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Offline marklin81  
#1 Posted : 25 May 2016 03:25:25(UTC)
marklin81

United States   
Joined: 19/03/2015(UTC)
Posts: 24
Location: Virginia
How important is the requirement that Marklin remote turnouts be connected to AC power?

The instructions show 12V AC, but the 67020 controller that came with my starter set is clearly marked for DC on the yellow and gray terminals. Furthermore, the wall wart only provides DC output.

I have connected the turnouts via a 72720 control box and they work with the DC input. However, I’m concerned about long-term effects on the turnout solenoids.

Should I be concerned?
Offline H0  
#2 Posted : 25 May 2016 08:15:05(UTC)
H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,249
Location: DE-NW
Hi!

The Märklin documentation is a patchwork with many holes. Maybe they wrote somewhere that DC will do for turnouts now that DC power supplies have to be used.

I think that any negative side effect of DC (if there should be any) can be reversed by reversing the polarity of DC or by switching to AC at a later stage.
If I was in your place I would not worry. The output of the 67020 is for accessories and it should not cause permanent damage.

Is the power supply 12 V DC?
Regards
Tom
---
"In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS
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Offline Carim  
#3 Posted : 25 May 2016 10:21:49(UTC)
Carim

United Kingdom   
Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC)
Posts: 648
Location: London
Hi,

I have a similar set-up with the 67013 controllers. I have been using them for a couple of years now with no problems.

Carim
Offline marklin81  
#4 Posted : 25 May 2016 20:57:12(UTC)
marklin81

United States   
Joined: 19/03/2015(UTC)
Posts: 24
Location: Virginia
Many thanks for the responses. I appreciate the help.

Originally Posted by: H0 Go to Quoted Post
Is the power supply 12 V DC?

No, and there's another part of the challenge.

Retailer in the US switches out the starter set 230V power supply with a 120V supply, Marklin 66365. Output on that unit is 18VDC.

I am able to adjust speed controller to 10 volts or less, but the 18 volts is constant at the accessory terminals. 18 volts seems awfully high for the turnout solenoids.


Offline Carim  
#5 Posted : 25 May 2016 21:20:11(UTC)
Carim

United Kingdom   
Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC)
Posts: 648
Location: London
Originally Posted by: marklin81 Go to Quoted Post
Output on that unit is 18VDC.



That is a lot higher than on the 67013 units where the accessory output is 11V DC.

Carim
Offline marklin81  
#6 Posted : 25 May 2016 23:07:22(UTC)
marklin81

United States   
Joined: 19/03/2015(UTC)
Posts: 24
Location: Virginia
The 67020 controller itself is marked for 11VDC input and output. As the the power pack (wall wart type) has an 18VDC output, you can understand my concern.
Offline marklin81  
#7 Posted : 15 June 2016 04:35:57(UTC)
marklin81

United States   
Joined: 19/03/2015(UTC)
Posts: 24
Location: Virginia
After some research, here is my new setup that eliminates the accessory control problem with the 18VDC Marklin 67020:

I use a Rokuhan RC-02 controller: http://www.modeltrainstu...ontroller-p/rkn-rc02.htm

Although the RC-02 can operate with AAA batteries, I use the Rokuhan A028 AC adapter: http://www.modeltrainstu...C-Adapter-p/rkn-a028.htm

The combination of controller and AC adapter is a 12VDC output with pulse width modulation. Much smoother locomotive operation than the 67020. The RC-02 comes with a feeder cable; clip the proprietary Rokuhan track feed off the end and use Marklin plugs.

To control turnouts and uncouplers, I added a Rokuhan C004 controller accessory switch with A029 Y-cable feeder: http://www.modeltrainstu...ry-Switch-p/rkn-c004.htm
http://www.modeltrainstu...er-Feeder-p/rkn-a029.htm

Remove one of the connector sockets and use Marklin plugs to connect. Of note, the accessory output is 12VDC, much safer for Marklin solenoids than the 18VDC output on the 67020.

When I have time, I will construct a resistor circuit between 67020 controller and track/accessories to step down the voltage and use it without worry. In the meantime, I'm quite pleased with the Rokuhan setup.
thanks 1 user liked this useful post by marklin81
Offline Carim  
#8 Posted : 15 June 2016 09:18:47(UTC)
Carim

United Kingdom   
Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC)
Posts: 648
Location: London
Hi,

It's great that you found a "safer" solution. Does the RC-02 have a separate accessory output so that you could use it with Marklin 72720 switches or are you effectively forced to use the Rokuhan accessory switches?

Thanks,
Carim
Offline marklin81  
#9 Posted : 15 June 2016 14:15:48(UTC)
marklin81

United States   
Joined: 19/03/2015(UTC)
Posts: 24
Location: Virginia
Originally Posted by: Carim Go to Quoted Post
Does the RC-02 have a separate accessory output so that you could use it with Marklin 72720 switches or are you effectively forced to use the Rokuhan accessory switches?


The RC-02 does have terminals to provide accessory output, but they aren't immediately convenient for a Marklin setup. The outputs are similar to the female terminals of a 9V battery.

The fix is fairly simple; you need to use one of their snap-on switches. However, regardless of the number of turnouts or other accessories, you only need one of the Rokuhan switches.

Instead of using Rokuhan's turnout control (C002), I use a single C004 accessory control. It is simply an on-off switch with two output terminals. After snipping off one of the two feeder connectors on a Rokuhan Y-cable (A029), I connect two Marklin plugs and connect 72720 switches via those plugs. To operate accessories, I just leave the C004 in the "on" position.

While the use of DC power (vice AC for the turnouts) remains unresolved, I have found a solution for the 18V problem.

Edited by user 19 June 2016 20:09:23(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

thanks 1 user liked this useful post by marklin81
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