tmcc track power controler 300 problem heeeelp

[Anonymous]

[:(!] i have newer locos with railsounds and a few older locos i bought the tpc 300 to get these all to work i hooked this unit up according to the directions its communicating with the powermaster but it will not send power to the track i programed an id code and trying to turn on either command or conv the track led doesnt light up i have two 180 watt powerpacks and all adapter cabels any help would be appreciated

[Anonymous]

First, I'll assume when you say "it's communicating with the powermaster" you mean it's communicating (and properly hooked to) with the TMCC command base.

Second, I'll assume you followed the easily followed directions as to programing the TPC.

All I can see as a potential problem is putting two 180 watt bricks into a 300 watt regulator. Try using one 180 watt brick per TPC 300. The internal spike protection circuit on the TPC is probably refusing to allow 360 watts to pass through.

[Anonymous]

The transformer will only supply the power that the train(s) pull. That is, if a train requires 10 watts, that's all the transformer will deliver, even if it's rated for 1,000,000 watts.

You MUST have a Command Base connected to the TPC through an RS-232 cable. If you don't do this, the TPC will not work.

Tony

[Anonymous]

thanks i tried the one brick and it did the same thing . whats happening is that as i try to turn on the track power or switch from conventional to command mode the track light is supposed to flash but nothing is happenning no flashing at all. i think the unit might be bad or i need the 400 watt reg thanks again . can you think of anything else ???????

[Anonymous]

vitabile, are you meaning the computer cable that hooks up in the dat port if so i have this cable I am running the adapter to hook up the power packs then the cable to hook up the command base

[Anonymous]

ChooChojohn:

That's the cable that I mean.

What do you mean by "track light?" I don't own a TPC, so I'm not sure what lights are supposed to be on it. Do you mean a light on a lockon, or do you mean a light on the TPC itself?

Tony

[Anonymous]

TONY THE TPC HAS TWO LIGHTS ON IT ONE FOR THE COM. PORT THIS BLINKS AS YOU SEND COMMANDS TO THE TPC AND ONE FOR TRACK POWER THIS IS THE ONE THAT WILL NOT LIGHT UP IT IS SUPPOSED TO FLASH AS YOU GO BETWEEN COMMAND MODE AND CONVENTIONAL . BUT NO GOOD IT IS AS IF THE UNIT IS NOT SENDING POWER OUT TO THE TRACK

[eZAK]

chochojohn,
Lets try to isolate your prob.
First disconnect Everything you have connected to the TPC in question.
Now reconnect this TPC to a test track.
Hook up an input fron a trans.(set at 18v), Hook up an output to the test track,
Hook up the command base to the TPC using Com & Dat, Plug in base.

With that done reprogram the TPC. When done shut off power for 30sec.
Now turn the trans on and address the TPC (TR + 1+ Boost) with the Cab-1.
You should now have a slow blinking(command) or steady on(conventional)green light on the right side (facing) of the unit.
To change between comm & conv use TR+1+L or M.
To set to memory use 'set' after L or M.

With that done. Move on to testing a loco. Hit the halt button. Place a loco on the track.
(selection of comm or conv should have been done) Address the TPC. Turn the red knob on cab-1. While turning the knob the light on the left side(facing) should fast blink.

Let us know how this works out for you!

You can also email me directly at [e-mail]

[Anonymous]

just went out to try what you wrote to do and wala we have power its nice to know there are people out there who can help ... thanks pat i spent at least 6 hours on sunday trying to get this thing to work .and you helped me in 5 min ... if you are ever in jax flordia i would be glad to buy you a beer ... thank you again john