 Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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I recently bought one Marklin Digital starter set with the objective of developing it into a nice layout with all the bells and whistles of automated signalling, turnouts, etc. However, I soon realised, trying to install a light in one of the passanger cars that:-
confusion on the different types of decoders for locos, passanger cars, turnouts, signalls, etc. I found very little explanation on Marklin site in english or and compatibility of decoders from other sources like esu, Lenz, etc.
The relatively high cost of these decoders.
is it possible to solder components for a decoder. I am good at doing such electronic projects? If so, resources on DIY kits will be welcome.
Guatam |
Gautam
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 1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 12/01/2003(UTC)
Posts: 2,528
Location: Groton, Connecticut
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Can't help you with your question, there are many who can though, but welcome to the forum.
Ira |
Building German Era I-II layout(Mk IIIc).  |
1 user liked this useful post by HueyCE
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Joined: 28/04/2003(UTC)
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Location: Wawa, Ontario
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When it comes to using decoders in locomotives and possibly railcars, your best bet is to buy a ready made decoder. If you are wanting to save some money on the overall cost of the building of a layout then you could possibly build your own feedback modules,boosters and accessory decoders or purchase them as kits and assemble them yourself. The following is a selection of manufacturers that offer kits for various parts of the digital control. http://www.ldt-infocenter.comhttp://www.conrad.comhttp://www.viessmann-modell.comhttp://home.planet.nl/~boe03727/wtechn5.htmlhttp://www.digital-bahn.de/eigenbau.htmhttp://users.pandora.be/deloofBefore building or ordering kits you should first ask yourself which direction you want to go with the digital control. With the Marklin Systems and other central control systems expected to come on to the market shortly which allows for bidirectional communication between the control unit and the locomotives, boosters which are available on the market right now as kits do not allow for bidirectional communication. When choosing a decoder for a locomotive or out right purchasing locomotives, one thing to keep in mind is that the mfx protocol decoders seems to not run as smooth when controlled by a central unit which only handles 14 speed steps as opposed to a decoder which was specifically designed for a central unit with only handles 14 speed steps. I am hoping that this will change in the future. Bottom line is that decoders from various manufacturers will perform differently depending on what the protocol is available on the rails and what protocols the central unit is capable of transmitting.
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1 user liked this useful post by Maxi
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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Thanks Maxk for the links as well as your advice which is very valuable. I understand the Marklin system has different Motorola formats, Which digital format is the latest Central Station (60212) and the mobile station (60652) |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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 Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,466 Location: Scotland
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For lighting cars why not take the power from the decoder in the loco via current connecting couplers.
Saves buying an extra decoder and no need for another slider on the track.
David |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
1 user liked this useful post by David Dewar
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Joined: 29/08/2003(UTC)
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by biswasg
<br />Thanks Maxk for the links as well as your advice which is very valuable. I understand the Marklin system has different Motorola formats, Which digital format is the latest Central Station (60212) and the mobile station (60652)
Marklin systems is mfx, motorola new and old. This is one protocol. Marklin digital is motorola new and old. |
M-track with a CS2. |
1 user liked this useful post by Davy
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Joined: 19/10/2001(UTC)
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote: Originally posted by Davy<br /> Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by biswasg
<br />Thanks Maxk for the links as well as your advice which is very valuable. I understand the Marklin system has different Motorola formats, Which digital format is the latest Central Station (60212) and the mobile station (60652)
Marklin systems is mfx, motorola new and old. This is one protocol. Marklin digital is motorola new and old. Disaggree, sorry. Motorola is one protocol, mfx is another. Motorola protocol has an extended version ('new'). And Märklin/systems uses a combination of mfx and Motorola. Märklin digital uses Motorola. Back to the question: I also suggest buying ready made deocoders for the locos, and DIY for other items. /Lars
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1 user liked this useful post by Lars Westerlind
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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David,
Your suggestion of using connecting couplers for linking the loco's power to light the passenger car was my original coice too. But when I went to the local model railroad store, he said that was not possible with the Marklin conducting couplers as some soldering has to be done in the loco. So I installed an independent light mechanism with another pickup in the car. But would really try to link it somehow wiht the locos decoder, will save me the cost of decoder as well as the light in the car will switch on and off with the light switching through the mobile control. |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 31/07/2005(UTC)
