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Offline Seetal  
#1 Posted : 12 November 2004 02:01:11(UTC)
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Seetal


Joined: 12/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 548
Location: Maryland, USA
Hi there,

I have seen a lot of discussions about the new Marklin controller(s) and IB but ESU (who developed mfx with Marklin?)also have a new digital controller. Just curious but has anyone got any information about the new mobile controller from ESU (article number 51110)? Is this just a different version of the mobile controller from Marklin or does it do more? It appears to work with IB but I am not too sure.

John
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Offline Charlie  
#2 Posted : 12 November 2004 17:12:05(UTC)
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Charlie


Joined: 15/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 707
Location: Texas, USA
Hello John,

The new ESU Mobile Control is not a different version of Marklin's Mobile Station.

It is more of a fancy remote control for your existing digital controller. It (I should say it's receiver) can be hooked up to your Marklin 6021, Intellibox etcetera. New locomotives have to be programmed into the Mobile Control. Of course this programming only has to be done one time.

It has a few neat features, you can program the maximum speed (in km/h) of your locomotive, and on the display you will see the speed relative to the max speed you entered. You can also name your locomotives, so that you do not have to remember an address.

You can control up to 10 functions per locomotive.

Hope this helps some, and welcome to the forum!!!!!!!!!


Charlie

www.ajckids.com
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Offline Seetal  
#3 Posted : 12 November 2004 18:58:01(UTC)
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Seetal


Joined: 12/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 548
Location: Maryland, USA
Hi Charlie,

Thanks for the welcome.

I am trying to get my head around the various control options. I plan on running multiple trains at the same and sometimes on the sae track, and I plan on doing this with my 5 year old. So that brings several constraints, but the biggest is I need to have another controller so we both can control locos. And with the new Marklin system it seems that investing further in my 6021 box is not an obvious choice. So I am trying to understand what else is out there, how expensive and how intuitive for a young kid.

John
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Offline jselter  
#4 Posted : 12 November 2004 20:39:40(UTC)
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jselter


Joined: 09/08/2004(UTC)
Posts: 164
Location: DeLand, FL, USA
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Seetal
<br />Hi Charlie,

Thanks for the welcome.

I am trying to get my head around the various control options. I plan on running multiple trains at the same and sometimes on the sae track, and I plan on doing this with my 5 year old. So that brings several constraints, but the biggest is I need to have another controller so we both can control locos. And with the new Marklin system it seems that investing further in my 6021 box is not an obvious choice. So I am trying to understand what else is out there, how expensive and how intuitive for a young kid.

John


Charlie, if you buy a stater set you'll get a mobile station. Then just order another mobile station which you're son could use. Both stations plug into the same box. Better yet, buy two starter sets. Marklin needs the money.wink

Joe
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Offline Davy  
#5 Posted : 12 November 2004 20:59:07(UTC)
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Davy


Joined: 29/08/2003(UTC)
Posts: 1,915
Location: Netherlands
The esu control you mention is not very cheap. I think about 209 euro.
By the way. I almost forget welcome to the forum.biggrin
M-track with a CS2.
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Offline john black  
#6 Posted : 12 November 2004 23:25:50(UTC)
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john black

United States   
Joined: 22/04/2004(UTC)
Posts: 12,139
Location: New York, NY
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Seetal
<br />And with the new Marklin system it seems that investing further in my 6021 box is not an obvious choice. So I am trying to understand what else is out there, how expensive and how intuitive for a young kid


Hi John,

welcome to the Forum Smile
The most economical way to go for you and your son is buying 2 Digital Systems Starter Sets of your choice and "melting" them together into one nice layout. That way the two of you get 2 complete digital trains with 2 Mobile Stations plus LOTS of track ... [:p]

Have fun
John

I hope no one visits a poor Southener's layout in Brooklyn. Intruders beware of Gators.
AT&SF, D&RGW, T&P, SP, WP, UP, BN, NYC, ARR, epI-III - analog & digital Marklin Classics only.
CU#6021 FX-MOTOROLA DIGITAL SYSTEM. Fast as lightning and no trouble. What else ...
Outlaw Member of BIG JUHAN's OUTSIDER CLUB. With the most members, worldwide
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Offline David Dewar  
#7 Posted : 12 November 2004 23:27:49(UTC)
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David Dewar

Scotland   
Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 7,453
Location: Scotland
Try the Marklin starter set if you find one you like. You will not go wrong.
David
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer.
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Offline Seetal  
#8 Posted : 13 November 2004 03:17:19(UTC)
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Seetal


Joined: 12/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 548
Location: Maryland, USA
I would love to get another starter set but none of them quite get my interests.

If I get a mobile station on its own can I plug my existing 6001 (42VA) transformer into the mobile controller?

