TPC-300 Plug will not go into TMCC Base all the way.

[csxt30]

Just got my TPC-300 & the cable # 6-14191 will not go into the command base receptical far enough to let the screws reach the threads & tighten down. I wonder if anyone would know what the problem is . Thanks for any help !!

John     

[Buckeye Riveter]

Yes, I know what the problem is John.  Lionel did not make it right.   (This problem has been documented by others on this and other forums for about the last four years. )  

I have a TPC-300 and I have the same exact problem.  Just get some longer screws or use duct tape.  I just connected mine and it stayed.  As a side note, I don't understand why Lionel hasn't fixed this known problem.    It is just a five pin computer connection.

John, if you didn't get an instruction manual, make sure you download it from the Lionel web page.

[csxt30]

Oh, thanks so much Buckeye !! I was just about to go & buy another command base set, thinking something was wrong with my base, maybe old one or something !! I never ran across that fix before !!

Thanks again !!

John 

[A&Y Ry]

I made my serial cables up from Radio Shack parts and had the same problem. But it stays plugged in.

[csxt30]

I made my serial cables up from Radio Shack parts and had the same problem. But it stays plugged in.

Dewey : would you still have that material list ? Mine seems to stay plugged in, but it doesn't feel very tight !!

Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

John, take teh screws out of the cable end, go to ACE [or any hardware store] and get longer screws with same thread.  Mine are packed up in box or I would tell you the size.  Replace the present ones with regular screws.  Then cable will not accidently come out.

[csxt30]

John, take teh screws out of the cable end, go to ACE [or any hardware store] and get longer screws with same thread.  Mine are packed up in box or I would tell you the size.  Replace the present ones with regular screws.  Then cable will not accidently come out.

Thanks Chief !!  I'll do just that, then !!  Boy, TPCs are nice & now I can use my coil coupler on my MTH engine !!

Thanks, John

[A&Y Ry]

John

Materials:  I used a male DB-9 Connector [Shack part #276-1537] which is required for the Command Base serial port connection.

2 small rolls of #22 stranded copper wire from Shack, one roll of red one of green.

Wiring steps:

Connect the RED [Dat] wire to pin 2 of the DB-9 connector and the GREEN [Com] wire to pin 5.

Connect the other wire end[s] to the TPC's terminals. RED to the terminal screw marked Dat and GREEN to the terminal screw marked Com.

[Com/Green on pin 5 is the interface to earth ground thru the Command Base 3-prong plug. The TPC Com terminal screw is a convienent place to connect a copper wire that is being used as a "ground plane" on your layout where tracks go over/under and create TMCC operating problems. Info courtesy of Dale and Cam, electronics gurus par excellent]. 

 

 

[ChiefEagles]

[Com/Green on pin 5 is the interface to earth ground thru the Command Base 3-prong plug. The TPC Com terminal screw is a convienent place to connect a copper wire that is being used as a "ground plane" on your layout where tracks go over/under and create TMCC operating problems. Info courtesy of Dale and Cam, electronics gurus par excellent]. 

Thanks for that info, Dewey.

[tmcc man]

I have the same problem, but mine is tight.

[csxt30]

[Com/Green on pin 5 is the interface to earth ground thru the Command Base 3-prong plug. The TPC Com terminal screw is a convienent place to connect a copper wire that is being used as a "ground plane" on your layout where tracks go over/under and create TMCC operating problems. Info courtesy of Dale and Cam, electronics gurus par excellent]. 

Thanks for that info, Dewey.

Yes, a big thank you here too, Dewey !!  

Thanks, John 

[cnjcomp]

The wiring is really a computer coupling and you can use what are called standoffs to get to the required length.  They are available at Radio Shack.