I recently got my Williams Ten-wheeler and have been running it quite a bit. An interesting and perplexing issue has developed. I need some advice and counsel!
My layout is powered by a Lionel Z transformer. I have the capability of powering the track blocks directly from the Z, or I can route the power from the Z through a TPC3000 Platinum Edition and control the action conventionally with a CAB1.
I believe the TPC3000 Platinum Edition is the same as a TPC400. It will operate MTH PS2 engines with the same capabilities as the TPC400.
Using the direct Z power feed, the engine runs erratically irrespective of its location on the layout. It takes a control knob setting of about 15v to overcome this erratic operation. The slowest speed attained is a scale 16mph, but this is erratic. The sound operates fine.
Using the TPC3000 and CAB1, with the input voltage about 16v, the engine is amazingly smooth, the speed is easily controlled, even when operating as slow as scale 7mph. No erratic behavior is noted.
I have swapped track power to different posts with no change in the noted performance. I have no problems with conventional operation of MTH PS1/2 or postwar engines on either direct Z power or using the TPC3000 and CAB1. Lionel TMCC engines work fine with the TMC3000 and CAB1 arrangement. The track has been cleaned.
So... What is the TPC3000 doing that is resulting in the superb operation of this engine? And why such erratic behavior when powering the track directly from the Z?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
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