USING TPC SET FOR TMCC AND 2ND FOR CONVENTIONAL

I have the same set up on my layout.  If memory serves correct, on the BPC, each track block= ACC has 3 ports-1 power input for TMCC= TR1, 1 for Conv= TR2, and one power output to the track.  So each block gets a power input from each TPC.  You must run 8 jumpers for each TPC for inputs to the BPCs.  And the 3rd port is a power output to the track.  That way you can switch any of 8 blocks of track=  ACC to TMCC or conv or turn the power off.  I believe the manual shows this set up specifically.  Trace each lead on that schematic with a different highlight color and you'll get the picture.  Good Luck. 

Hi William

Thanks for your help. I appreciate the response. I called Lionel this AM and they confirmed for me that the two TPCs would be wired as you IDd. 

TPC-1 which will be setup as Conventional will be wired to T1 on both the BPCs and TPC-2 which which will be setup as TMCC will be wired to the T2 on both the BPCs.

The eight power wires will go the the blocks/districts as planned. 

Thanks again

Ralph

You can set both TPC's to conventional and then just use AUX1 9 to put full power to the track when running command engines and AUX1 8 when running MTH.  AUX1 9 is used to start up a PS2 engine and then you press AUX1 8 to lower the voltage to 30%.

The instructions are on pages 17 and 18 of the TPC manual.

Or if you prefer:

"Ryan, most of the things in this room don't like bullets." (In a Scottish-bur Russian sort of dialect.)

George

Yeah Ralph.  You got it.  Take your time and do it once.  I remember the hardest part was trying to stuff a 14 Ga wire into the tiny holes in the original IC Controls BPC.  Maybe Lionel made them a little bigger.

Thanks again William

The holes have not gotten bigger. They are the same. I use stranded, taking off 2-3 strands. The trick I found is that the stripped end for the BPC needs be short to fit tight in the hole as well as trimmed down.  I am putting it together on a worktable, then will carry it to the layout area and do the final connections there. Hopefully, will post a picture or two of the job. It has to be done during May since the work table is in the Dining Room - a very understanding spouse - and this saves my back.

George/Trainman

I have chosen the two TPC mode mainly because I am lazy and want fewer keystrokes, even though as you point out its only a few strokes.

Ralph

Yeah, you got it.  That's exactly how I did it.  I stripped off strands to make them fit and you have to cut them real short.  And made the jumper assemblies on the bench.  Nothing to it.  Have fun. 

14 solid is slightly smaller that 14 stranded and will fit these small screw set terminals. Best to use a scissors type cutter for a clean straight cut v.s. a pinch cut  that tends to mushroom the end of the wire.