I'm trying to get two LCRU boards running, plus this is my first foray into TMCC, so there is much I am learning, and I'm having some issues.
I have two Command Bases and two CAB-1's, both purchased used and said to work by previous owner. No reason not to believe him, but they are unknowns.
LCRUs - both sold to me in "Unknown" condition - both old style with large pins for soldering
SETUP: I did a bench mockup which includes the LCRU hooked to an electric coupler, a headlamp and a "smokelamp" to simulate the load of the smoke unit. Chassis ground is hooked to the U terminal on my 1033 transformer, and the power (red) lead from the LCRU is hooked to the A terminal. The whole affair is hooked to a known good motor from a 600 series diesel (single field winding).
Wiring:
F to "smokelamp"
E to headlight
C - NC
D to rear coupler
N (black) to run/pgm switch
M (white) to chassis ground *
I (violet) to run/pgm switch
B (black) to ground *
* Per installation guide, white+blk both tied to ground for a steam engine w/smoke
RESULTS: When started up with the Command base unplugged, board #1 runs ok in Conventional, i.e. it has forward, neutral, reverse, neutral, etc. However in both neutral states, the "smokelamp" flashes at about 1 pulse/second, while the headlight is steady ON - is that normal? I found a wiring diagram for the 610-8043-001 C&O Hudson that shows E is the smoke terminal and F is the headlight, opposite of what's in the LCRU installation guide. That same Hudson diagram also shows M and B both tied to ground which is the same configuration I am using from the installation guide (for a steamer.)
When the command base is powered up it has a green power light and when the CAB-1 speed knob is adjusted, the Command Base provides a flickering red light. When various CAB-1 buttons are depressed, the Command Base once again provides red blips. The problem is that the engine continues to run in conventional mode. There's no apparent recognition of the TMCC signal.
The other board you ask? Board #2 is dead as a doornail. Nothing, nodda, zip. I swapped the PIC chip and the "deadness" followed the chip, so I'm fairly certain I have at least one dead PIC chip.
Questions: So is my wiring correct? Is there another combo I should try? Is there a more definitive test?
In any event, I suspect the PIC chip that provides conventional operation (but no TMCC) is damaged, just not all the way.
Anybody have a spare, known good PIC chip (LCRU 0412) they would be willing to sell?
George
