Connecting Lionel Power House to Track

[vwrick]

Just getting started with TMCC; I plan to run only TMCC and so I don't intend to get power supplies with maual controls (i.e., ZW). My wife got me the TMCC Cab-1, a Command Base, and a Power House. Since the Power House has a proprietary connector, the question is how do I connect it to the track without wasting money on a Command Lockon (which I doubt will work with Gargraves anyway). A simple (but crude) approach would be to clip off the connector and hook it up while preserving the same wiring convention for multiple sources. I prefer to get a proper mating connection and procede that way. I located the Lionel TMCC TPC Cable set, but half of the four connectors included are the same as the Power House (and therefore extraneous). Suggestions; does anyone know where I can get the connector and dress my own cable? Thanks, Var

[tmcc man]

Var, first[#welcome]to the forum. I do not know of any other way to connect it to the track. If i am not mistaken, gargraves is hollow, correct. if so, get a piece of tubular lionel track, and replace a piece of gargraves with it. That is the only safe way that I know of. this is the way Lionel intended the power supply to be used.

[Roger Bielen]

Var, welcome to the forum.

I would not connect the powerhouse directly to the track without extra protection. With direct you would be depending on the PH's circuit breaker. For a TMCC only system Lionel has the TMCC Direct Lockon, 6-34120. Though it is designed to connect to Lionel track, tubular and Fastrack, I remember that it is simple to attach a couple of wires and connect it to whatever track you want. The unit looks like a track side power shed.

[Anonymous]

I bought a conector from radio shack that worked well. I don't have the package anymore so I dont know the part number. Just check in their connector bins and you should find the one you need. I spliced two wires to the new connector and use a terminal track to connect to atlas track. Don't cut the connector off the powerhouse transformer.

[tmcc man]

Var, I have a direct lockon that I want to get rid of. If you want it, will give it to you for free.

[vwrick]

Colin: thanks for the generous offer - please shoot me an e-mail to [e-mail] so we can figure out how best to accomplish. [:D]

To all who answered, I was just to York and discussed this with some fellows from Train America Studios (I had them install TMCC in my old post war engines from the early 50's) [8D]. They said that in their experience, the breaker in the Power House was sufficient to protect their electronics, howevr, that there are other protection circuits available from other sources (I believe they may have suggested QSI). Anyway, I plan to take a ride over to Radio Shack to see what they have available and also visit the QSI web site. Var [:D]

[tmcc man]

Okay, I will send you one soon. I am gonna have to ask my dad to use his email

[tmcc man]

Actually, I would feel more comfortable sending it to your local train tore. Where is it located? Can i also have the Adress and further info. Thanks

[tmcc man]

Never mind about the first post. You will recieve an email later today.

[hugoroundhouse]

Heck, all I'm interested in knowing is how you got your wife to give you all that stuff in the first place!!! Maybe you can post some tips on spousal persuasion!![:D][:D]

Jim E.

[vwrick]

Eat your heart out Jim; not only does she encourage my hobby, she enthusiastically joined me at York!! [:D] The secret: I also take her fishing with me! [;)]

[tmcc man]

I will try to send you one today, if not it will be tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

tmcc man I dont think a train store would appreciate you sending free stufft o someone via them. That is really an imposition on a merchant.

Try setting up an email account using your school or the local library if daddy wount let you on line.

[Anonymous]

To simplfy matters and make a better connection, I cut the connector off of the secondary cord all of my PoHos and solder on spade lugs and connect the Hot wires to the screws on a multi-position cartridge fuse block equipped with 10 amp fuses. For the Common, I simply run thru the fuse space and connect the wire to a terminal screw on the output side of the fuse block., simply using it as a terminal junction enroute to the track's outer rails.

Most of my PoHos are linked to TPCs[on my bench type layout]. But 5 PoHos supply the 5 separate tracks on my twin shelf airborne RR at our mountain cottage and these are connected directly to fuse blocks via spade lugs [old Autolite cartridge fuse blocks with screw terminals come in many sizes].

On the PoHo's output cord after you separate the conductors, the smooth conductor is the Hot and the conductor with the "teltale" rib running lengthwise is the Common. I use colored plastic tape on the shrink tube at the spade lug to identify the Hot and Common conductors.