Lionel Legfacy Problem

[Woody Wilson]

I have a Lionel Fast Track layout in which 2 separate track layouts are independently connected to their own TMCC Track Power Controller (TPC) 300.

 Additionally an SC-2 Switch & Accessory Controller is connected to each TMCC Track Power Controller (TPC) 300.  One SC-2 activates 2 Fast Track Remote Switches and the other SC-2 activates 4 Fast Track Remote Switches.

The remaining Lionel Fast Track layout is connected to a ZW Transformer which controls up to 4 trains. To this system 3 TMCC Switch Controllers (ASC) are connected in series.

A Legacy Control System is connected to the ZW Controller and the 2 independent TMCC Track Power Controllers (TPC) 300 so that the db9 connector terminal on the Legacy Command Base goes to a data and comm connection into a terminal strip. From the adjacent side of the terminal strip 3 wires are connected for data and 3 wires are connected for comm. One set of data and comm wires goes to one of the TMCC Track Power Controllers and one set goes to the other TMCC Track Power Controller. The 3^rd set of data and comm wires goes into the 1^st of 3 in series TMCC Switch Controllers (ASC).

The Fast Track U and Hot wires are properly connected to an MTH 12 unit Terminal Block. A wire is connected from the U of the MTH Terminal Block to the Binding Post on the Legacy Command Base Charger.

Additionally the 2 TMCC Track Power Controllers are connected to the U and Hot wire of their associated track layouts and the data and comm comes from each SC-2 into the proper connection of their respective TMCC Power Controllers.  

Now comes the problem.

As instructed by Lionel, a wire is attached from the U on each TMCC Track Power Controller to the Binding Post of the Legacy Command Base Charger as well as the U coming from the MTH Terminal Block.

Once the U wires from the 2 TMCC Power Controllers are attached along with the U wire from the MTH Terminal Block to the Legacy Command Base Charger; trains stop, switches won’t work, and routes won’t through.

If only the U from the MTH Terminal Block is connected to the Legacy Command Base Charger that Fast Track layout with 11 Remote Switches switches works perfectly.

If only the U terminals from the TMCC Track Power Controllers are connected to the Legacy Base Charger those 2 separate track layouts and 6 switches work perfectly.

When the 2 U wires from the TPC’s are connected with the U wire from the MTH Terminal Block the entire system starts failing.

I have tried connecting from the U on the ZW Transformer directly to the Legacy Command Base instead of coming from the U on the MTH Terminal Block but the same system failure occurs.

I have spoken to Lionel technicians and the head of the technical department and they tell me there should not be a problem.

There is and I cannot come up with a solution.

Does anyone have a suggestion how to fix the problem?

Best of Health,

Bob

[CB&Q]

are you using an old zw transformer or the newer one that uses 135 \ 180 watt power houses?

if your using the newer zw it already has the tpc's included with it so the others you have aren't needed.

 if you have an old zw try this,

1. run hot and common wires from transformer to tpc track input also run one wire from U post from legacy base to tpc common track power input.

2. from tpc track output run hot and common wires to mth terminal strip.

3. from mth terminal strip run hot and common wire to track

4. you can simplify the db-9 wiring by connecting the 3 wires to the first tpc and then daisy chain those 3 wires to the next tpc and then to the next tmcc device and so on.

hope this helps you and it should work.

I do have a question  I assume you are addressing the tpc # you wish to use and selecting either command \ conventional on legacy remote.