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Hi I got a used K-Line BigBoy with TMCC today. Don't think its been run for many years. I have a Legacy controller and MTH Wifi controller and the neccessary parts to combine these systems. But I get only partial functions from this loco.

Running with the Legacy controller it takes off at full speed at step 2, and only forwards. Steam sounds OK, No Bell, No Whistle.  Aux1 + 5 runs the shutting down sequence.

Also the rear coupler functions flawlessly.

Running the MTH app is about the same but I can reverse the loco.

All other locos run at the moment are MTH or Legacy but I have run TMCC locos with this setup before.

I have done factory reset using "4" as the code, but no difference.

Have I missed a setting ?

 

 

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That is weird, so you do have some functional control with TMCC, but not all.  Not sure why going thru MTH system allows reverse and Legacy does not.

I guess I would open it up and inspect what you have.  I have seen K-Line engines either stripped of parts, or Cruise added.  You could have a combination of issues.  Part R2LC and Motor board, and Part railsounds.   You can take the boards out and reseat.  With proper pick tool, remove chips from RS board and reseat.  That may resolve your Bell/Whistle issue.  As far as Motor drive, try a new R2LC.  Make sure antenna not grounded.  After that need to look at the Motor drive board.  If cruise, it could be a failure, or just missing serial data.  If DCDR, it may think it is in conventional and goes full tilt.  But that does not explain how you have other TMCC control.  This one sound like it may need a more experience tech with the necessary parts to start swapping.   G

I think I'd start by examining the wiring and then testing the boards.  Cruise is not mentioned, but as George says, that's not a concrete indication of what you have.  However, I don't think any of the K-Line stuff from 2002 came with cruise control, that came several years later as I recall.

K3790-4015S Union Pacific Big Boy #4015 w/Lionel RailSounds, TMCC, Smoke & Electrocoupler

K3790-4015S

Here it is naked. Cruise is not mentioned in the manual. I have removed and reseated all boards but no luck. I removed the antenna connection to the body, same result. I do not have many TMCC locos or experience. And as I live Europe I can't send it for repair. I think I have an R2LC board from an Atlas Diesel. I also have a LIONEL TMCC RS-11 that I haven't used much as it was something off with TMCC on that one too. and I have a Lionel Mikado that is a K-line design(With cruise). This can't run on my current 031 layout but worked well on a previous layout until 2012. Even though TMCC is unknown to me, I have electronics skills and can handle a soldering iron.

On the rearmost board on the locomotive there is a jumper "J5" what is this for ?

 

IMG_1168IMG_1169

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OK, it's a bog standard TMCC package, it uses all Lionel parts.  There is no cruise as I see the standard DCDR motor driver.

If you're reseated all the boards and made SURE there are no loose or broken wires, the next step I'd go for is replacing the R2LC.  I'm assuming you did reprogram the locomotive, right?  If not, do that first.

STEP 1: Move switch on locomotive from run to program.
STEP 2: Turn on Command Base.
STEP 3: Place locomotive on track, then turn on power to track.
STEP 4: Press “ENG” then input locomotive ID#. Press “SET”.
STEP 5: Press ”ENG” then input locomotive ID# again.
STEP 6: Press “AUX 1”, then input the reprogramming code number that
corresponds to your locomotive, "4" for this locomotive.
STEP 7: Turn off power to track, wait ten seconds.
STEP 8: Remove locomotive from track, move switch from program to run.
STEP 9: Place locomotive back on track. Turn power on to track.
STEP 10: Press “ENG” and ID#, then operate as normal.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

OK, it's a bog standard TMCC package, it uses all Lionel parts.  There is no cruise as I see the standard DCDR motor driver.

If you're reseated all the boards and made SURE there are no loose or broken wires, the next step I'd go for is replacing the R2LC.  I'm assuming you did reprogram the locomotive, right?  If not, do that first.

STEP 1: Move switch on locomotive from run to program.
STEP 2: Turn on Command Base.
STEP 3: Place locomotive on track, then turn on power to track.
STEP 4: Press “ENG” then input locomotive ID#. Press “SET”.
STEP 5: Press ”ENG” then input locomotive ID# again.
STEP 6: Press “AUX 1”, then input the reprogramming code number that
corresponds to your locomotive, "4" for this locomotive.
STEP 7: Turn off power to track, wait ten seconds.
STEP 8: Remove locomotive from track, move switch from program to run.
STEP 9: Place locomotive back on track. Turn power on to track.
STEP 10: Press “ENG” and ID#, then operate as normal.

I have tried that several times I did find a R2LC and replaced it. Same result. 

Well, the only two parts that typically would cause a runaway are the R2LC or the DCDR in this locomotive.  The tender components are strictly the sound, they wouldn't cause what you see.  This is the DCDR, it's the only other component I can imagine that could be an issue with those symptoms. 

Obviously, I'd be checking continuity for all the wiring between various components at this stage, but if that fails, you'll likely have to try replacing the DCDR.  The sad part is, if you lived in the US, I have a drawer full of those.

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gunrunnerjohn posted:

Hmm...  Excellent point about 50hz, I didn't even think of that.  Lots of people in Europe do run TMCC, I wonder if others have similar issues?  In thinking about the operation of the DCDR, I can't see why it would be a factor, but who knows.

I'm honestly unsure, but I recall folks having trouble and having to use a 60Hz inverter to get original TMCC to work properly.  I don't remember whaat problems 50Hz actually caused, but seem to remember having read that one of the firmware updates for Legacy fixed the problem for Legacy stuff... Really don't know what I'm talking about on this, but maybe someone in the know could enlighten us about what problems 50Hz cause and if this might be one of them.  

Before making a major decision about a different control system, you could try operating it on 60Hz and see if that is the problem. If it is, you can figure out what else to do. You do not have to "run a 60Hz inverter continuously," only long enough to determine if that is the problem or not.  If 50Hz is not the problem you can look elsewhere.

Since no one here (so far) can tell you definitively what the problem is, you will have to do some more investigation. It's better to make some tests that point you in the right direction and eliminate phantoms than it is to just speculate and make knee jerk decisions based on someone else's guesses and speculation.

Last edited by RoyBoy

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