I have two loops of track...one is command and one is non-command. I have a TMCC controller, power house, power controller and command base. How do I connect both tracks so I can use my controller on both tracks. Thanks.
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You would like to run TMCC on both loops, correct? One transformer or two? If two, ensure the transformers are in phase with each other. Then connect the outside loop common to the inside loop common (on a multi-throttle transformer this should already be the case inside the unit.) The TMCC base also connects to the outside rail common and now TMCC should work on both loops. The power controller will only work on the loop it is connected to.
One transformer and I would like run one loop non-command and one loop command.
OK, one transformer with 2 throttles correct?
S/F Mike
Yes....one power house with a TMCC remote.
In "command mode" the TPC provides full power to the track. In "conventional mode" the TPC varies power to the track in relation to commands from the TMCC remote. It cannot do both at the same time. So a single TPC cannot provide variable power to one oval while simultaneously providing full power to a second oval.
You could bypass the TPC for the oval you want to run command on (only!) just understand that oval will always be full power and the only way to switch track power off for that oval will be to turn off the powerhouse or add a On/Off switch to the track feed line.
You'll be able to run TMCC engines on either oval. You'll only be able to run conventional engines on the oval with the TPC in line.
Others thoughts?
H/H Mike
What I would suggest is: pick up a conventional transformer and connect it to one oval. Use the powerhouse & TPC on the second oval. Establish the common connection (check phase) and then you can run anything on either oval.
M/C Mike
Originally Posted by TrainHead:
I have two loops of track...one is command and one is non-command. I have a TMCC controller, power house, power controller and command base. How do I connect both tracks so I can use my controller on both tracks. Thanks.
when you say controller do you mean the power controller or the TMCC remote?
Right now, if you have one powerhouse and one power controller (powerMaster or TPC?), you can connect the power and ground wires from the power controller to both tracks. Then connect the TMCC base to the ground wire on the power controller. Set the power controller to conventional. This will allow you to controll both loops with TMCC and you will be able to change the voltage on both tracks, but they will not be independent of one another. You could run conventional and/or TMCC on both tracks.
To have one loop with variable power and one straight command, you will need to spilt the power from the powerhouse. Send a power wire and ground to the power controller and then to the conventional track. Send a power wire and ground from the powerhouse to the command track. Set the power controller to conventional. Connect the TMCC to the ground of the powerhouse before the split. With this setup, you can run TMCC command engines on both tracks or a conventional on one and TMCC on the other.
Hope this helps. There are a lot of ways to split the power from the Powerhouse brick.
