TMCC Question

[2332]

Hey. I've been having trouble running my trains with TMCC. The trains are not responding to the Cab-1 at all. Here's what I have

*Cab-1

*Command Base

*TMCC Powermaster

 And that's it. Am I missing anything?

[chuck]

Is the PowerMaster the only source of power?  Are the loco's TMCC equipped or conventional?

If the PowerMaster is the only source of power to the rails, you need to address it and power up the track before accessing any Command loco's by way of the Command base.  There are excellent tutorials on al of this works on the Coilcouplers web site:

coilcouplers.com

[eZAK]

2332,

You need a source of power! (Transfomer)

Cab-1 = Hand held controler.

Command base = Ralays signal from Cab-1 to the track via the out side rail.

Powermaster = Controls track voltage from a transformer via the Cab-1 in order to run non-TMCC engines.

Check lionels web;  http://www.lionel.com/GettingStarted/Findex.cfm

[2332]

I have a CW-80 transformer. Does that count? And no, the engines aren't TMCC compatible.

[Anonymous]

My first question did the Cab one ever work? If you just bought it and this is your first try I might trouble shoot your problem faster.

 

[magicman710]

Make sure the throttle is all they way up (transformer cw-80), if the lights come on(on then engines), it means you are getting power, you might want to make sure your wiring is correct and that that you have batteries in your cab 1. If all that fails, look at your command base, makes sure the green light is lit, and make sure the light on the powermaster is lit. Try pressing a button on your cab 1, a red light on the command base should flash rapidly. Otherwise, you might want to talk to somebody who has had your problem, they might be able to help you better.

 

Grayson

[chuck]

Command base isn't necessary.  You only need the transformer (set to max power), the CAB-1 and the PowerMaster.  You need to make address the Powermaster as TR (Track) 1 ad then advance the throttle.  This will power up the track.  Note: you can only control one train at a time in this mode as you have only one PowerMaster.

[2332]

Everything has failed remarkably. I turned the power on the transformer all the way up, addressed Track 1, and it STILL doesn't work. What is worng?

[csxt30]

Did you try rotating the big red dial to the right ? I think that's what I do on mine .

Thanks, John

[2332]

I turned it like seven dozen times and the engine didn't move. Only when I turned the transformer off and on, it moved.

[magicman710]

Did you read my post? Please tell me if any of the things I told you dont work. Like I said, make sure your wiring is correct, you have batteries in the cab 1, you have power lighs on on both the transformer, command base, and powermaster, and that when YOU PRESS A BUTTON ON THE CAB 1, THAT A RED LIGHT FLASHES RAPIDLY, THIS IS IMPORTANT, IF IT IS NOT FLASHING ITS NOT GETTING SIGNAL FROM THE CAB 1.

John, dont be so rough on the guy, he didnt even get a welcome....   2332..

[csxt30]

John, dont be so rough on the guy, he didnt even get a welcome....   2332..

Thanks Grayson !!  I don't know what happened to my manners lately !!

2332 !!

Thanks, John

[2332]

Did you read my post? Please tell me if any of the things I told you dont work. Like I said, make sure your wiring is correct, you have batteries in the cab 1, you have power lighs on on both the transformer, command base, and powermaster, and that when YOU PRESS A BUTTON ON THE CAB 1, THAT A RED LIGHT FLASHES RAPIDLY, THIS IS IMPORTANT, IF IT IS NOT FLASHING ITS NOT GETTING SIGNAL FROM THE CAB 1.

John, dont be so rough on the guy, he didnt even get a welcome....   2332..

Thanks for the welcome magic. Anyway, I have to wires running from the powermaster to the track, the command base has one wire going to the U port on the Powermaster, although I'll take that out.

And I just replaced the batteries in the Cab 1. And the lights on all three componets work. And whenever I do something on the Cab 1, the light flashes raphidly.

I went thru all of that, AND IT STILL DOESN'T FRIGGIN' WORK! I guess it's just the engines.

