Using Original TMCC Cab1 and MTH Protosounds 1 engines

I'm pretty sure Proto 1 does not generally play well with the original PowerMaster (you don't specify, but I imagine that's what you are controlling with your CAB-1, right?  The TPC units that came later I believe were made such that they play nicer with Proto 1).

-Dave

The new Legacy PowerMaster has the macro programming to run PS/1 and PS/2 locomotives in conventional mode and access many of the features, that's how I'd go.

However, what you're describing doesn't sound like a power issue.  You're describing a bad battery, have you replaced the batteries?

You could try lowering the voltage to the power master,  Try getting it out of reset and running , then raise the power-  masters power supply   (ZW handle)   ..... or  maybe  get engine running  on a siding with just the zw and run it out to the track controlled by the cab-1 / power master?

 Had an Al Trol throttle set up years ago. Had the same issue as to not playing well with PS1 engines. The workaround solution was powering up the engine and moving it with one side of the ZW. I used a toggle and relay setup to switch over to the Al Trol which you provided a fixed voltage to from one of the other handles. It all worked well except you had to repeat this every time you powered the layout up.

Thank you all for the help. GUNRUNNERJOHN, I had suspected the battery issue and will look for new ones although I can't find how to access the battery in the tender of the tinplate 260e engine. And DAVE45681, at your suggestion, I replaced the original PowerMaster with a TPC 300 and both engines now work correctly although the GS-4 does sound like the battery is dying and I have it charging to see if that gives me better sound. Whew !! Thank you for your help. 

Scott

If it's an old PS/1 locomotive with the original battery, it's way past it's sell-by date.

LOL. Yes, it is way past it's sell-by date, but I got a good price on it on ebay and while the battery probably should be replaced and the smoke unit isn't working, it has a great sounding horn and has become my favorite at the moment. I've recently changed over from decades in S gauge to O gauge tinplate and built a new layout around the perimeter of my basement. It took a while to learn how to repair old American Flyer trains so I guess it will take a while to figure out O gauge. I'm glad there is a great resource here to help me learn. 

Scott

After replacing the battery, if the PS-1 locomotives still don't work with the PowerMaster, John will have to tell you which capacitor to put on the outputs to get the locomotive to work.  I had the same issue and using the capacitor solved the issue (But I have since long lost the cap.).  The locomotive doesn't like the power output of the stock PM and goes into a protect mode.  If you lock the locomotive into a direction (Only do after getting a new battery!) then it'll work just fine with the PM as it doesn't run the power check in that mode.  Not sure what it doesn't like, as it runs just fine with the PM, I've run lots of mine that way In forward only around my Christmas tree every year.

I use a 4.7uf or 10uf non-polarized 50V cap across the track feed.  This knocks down the high frequency spikes and helps may PS/1 and QSI locomotives run better with chopped waveforms.  It's not a panacea, but it works in a majority of cases.