our TPC's are getting near the end of their life, in fact one has already passed.
we need to get the legacy powermaster 360 and would like an easy wiring diagram so we do not have to rewire our system.
you know take out TPC put in powermaster.
anyone?
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Its not rocket science, especially if you have Lionel 180W bricks with the factory connector still on. That connector plugs into the Legacy Powermaster. Then on the LPM are two studs, 'A' and 'U'. 'A' goes to the center rail and 'U' goes to the outer rail. Then I daisy chain all the 'U' terminals together to the Command Base, but I'm not sure if that is necessary. Having correctly sized ring terminals (for the wire gauge, and for the threads) sure helps. There is no wiring up the serial data line, the LPM have a receiver for the 455 kHz track TMCC signal that the Command Base broadcasts.
There is another way. I have three IC Controls version of the TPC, I could send them to you for free if you agree to give say $60 to your favorite charity. One of them has an early version of firmware that didn't work well with PS1 electronics (supposedly) and for sure did not work well with Electric RR mini-commanders, when in CONV mode. They have been sitting in my basement doing nothing ever since I got the LPMs.
RickO posted:
your picture only shows one transformer jack the powermaster 360 has two.
Bigdodge:
The normal powermaster is good for 135/180 watts so one power jack. You set the power selector switch on the powermaster according to the power brick you have. The newer powermaster 360 as its name implies can connect to two power bricks (180 watts each) for a total 360 watts hence the two power jacks. If you have the 360 and two Lionel power bricks you can connect both bricks with their associated cables to the one powermaster. I believe you can also connect only one power brick. The instruction book should tell you. There should also be a power selection switch - I'm willing to bet it can be set to 180 or 360.
Connection is straightforward - connect the power brick to the powermaster using the cable (can't remember the name of the connector). Run a wire from the A post to track power and a wire from the U post to track common (ground).
If you are using a standard transformer then you will need to purchase an adapter cable that ends in the special connector needed to plug into the powermaster.
Joe
If you have the powermaster 360 instruction book would you please post it. I would like to read it but can't seem to find it on the Lionel Website.
You made no mention that you were asking about the PM 360.
Here's another thread discussing the 360. It has 2 inputs for 180w powerhouses.
https://ogrforum.com/...r-360-power-supplies
FWIW ,I quit running 2 180w bricks in parallel years ago. I got tired of them trying to weld wheels to the track during a derailment.
powermaster 360 manual
RickO posted:You made no mention that you were asking about the PM 360.
Here's another thread discussing the 360. It has 2 inputs for 180w powerhouses.
https://ogrforum.com/...r-360-power-supplies
FWIW ,I quit running 2 180w bricks in parallel years ago. I got tired of them trying to weld wheels to the track during a derailment.
Rick:
I was wondering about all that power!
bigdodgetrain posted:powermaster 360 manual
Thanks!
Looks like you have to connect two power bricks (either two 135W or two 180W).??????
Model StructuresLooks like you have to connect two power bricks (either two 135W or two 180W).??????
If you read the other thread via the link I posted above it is not necessary to connect 2 bricks. One will work just fine the only caveat bring it is not enough power draw to activate the power masters breaker during a derailment.
This isn't a big deal because the breaker on Lionel bricks is about the fastest in the hobby and will protect your trains.
Besides,it's those breakers on the bricks that protected my trains when the welding was being done. My tpc 400 breaker never ever popped.
still I need to see how to just take the wires off the TPC and put them on the powermaster 360.
Ahh, I see - the TPC 300/400 has screw terminals for wires.
You need the Molex male connector and Pins. Scroll down see the pins appropriate for the wire gauge that you are currently using under the specifications boxes.
Triangle end hole is empty, center hole is AC hot and bottom hole is AC Common.
The pins just push in and lock in place.
pay attention to page 8
As Egon said, "Don't cross the streams!"
I rotated the manual for you. My neck was hurting tilting my head past German Shepard angles.
Moonman posted:Ahh, I see - the TPC 300/400 has screw terminals for wires.
You need the Molex male connector and Pins. Scroll down see the pins appropriate for the wire gauge that you are currently using under the specifications boxes.
Triangle end hole is empty, center hole is AC hot and bottom hole is AC Common.
The pins just push in and lock in place.
how do I know which terminals are which on the powermaster 360?
see page 4 here, https://www.lionelsupport.com/...ents/71-4189-250.pdf
lionel said when these were to be released that is would be easy to swap out a TPC and put in a powermaster 360, I am not seeing that.
contacted Mike Reagan and his response is "On Powermaster 360 center pin is hot, top pin is nothing, bottom pin is ground."
so for anyone dealing with the same issue now you know.
bigdodgetrain posted:contacted Mike Reagan and his response is "On Powermaster 360 center pin is hot, top pin is nothing, bottom pin is ground."
so for anyone dealing with the same issue now you know.
I included the pin information with my part source post. Did you not believe it?
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