[cheech]

Hi 2332

"And no, the engines aren't TMCC compatible. "

TMCC runs TMCC engines. It can run conventional equipment and some PS2MTh equipment. BUT< BUT in order to do that you need a TPC set to conventional.  This may be the issue you are facing.  To run non-TMCC equipment with your cab 1, you need a TPC.  They come in two versions, a 300 watt and 400 watt. As the literature that came with the commandbase/cab1/powermaster/ will describe, the tpc lets the tracks know you are running conventional via the cab remote. Otherwise, the locomotive, she won't work.

Ralph

[Anonymous]

You should have a command lock with your set up. The important part was just covered there is a different set up for running the TMCC and Conventional. with your present equipment you can not run Conventional you will need a TPC. I don't have time to walk you through everything but maybe the link will help.    Use the HELP LINK for TMCC > help. <-----------

 

REVISED - I missed the part that you had a CW 80. I thought you had the 180 brick. Thus you do not need the lock on. However the above link should help you understand the basics.  

 

[eZAK]

2332,

You do not need a TPC to run non-TMCC engines!

This is from the Lionel Web site;

"Interested in running non-TMCC locomotives remotely? The TMCC PowerMaster can:

• Control non-TMCC locomotives from the CAB-1 Remote Controller
• Vary track voltage
• Change locomotive direction, vary speed, operate whistle and bell
• Regulates up to 135 watts of power "

First make sure you have at least 12vac coming out of the CW-80!

Nexxt connect the CW-80 to the PowerMaster.(PM)

Re-address the PM and set to ENG #1.

With power to the CW-80 on, & 12vac coming out, rotate the dial on the Cab-1.

Check voltage at the 'Track' output on the PM. You should see voltage here. If not you may have a blown fuse inside the PM.

Please check the Lionel web site for further understanding.

If you still need help please email me at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

Well that is true if you are using the CW 80 and not the bricks like he is.

[Anonymous]

Ok i see where he later states he has a CW 80. I thought he was using just the bricks.

[chuck]

Does the cab-1 "beep" as you enter commands on the keypad?  If it doesn't, the batteries are installed improperly or dead, or the unit is hosed.  Check the Powermaster to make sure the switches are set in RUN, not Program, and Conventional, not Command.  Run/Program is used to set up the ID for the PowerMaster.  Each on will be addressed as TR 1 thru 9.  If the unit is in Program, you can't run trains, just screw up the programming.  If the address is "wrong" the red light will not blink in response to commands sent from the CAB-1.  Try TR 2, the TR 3, and so forth till you hit TR 9.  In each case watch the LED on the PowerMaster for activity.  If you set the unit to Command, it will pass through the full voltage from the power supply  once you address it.

[magicman710]

Did you read my post? Please tell me if any of the things I told you dont work. Like I said, make sure your wiring is correct, you have batteries in the cab 1, you have power lighs on on both the transformer, command base, and powermaster, and that when YOU PRESS A BUTTON ON THE CAB 1, THAT A RED LIGHT FLASHES RAPIDLY, THIS IS IMPORTANT, IF IT IS NOT FLASHING ITS NOT GETTING SIGNAL FROM THE CAB 1.

John, dont be so rough on the guy, he didnt even get a welcome....   2332..

Thanks for the welcome magic. Anyway, I have to wires running from the powermaster to the track, the command base has one wire going to the U port on the Powermaster, although I'll take that out.

Do you have a ground wire running from the cw80s ground post to the screw on the command base?

[chuck]

Unless you own any Comand Equipped loco's or an SC-2 or TPC, unplug the Command base and put it away.  The CAB-1 can "speak" to a PowerMaster directly.

[csxt30]

There could be a problem with the CW-80. I thought I read where some were reversed in the polarity causing issues. Not sure about that but there has been a lot written here about that transformer in the past. Depends I believe on the serial number on them, when they were made. Maybe trying another transformer will tell you something. 

Thanks, John.

[magicman710]

I believe is was the first CWs, made in 2003. The later ones were fixed from this problem, so as long as you have one that wasent made since 03 or 04, your pretty safe.

 

My luck, I have 03 CW!

 

Grayson