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1 user liked this useful post by Doodlebug
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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Thanks Mikko for sending the link. Was very informative. However, in the option of using the 60960 in the wagon, I believe the diagram indicates the 60960 placed in the wagon as opposed to using the decoder in the digital loco for switching the lights on and off in the wagon. My digital set has two mfx locos. Can I use the decoder of the loco to switch the lights in the passenger wagons using a conducting coupling to power the lights? A schema will be very helpful. |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 29/08/2003(UTC)
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M-track with a CS2. |
1 user liked this useful post by Davy
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 Joined: 03/01/2003(UTC) Posts: 5,193 Location: Southern New Jersey, USA
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Yes you can. I am in the process of doing just that. I have three trains already converted. You must include a relay in the engine which is switched by the decoder. The decoder cannot handle more than two or three bulbs by itself. |
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1 user liked this useful post by rschaffr
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Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,466 Location: Scotland
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Quote:Originally posted by biswasg
<br />David,
Your suggestion of using connecting couplers for linking the loco's power to light the passenger car was my original coice too. But when I went to the local model railroad store, he said that was not possible with the Marklin conducting couplers as some soldering has to be done in the loco. So I installed an independent light mechanism with another pickup in the car. But would really try to link it somehow wiht the locos decoder, will save me the cost of decoder as well as the light in the car will switch on and off with the light switching through the mobile control.
/...............................................................
It does require two wires to be soldered but this is not difficult (If I can do it anyone can) I would not use Marklin couplers but try Viesmann which are easy to fit and can also be uncoupled easlily.
If I remember rightly Ron also lights his coaches and has tried various current conducting couplers.
I have yet to hear from anybody who has used the Marklin couplers with success.
In its simplist form the coaches will be permanently lit
David |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
1 user liked this useful post by David Dewar
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Joined: 03/01/2003(UTC) Posts: 5,193 Location: Southern New Jersey, USA
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I have two trains converted with the Viessmann couplers. I really like them, but the main drawback is that they do not interface with Marklin couplers, so I either have to convert ALL my rolling stock and loks or dedicate the converted trains to never be mixed with other stock or loks. I now am using the RTS couplers which do connect with all Marklin ones. They are a little stiffer than the Viessmann, but loosen up with use. They also only carry one circuit, so I have to ground the coaches through the wheels, which adds a little drag, but not much. All in all, I think I will continue with the RTS ones. |
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1 user liked this useful post by rschaffr
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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Dear Davy and Lars, This is the real confusion I have figuring our mfx, motorola protocol, etc. Difference between Marklin Delta and Digital. More than definitions, what is of practical concern is compatiility between the control unit, the decoder and the Loco motor, presuming all run on 3-track AC. Can you guide to any link where all these are adequately explained for a novice. I have read the digital corner of this website. |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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Reading more on the basics of Digital Command Control, I need help on some clarifications with regard to the Marklin Digital System with te Mobile Station. In my Marklin starting system, I have a-Transformer, a hand held mobile station, a connecting track where the input of the mobile station and the transformer are plugged in. What are the equivalents of 1) Command Station; 2) Trottle; 3) Booster; of a standard DCC system in my Marklin system?
The second question is why I can not control (if I would so wish) the DCC turnouts with the mobile station, as I understand from the Marklin website control of DCC turnouts and signals is only possible with the Central Station. |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 29/08/2003(UTC)
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Location: Netherlands
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The CS doesnot understand DCC. That is one sure thing.
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M-track with a CS2. |
1 user liked this useful post by Davy
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Joined: 25/07/2001(UTC)
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The Central Station from the 80:s-early 90:s can be called "the mother of DCC", it uses the same basic command format(language), developed by Lenz, that later became the NMRA DCC - with added extensions. The Märklin/Motorola and mfx have a different command format(language). If the langauge is not the same, units will not understand eachother... Try telling a guy who only understands Japanese something in French - will not work so well...
