HELP I am having trouble with my TMCC Track Power Controller

[SRen]

Hello Everyone,

I need opinions from anyone who has had experience using Lionel's TMCC Track Power Controller (TPC) device.    As  you all probably know, the TPC is  used to operate conventionally powered locomotives with Lionel's TMCC system's Cab-1 controller.  My TPC has an unusual quirk, every time I press the "ACC" button, I immedately lose control of my train.  In other words, if my train is running and I shut off power to a track by ussing the "ACC" button to triger my Track Block Controller (TBC) I immedately lose speed control.  If I activate my TBC pressing my "ACC" button while my train is stopped, I find that I can not get it started.  In fact every time I use the "ACC" button to opperate my TBCs I have to immediately turn my TPC back on by pressing buttons "TR" - "1" - "AUX 1".  Is this normal or do I have a defective Track Power Controller?  Has anyone else ever had this problem?  How do I fix it?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Scott 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Scott, I use a TPC 300 and I have not had the problem you describe.  In fact mine has worked flawlessly.  I use the ACC buttons to turn on and off my various accessoies around the layout using three SC-2s. I'm powered using two 180 w bricks plus a separate power for the accessories.   Everything of course is from the Lion.

First I would un-hook your TBC (and any other items being run from the Command Base) and see if you can duplicate the problem.  In other words, only the transformer, TPC and the command base is should be on line for an intial test.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but as they say: Haven't been there, haven't done that.

Good luck.

[Yog-Sothoth]

What you are experiencing may be normal. Once you press the "ACC" key, subsequent turns of the CAB-1 knob are interpreted as ACC commands (though I am not sure if there are any accessories that use the knob!) and not sent to the TPC.

You should be able to just push the TR key, and all subsequent commands will be routed to the TR used - in this case, your TPC.

This is described in the TMCC manual as the "sticky keys" function of the CAB-1

[luther_stanton]

Buckeye Riveter,

Have you experienced any issue with the TPC 300 since your two 180 POHOs have the potential to put 360W through the TPC?  It was my understanding that the TPC 300 was rated for 300W.

The reason that I ask is that I have considered a similar configuration but have not as I thought I would need to upgrade to the TPC 400.

Thanks,

Luther 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Buckeye Riveter,

Have you experienced any issue with the TPC 300 since your two 180 POHOs have the potential to put 360W through the TPC?  It was my understanding that the TPC 300 was rated for 300W.

The reason that I ask is that I have considered a similar configuration but have not as I thought I would need to upgrade to the TPC 400.

Thanks,

Luther 

Luther,

There have been zero problems with the TPC 300 and yes, there are two 180 Lionel Bricks connected to it with the special cord that Lionel sells.  The Command Base is connected to the TPC, again witht the special cord that Lionel sells.

Now, you are wondering how did an electrically challenged person such as I ever figure this out.  First, I read the Lionel catalog and saw the special connections for sale.  I then started a topic on the forum asking if anybody had ever used the special connections.  Guess what?   No answer!!!  Well, not exactly.  I didn't get anything on the forum, but Roy McClellen called me and asked me what I wanted to do.  If you don't know Roy's background, he designed the electrical set up for Lionel New York City display and has a background in wireless communications.  He asked me a bunch of questions and I ended up with the two bricks connected to the TPC 300.  

As of today I have about 120 feet of track, no isolated blocks.  I can run four to six engines at a time on one track.  Gotta go.

 

[luther_stanton]

Good info - thanks for the reply.  I will put this upgrade back into consideration!

 

SRen - I apologize for hi-jacking your thread.  I have done nothing to help you get closer to a solution for your problem.

 

- Luther
 

[ChiefEagles]

Guys, it seems that the conflict is between the TPC and BPC.  I do not know anything about Block Power Controlers.  My TPC runs flauless.

[cheech]

I'm no expert. I have multiple bricks connected to the TPC and the TPC to multiple BPC devices. No such problem.  

My guess is that it is

a coding problem --- the codes you may have used to designate the blocks may not all be active when you are hitting the ACC key or it is turning off a block or the BPC itself because the codes overlap some how.

a wiring problem --- the bpc is not properly connected to the command base or to the tpc

an EBCIK ---error between the keyboard and the chair---OOPS

There is another source of info, dare i say at the the other forum, solely dedicated to TMCC questions.  One of those gentleman may be able to help more.  In the end, you will need to test the wiring components.  BPC's go well before TPC's

ralph

 

[chuck]

My TPC's haven't behaved badly unless I accidently re-program them by hitting the wrong keys.  I don't have any BPC's but just pulled down the manual from Lionel's web site.  For a BPC set up to control 4 TPC's (Single BPC, control two blocks with 4 TPC's), You are supposed to be able to hit

ACC

then enter the ID number for the block you wish to control

then hit AUX1

then code in 1 through 4 to  tell which TPC will control that block

If you hit 0, you shut down power to that block.

If you ACC and the TPC shuts down, somethings probably programmed wrong or you have a bad communications cable. 

 

 

[j.t.]

That is normal, if you address your TPC and get you train running, then address something else such as your TBC you need to address your TPC before you can take control of your train again.  I have found this with my TCP 400 and my SC-2s. I control accessories with one of the SC-2s. I would like to get a second cab-1 to make controlling trains and accessories easier. One for trains, one for accessories.

[SRen]

Thank you all for you input on this issue!  I'll have to check out Lionels web site to see what they have to say.

 Thank you all again!  Stay warm...

 Scott

[SD-40T-2]

I have the lionel legacy #900  when i push boost  the train start then stops and  hesitate to move again  i have the TPC 400  and the 180 watt power house why is that  i wired every thing correctly i have the TPC 400  programd as tr 1