And if I get a second mobile station I plug it into the first mobile station?

And my 6021 is a paper weight?

John
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Offline Charlie  
#9 Posted : 13 November 2004 04:19:39(UTC)
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Charlie


Joined: 15/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 707
Location: Texas, USA
First: Hello Joe! I hadn't seen you had joined the forum. It was actually John who is looking for the best way to get his son involved Smile

John,

The Mobil Station hand controllers are a great way to go. I believe they are fairly kid friendly too.

The thing about the starter sets is that you get a lot of stuff for a decent price. Even if you like none of the sets, I bet you that your son will like -for example- the fire truck set. My 5 year old sure did. For the money you'll get track, the hand controller, and the train, and if you don't care about the train, you can let your son enjoy it, without you having to worry too much about it.

Yes, you can use your 6001 as power supply. Use the transformer from the starter set to power lights etc. When you get a second mobil station, you hook it up, via a little adapter cable, to the same track piece.

The 6021 will become a paper weight, or a hand me down.

Hope this helps some.

Charlie
www.ajckids.com
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Offline john black  
#10 Posted : 13 November 2004 17:37:55(UTC)
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john black

United States   
Joined: 22/04/2004(UTC)
Posts: 12,139
Location: New York, NY
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Seetal
<br />And my 6021 is a paper weight?


Not half ... Do you run an existing layout with it already or is that CU6021 a lonesome piece of equipment ?

I hope no one visits a poor Southener's layout in Brooklyn. Intruders beware of Gators.
AT&SF, D&RGW, T&P, SP, WP, UP, BN, NYC, ARR, epI-III - analog & digital Marklin Classics only.
CU#6021 FX-MOTOROLA DIGITAL SYSTEM. Fast as lightning and no trouble. What else ...
Outlaw Member of BIG JUHAN's OUTSIDER CLUB. With the most members, worldwide
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Offline Seetal  
#11 Posted : 14 November 2004 18:37:41(UTC)
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Seetal


Joined: 12/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 548
Location: Maryland, USA
My current layout is controlled from the 6021 (came with the starter set). And it can handle 4 locos at the same time, which is fine.

I read on the marklin US site that the hand controller can control 2-3 locos, and that brings up a question. If I have 2 controllers can I control 4-6 locos, or is it still only 2-3 locos at a time?

John
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Offline Charlie  
#12 Posted : 14 November 2004 21:44:58(UTC)
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Charlie


Joined: 15/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 707
Location: Texas, USA
The hand controller keeps 10 locomotives in its memory. But it can only handle a limited amount of power. That translates to about 2-3 locomotives running simultaneously.
With a second controller, that number increases to 4-6, assuming the power supply (transformer/s) can handle the load. With (I assume) your 6001, you'll be pushing the limit.
www.ajckids.com
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Offline xxup  
#13 Posted : 14 November 2004 22:14:02(UTC)
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xxup

Australia   
Joined: 15/03/2003(UTC)
Posts: 9,593
Location: Australia
Let's face it.. Who can really manually control more than three locos, without some automation of switches and blocks etc, at a time anyway..
Adrian
UserPostedImage
Australia flag by abFlags.com
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Offline perz  
#14 Posted : 14 November 2004 23:04:01(UTC)
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perz

Sweden   
Joined: 12/01/2002(UTC)
Posts: 2,578
Location: Sweden
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:That translates to about 2-3 locomotives running simultaneously.

I would rather say 4-5, with the starter set version of the Mobile Station, and the 18 VA transformer. When I tested it, five fully digital (6090x) locomotives could run with head lights on. When adding a sixth locomotive I got occational over-current interrupts, and with seven it did not run at all. It is the Mobile Station itself that sets the limit, not the 18 VA transformer. The result was exactly the same with a 60 VA transformer.

If you have Delta or old 6080-locos, smoke generators or lighted coaches, it is another thing. Then 2-3 is a more realistic figure.

However, if you have two Mobile Stations, the power will not add up. Only the "master" station will actually supply power to the track. The other one will just be a hand controller.
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Offline Lars Westerlind  
#15 Posted : 14 November 2004 23:12:33(UTC)
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Lars Westerlind


Joined: 19/10/2001(UTC)
Posts: 2,379
Location: Lindome, Sweden
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Charlie
<br />The hand controller keeps 10 locomotives in its memory. But it can only handle a limited amount of power. That translates to about 2-3 locomotives running simultaneously.
With a second controller, that number increases to 4-6, assuming the power supply (transformer/s) can handle the load. With (I assume) your 6001, you'll be pushing the limit.


Dear Charlie,
you need a strange setup (two separated segments) in order to get more power from two controllers. Standard setup is two controller but one ugly box and one transformer.