The Mobile Station is all 3 in 1 unit. |
Juhan - "Webmaster", at your service...
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. [Old Chinese Proverb] |
1 user liked this useful post by Webmaster
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 Joined: 10/07/2002(UTC) Posts: 3,298 Location: Patagonia
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Hi Gautam, welcome to the forum, you cannot control any kind of turnout with the mobile station, only trains, and only 10.
The mobile station is the throttle, booster and command station, but a little one. Designed i think to be more than a handheld for the central station that a control unit itself.
To have the capability of running trains and therefore be included on starter set is just to make you taste a little of new mfx and make you go for the central station, good marketing if you ask me, it is surely working for me!!!! |
 German trains era I-II and selected III, era depends on the mood, mostly Maerklin but i can be heretic if needed XD, heresy is no longer an issue.. LOL |
1 user liked this useful post by franciscohg
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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Thanks to all on the clarifications. As the CS is the real thing, can a computer PC, I prefer a Mac be substituted? I believe that should be the case, if so what is the interface and where does it connect into the circuit? |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 19/10/2001(UTC)
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Location: Lindome, Sweden
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by biswasg
<br />Reading more on the basics of Digital Command Control, I need help on some clarifications with regard to the Marklin Digital System with te Mobile Station. In my Marklin starting system, I have a-Transformer, a hand held mobile station, a connecting track where the input of the mobile station and the transformer are plugged in. What are the equivalents of 1) Command Station; 2) Trottle; 3) Booster; of a standard DCC system in my Marklin system?
The second question is why I can not control (if I would so wish) the DCC turnouts with the mobile station, as I understand from the Marklin website control of DCC turnouts and signals is only possible with the Central Station.
Hello Guatam, all digital systems can be described as having the components you mention, and some more. However, the Mobile Station includes all three: Command station, throttle and booster. The connection box only has a rectifier for incomming power, and a connection point for all cables. When two Mobile Stations are connected together, one is the master and has all three tasks, and the other is a slave, where only the trottle part is active. Lets look at the track signal. It carries power, and one or several protocols in mix. The pure protocols are DCC, Motorola, mfx, and minor as FMZ, Selectrix... DCC and Motorola have variations internally as well. Several command station allow for sedning mixes: Märklin 6021 and others: Motorola only. Märklin Mobile Station + CS: Motorola+mfx Uhlenbrock Intellibox: Motorola+DCC+Selectrix Uhlenbrock Daisy: Motorola+DCC Fleischmann Twin Center: DCC+FMZ+Selectrix Trix/systems: DCC+Selectrix and others. It's also very common for decoders to understand at least two languages, as Motorola+DCC (several, called Digital2 by Uhlenbrock/Viessmann...) Motorola+mfx (all Märklin mfx locos) DCC+Selectrix (some Trix) DCC+FMZ (Fleischmann Twin) /Lars
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1 user liked this useful post by Lars Westerlind
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Joined: 31/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 234 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
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Lars,
Thanks for the precise information I was seeking. |
Gautam
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1 user liked this useful post by biswasg
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Joined: 28/04/2003(UTC)
Posts: 757
Location: Wawa, Ontario
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by biswasg
<br />Thanks to all on the clarifications. As the CS is the real thing, can a computer PC, I prefer a Mac be substituted? I believe that should be the case, if so what is the interface and where does it connect into the circuit?
The latest Marklin CS is still in the early stages and more pieces to the puzzel is still yet to come. Sometime down the road I am sure that a selection of software and electronic modules will be available both commercially and from hobbiest to allow controlling of the various parts of the CS equipment or to allow bypassing the CS station all together and allow the user free reign on how to design the command center to their liking. But for now it is a waiting, learning and for the ambitious trial and error stage.
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1 user liked this useful post by Maxi
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