Jazzmann posted;What are the advantages if any of using TPC300/400 over the Legacy PowerMaster?
None. They have the same capabilities. The voltage designation is the only thing thats different.
The TPC 300 can handle up to 300w, the 400 up to 400w.
The regular Legacy powermaster handles up 180w, same as one 180w brick
The Legacy 360powermaster handles 360 w, two bricks.
While its "do-able" most "railroaders don't recommend using 2 bricks together through one TPC or Legacy powermaster. Its a ton of power, I did it myself briefly.
A derailment yields robust sparks and actually leaves spot weld like marks on the rails. Its better to breakup your layout into power districts, each districts having its own brick, with a gap in the center rail to isolate the districts.
Having said that, I never had any damage to locos, the breakers on the bricks pop faster than anything.
UL requirements aside. This is where it appears one could directly connect the brick to the track sans TPC powermaster or lockon.
I have one 180w brick (formerly 2) through a TPC 400. The TPC is supposed to eliminate the need for the lockon.
The breaker on my TPC has never popped in the 12 years I've owned it, the breaker on the brick(s) goes instantly, protecting your trains.
