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control master 20

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Monday, July 22, 2013 10:04 PM

 CR8098

Couple of questions for you, The CM20 you have,is it the old version with the cooling fan??And do you get any type of reading from the,fixed DC output terminals, when it is set for,N,HO or G-scale??

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 10,582 posts
Posted by mlehman on Monday, July 22, 2013 9:12 PM

If shopping for used CM20s, keep in mind there are two versions. The original was fan-cooled. The second version had no fan, just heat sinks, so no fan noise.

What's really important is that the plug-in controller is INCOMPATIBLE between the two. Not really a problem unless you're buying a spare controller and need to match it to the CM20 you have, for instance.

The original version had a control line length limitation of 40' from controller to base. I verified this was the case. The manual wasn't changed to reflect this, but in a discussion recently I found that the second version can be used with much longer control line lengths. That may make a difference if you have a large layout.

Mike Lehman

Urbana, IL

  • Member since
    July 2013
  • 15 posts
Posted by CR8098 on Monday, July 22, 2013 9:17 AM

Hi, I have a CM20 however it is not working. No power to DC track terminals but power to 16V AC. If you think you can fix it or want the parts, cord and hand throttle, I'll sell it to you for the cost of shipping. It's pretty heavy so shipping might be 20 dollars or more depending on where you live. Let me know at usaw757@hotmail.com or this forum. Rob S.     

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: St. Louis, MO
  • 941 posts
Posted by river_eagle on Monday, June 24, 2013 7:51 PM

they retailed for $250.00, and generally sold at online discounters for around $150.00 or so.

there are several now on ebay ranging from $90 to $130.

When in doubt, rule #1 applies  Central Missouri Railroad Association cmrraclub.com
  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: North Carolina
  • 1,905 posts
Posted by csxns on Monday, June 24, 2013 5:20 PM

Train show Saturday some that went to DCC were selling them for about what they paid for them.

Russell

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,712 posts
Posted by zstripe on Sunday, June 23, 2013 4:51 PM

csxns

Does MRC make them anymore.

Simple answer,,,''no''..Sometimes they show up on E-Bay or Amazon,,,but they want a lot of money for them..

Cheers,

Frank

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: North Carolina
  • 1,905 posts
Posted by csxns on Sunday, June 23, 2013 12:45 PM

Does MRC make them anymore.

Russell

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 5 posts
control master 20
Posted by shusted333 on Sunday, June 23, 2013 10:39 AM

hi i am looking for a cm20 for sale at a low price does anyone have one for sale i had two of them years ago then i went to dcc then i sold every thing i had and now i am starting over and i want to go back to dc and i remember how much i liked the cm20's i had so if there is any cm20's out there for sale i hope i will find one thanks steve shusted333@aol.com

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