The limit comes from the Mobile Station. The ones in the starter sets (except scale 1) are limited to 1.2 A, the one sold separately to 1.9 A.

Regards,
Lars Westerlind
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Offline Seetal  
#16 Posted : 15 November 2004 04:25:41(UTC)
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Seetal


Joined: 12/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 548
Location: Maryland, USA
Hi there,

The aim is to have several people playing (they will mainly be kids, otherwise I would call it "operating") on the system at the same time.

From the thread it seems that I may be able to have 4 trains running (all my trains are "new" and I presume have the 6090x chip) with a starter set's mobile, and maybe 5 if I buy the mobile controller one sold separtely.

So when the new control center comes out will this limit also be constrained by the mobile or will the new control center over-ride that constraint? I ask as much for curiousity although given the price of this hobby I do not want to get locked into a system that I cab not expand without another large wad of money.

And the ugly box (is it the unit that connects the controller to the track, that is ugly) what is it and its role? I saw mention in other threads but I did not understand and there were no catalog numbers or pictures to help me.

It seems that there are many changes coming with the central station, and then there is the question about how IB will react. I do like the idea of harnessing all the new features of mfx, especially sound.

John

John
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Offline john black  
#17 Posted : 15 November 2004 08:55:48(UTC)
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john black

United States   
Joined: 22/04/2004(UTC)
Posts: 12,139
Location: New York, NY
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Seetal
<br />The aim is to have several people playing (they will mainly be kids, otherwise I would call it "operating") on the system at the same time


So two Mobile Stations should do the job perfectly well. Central Station or Intellibox would certainly be too much for kids who wanna play only ...

I hope no one visits a poor Southener's layout in Brooklyn. Intruders beware of Gators.
AT&SF, D&RGW, T&P, SP, WP, UP, BN, NYC, ARR, epI-III - analog & digital Marklin Classics only.
CU#6021 FX-MOTOROLA DIGITAL SYSTEM. Fast as lightning and no trouble. What else ...
Outlaw Member of BIG JUHAN's OUTSIDER CLUB. With the most members, worldwide
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Offline Lars Westerlind  
#18 Posted : 15 November 2004 09:08:28(UTC)
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Lars Westerlind


Joined: 19/10/2001(UTC)
Posts: 2,379
Location: Lindome, Sweden
Hello John,
Quote:
[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Seetal
<br />Hi there,

The aim is to have several people playing (they will mainly be kids, otherwise I would call it "operating") on the system at the same time.

From the thread it seems that I may be able to have 4 trains running (all my trains are "new" and I presume have the 6090x chip) with a starter set's mobile, and maybe 5 if I buy the mobile controller one sold separtely.

So when the new control center comes out will this limit also be constrained by the mobile or will the new control center over-ride that constraint? I ask as much for curiousity although given the price of this hobby I do not want to get locked into a system that I cab not expand without another large wad of money.

And the ugly box (is it the unit that connects the controller to the track, that is ugly) what is it and its role? I saw mention in other threads but I did not understand and there were no catalog numbers or pictures to help me.

It seems that there are many changes coming with the central station, and then there is the question about how IB will react. I do like the idea of harnessing all the new features of mfx, especially sound.

John


The Mobile station is rather limited; intentionally; Märklin does not earn that money on that unit. Still, two can be connect to the track box for playing with two persons. It's true that with the separately sold unit you will probably be able to have more trains running simultaneously than you will be able to handle. The real limit in your case will probably be that you can only use two controllers.

The "Ugly box" role is limited; it's a convenient place to connect transformer and controller(s), including a rectifier, and mainly doint conversion of the kind of connectors used.

With the central unit things will be different. The Mobile Station will be input units only, and power limits will be set by the Central Station. And the Central Station will allow for boosters in the way the 6021 have it, so there will be no real limit. And I think more than 2 MobStats may be connected as well.

As John Black mentions the IB as beeing to complicated for children...
Misleading IMHO, as the IB supports LocoNet were nice controllers like Daisy may be connected. And if adults can control them, children can Smile

Regards,
Lars
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Offline Seetal  
#19 Posted : 16 November 2004 03:45:20(UTC)
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Seetal


Joined: 12/11/2004(UTC)
Posts: 548
Location: Maryland, USA
Thanks for all the feedback. I now have a much clearer picture of the capabilities of the mobile stations & that has definately helped me clarify my thinking.

And by the way Lars, I really agree with the statement that if adults can control them then children can...a shame it isn't true the other way round

John
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Offline Charlie  
#20 Posted : 16 November 2004 04:25:26(UTC)
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Charlie


Joined: 15/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 707
Location: Texas, USA
About that ugly box, if you don't like it, I think you could just mount it on the edge underneath your layout, and use a simple feeder wire from the track piece to your track.
www.ajckids.com
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