Does anyone know about Lionel's BPC (Block Power Controller)?

[Anonymous]

Can you tell me if this will allow me to power (and ID) other loops of track I have with only ONE TPC 400 powering it? All of Lionel's "rotary switch" talk makes my head spin!

[Anonymous]

Nobody? Does anyone use one?

[Anonymous]

Usually I get plenty of responses so I guess these things are as confusing to you guys as they are to me. For $79.99 I can't buy one until I know if it will do what I need it to do. I went to coilcouplers.com and looked it up and he just spouts the same confusing jargon.

[TexasEd]

BPC or Block Power Controller? I think these are used to turn power on or off to wired blocks on the layout. May not be necessary if you are using TMCC for everything unless you don't want engines and lighted cars sitting idle.

You can accompli***he same thing with toggle switches from Radio Shack.

[Anonymous]

Hi Ed,

Yeah, that's what they're for--I THINK. But remember my original question--I have a loop powered by a TPC 400 and I want to power another loop using the same TPC. How do I divert power from my TPC 400 that is already powering my track ID'ed as 0 and power another track I would like to ID as track 1?

I know....confusing.

[TexasEd]

I'm not very familiar with the BPC, but I don't think you can do that. I think everything on that TPC will be the same track ID. For a second track ID you would need a second TPC.

I think what this is for is to allow you to turn off or on power to an insulated block or second loop of track from the same transformer. I don't read anything into it being able to vary the voltage for you or reverse conventional locomotives. Not saying it can't, just that it would take an assumption to get there based on the description:

QUOTE: The TMCC Block Power Controller is designed for people who have more than one person operating on their layout. Integrated with the Track Power Controller or a Lionel PowerMaster, the Block Power Controller eliminates the need for an individual Track Power Controller or Lionel PowerMaster for each block or section. The BPC enhances conventional operations by connecting more than one block to the same Track Power Controller, and allows you to cross blocks without having to match the voltage between them.
The Block Power Controller acts like an electronic rotary switch to route any Track Power Controllers to any block of track, and can be configured to operate the power of four Track Power Controllers to two blocks or two Track Power Controllers to four blocks. The Block Power Controller also retains your settings when the power is turned off.

Are you running with all TMCC stuff or do you have conventional locomotives you want to run as well?

Ed

[Anonymous]

All TMCC on these two loops. It does say multiple sections with ONE TPC...I think I'll call them.

[Boxcar Bill]

Go To Lionel website and download instructions. it explains it fairly well

[Anonymous]

Hey Jack .. Try calling Lionels tech support I think they are available Wed-Fri eastern time They are verrrrrrrrrry helpful, Which was quite refreshing in this time of voicemail hell...Tim

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

I called them and got the instructions off the internet. And in typical Lionel fashion, the instructions do not say anything about hooking up ONE TPC to one BPC for two loops of track. I tried reading between the lines, and I can't figure it out.

Brenda, the tech I talked to had no knowledge of how they ACTUALLY worked. So, I'll just use another PowerMaster and Powerhouse and try to run a "U" feeder from the command base to my other loop of track. Oh boy.

[eZAK]

Jack,
I have one and know how to use it. [:)]

With a BPC you can control up to 4 blocks with 1 or 2 TPC's (or powermaster) and switch between them.

OR you can control 4 TPC's (or powermaster) into 2 blocks.

In your situation you can control 2 blocks(or loops) with one TPC. You can have the TPC on block 1 or block 2 or both.

Since you say you have of PM also, I would hook up both the TPC and the PM to the BPC & control both of your loops with the ability to switch between them.

[GregM]

Jack,

I used a BPC to control the power to the tracks in the yard on my late layout. I powered the tracks from one powerhouse/power master combination. I usually forgot how to turn tracks off/on between uses and had to look it up. Worked fairly well as I used a Ross four-way yard switch and powered each leg separately through the BPC.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys! I think I may get one just to have it handy. One thing I have found with this train stuff, you can never have too many toys![:D]

[Anonymous]

Jack:

I've been away from the forum for a few days, or I would have answered you sooner.

As eZak says, yes, you can use the BPC the way you want to. The BPC gets addressed as an accessory and I believe you use the Aux1 & Aux2 buttons to switch the TPC between either loop.

Here's my problem with the BPC: You have no way to know which loop is currently connected to the TPC, other than the movement of the trains, or lack thereof. If you've been away from the layout for a couple of days & turn everything on, you probably won't remember how you left everything set up.

In this instance, something like a toggle or rotary switch would be much better for you to use. That way, you'd be able to loog at the switch & know what was connected to what.

The only "advantage" to the BPC is that it can be controlled from the CAB-1, and that's a dubious one at that, at least to me. If you've got an around the room or large island style layout, I still think you're better off putting control switches near the blocks in question on the fascia. That way, as you walk around the layout, you can flip the switches around right when & where you need to switch them & don't have to be tied down to a central station.

Just my $0.02 worth.

Tony