that the microcontroller is running and seeing serial data. If it's damaged- we get nothing.

I’m sorry to hear this as these products, the TPC300 and TPC400 are older products that offered both Conventional and TMCC Commands at the flip of a button. Both of my TPC 400’s quit working, I had a great friend on this forum “Idea-Thinker” spend Two years attempting to repair them with no avail. I then purchased the newest Lionel 360 Watt PowerMaster and it’s even better for my use. I suggest you read up on both the newer 180 watt and the 360 watt PowerMasters. Please keep us posted on your findings. Happy Railroading Everyone

I had mine die a few years ago. I opened it up and cleaned the contacts that plug into the circuit breaker. Problem solved.

Jim D.

Thanks all for your feedback on this situation. I am going to replace the unit. Planning to get a 360W, more for the flexibility since I have a cab-1 controller.  Saving my $$$ for MTH TIU. Most my engines are TMCC or MTH/Rail King, no Legacy engine yet.