I've just picked one of these coaches up, it's excellent but I've hit a small snag. It isn't listed in the MS database and seems to be in "analog" mode even on digital track (head and tail lights on, readout in Km/h). Does anyone have a foolproof way of getting it to work with the MS?

Argh. I hope that isn't the case but it would explain the problems! Am I likely to damage it by running in analog mode on new digital systems (It just regards the constant track voltage as an analog power feed and ignores digital signals)? It works perfectly on analog at the moment anyway so I've not wasted my money. Thanks for the help!

Thanks Guus - as I said, at the moment it just sits there with the lights on and the readout in Km/h. According to the instructions (and a quick check inside) it comes with the address preset to 78, presumably it auto-senses digital or analog signals. I've tried adding a loco with this address but no luck. I would have thought however that if it was compatible nothing would light up - surely it would be waiting for digital commands?

Oops got to watch my words [:I].
The translation says model number 49960 has not been included in the CS.
The suggestion by Märklin is as mentioned in my previous posting.

On the other hand I wonder why old models like the 37341(dates back to 1996 as opposed to the 49960 from 1998) and Delta models work perfectly with the Mobile station.
Am I missing some important clue or...?

Kind regards
Guus

P.S.:Couldn't find any new information in Märklins Newsletters yet,but I'll keep searching.

I found that odd too. I have a Delta-equipped DHG 700 that I was able to persuade to work with the MS with no problems. I just set an address using the dip switches and dialled the address in the MS database entry to match.

I would definitely suspect that Lars might have a point about differing Motorola formats. If you think about it, the basic loco commands (for directional control and lighting) are probably the same as they've always been. Commands for function-only decoders in rolling stock however might have changed. It is also a bit odd that there's a database entry for the 49961 (the overhead line maintenance car - has two operating pantographs and lighting) but none for the 49960.

I'll follow David's suggestion and try an email. I think the UK importer (Gaugemaster) might be a better bet than Marklin - they probably get fewer emails to sift through!

Ok Guus, I'll try that before emailing. Thanks for the help!

Thanks David - I'll try Marklin direct then.

Sorry Lars,I really don't understand your reply.Märklin explicitly says on their FAQs that the 49960 has not been incorporated in the database of their CS however they suggest: choose "new loc + function decoder" to make it work.

I'm certainly no expert and I'm sure you understand much more of the electronics involved than I do,but how should Märklins solution be interpreted then

Kind regards
Guus

Okay I'm beginning to understand now.
So,correct me if I'm wrong but I shouldn't compare a Mobile station with a CS right?

In other words is there a difference in the digital signal generated by a Mobile Station and a CS?
Please accept my apologies for misinterpreting the problem,but for a moment I was confused by thinking CS and MS could be substituded.

Kind regards
Guus

Not a problem - I'm going to email Marklin on Monday. I take it they have English speakers in the service department? Or should I try their US arm? Many thanks again for all help recieved so far.

It really only works with an MS that is connected to a CS. In a MS standalone mode, it won't work (as mentioned already by Lars).

Reason: The MS CPU doesn't generate the "old" Motorola I data format.

Märklin's response will be -> use a CS.

It will then look something like follows (it's recommended to change the "F" icon for f1 and f2 to the light 1 and light 2 icons - f0 is only needed as "placeholder" for an appropriate icon display - see MS screen):

Although the button layout looks the same for both cars, their configuration is different; the Measurement care MUST be configured as "Function Decoder", whereas the cute little crane can be configured like any loco on the CS.



This CS setting is dowloaded to the MS as follows:



The Measurement car settings can then be changed like with any 6020/6036 or 6021.





And needless to say, the crane is also performing some "heavy duty"!

Hi Matt,

the crane works perfect with a MS.
We had it running during our open day at the Foreign Office in Berlin on 2006-11-03 and it was an eyecatcher. No. 46715 was not in database of MS but you can choose any loco that has all functions then set it to the digital adress of the crane and off you go.

Thanks again - still waiting for the crane to turn up. I'm now slightly worried though - Amazon are still saying they can get them in 2-3 days, but Marklin lists them as "Out of stock at factory". I have a horrible suspicion that they may have sold out on advance order, and that Amazon failed to secure stock.

Hi all

I am picking up this old topic again, to share some of my excperience with the fantastic Messwagen with you. I am very happy with it. So far, without any layout, the total running time is 44,1 hours.

The front- and rear light is connected directly to "B", thus ON all the time. After approx 15 hours, I found that the rear red lamp had started to melt it's plastic housing. It is slightly deformed, but not enough to make any problems. Please also notice the black upper part on my knife. Also sligtly deformed, but no problem.

I replaced it with a red LED, not creating any harmful heat. The white lamp is OK. Due to the red paint on the rear bulb, it probably gets warmer than the white bulb. Some red paint was sticking to the plastic housing.




Next, I installed an old 6080 decoder to control the front and rear light. Notice the purple, grey and yellow wires. The purple wires are connected where the black to the motor used to be. This is "+" (should be orange wire, though). Flicker free lights.

I gave it the same address as the "main" decoder. I have also disconnected the pantograph, as I don't need it's electrical connection.



Cut off a little bit of the grey wall, and it's plenty of space for the decoder. Just by luck, the two windows just in front of the decoder are originally painted grey.

I have not managed to get it working with the MS, but with the CS it works perfect, also with the front/rear light changeover.

Edit: I also tested with interior light in the front and rear ends, controlled by the motor output and speed knob, but I have disconnected it again.

Matt, I can recommend the Märklin soldering iron 70910 - if you don't allready have it.

I have compared it's reasonable price with other quite simular irons from other suppliers, normally they have a much higher price.
I'm very happy with it.