Lionel tpc300/power master question

[James Huff]

So I trying to grasp how tmcc works in relation to controlling prewar and postwar lionel locos So basically if my layout is being powered by traditional postwar lionel transformers and my layout is seprated into 2 blocks will I need a 300 track power controller for each block section and would a 190w kw transformer be stretching the limits of a powermaster?

[ADCX Rob]

I use the D-U posts of the KW to power the PowerMasters.

You can use a 3000 watt(or more) transformer to provide power to the PowerMaster, they only use enough to deliver 7 amps to the track.

The KW is 190 watts input, the continuous output rating is 140 watts... just about perfect for the PM-1 PowerMaster.

Think of each PM-1 or TPC as just another transformer for conventional layouts... the wiring is the same as for using just transformers.

[BigAl 956]

You have a good grasp on things. Good 'ol conventional control is to crank the transformer handle up and down to run your postwar trains. The Powermaster adapts so you can control with a handheld Cab remote by running the fully cranked up output of your transformer into the TPC and then you can remotely vary the voltage to the track.

I took this a step further by hooking up my transformer and TPC outputs to a SPDT switch connected to each track block, then I could select weather I wanted a power block controlled by the TPC or directly by the transformer.

This proved to be more bother than it was worth and I ran my postwar trains almost all the times directly from the transformer handle.