I would like to set up functions in cars such as:
- direction dependant lights on cab control cars
- internal lighting on/off
I would like to do this both on Marklin and non marklin (I have a Fleishmann cab-control car for the SBB Zurich Nahverkher).
So I should equip myself with
- pick up shoes (believe 73406 is what Marklin suggests for some, have also 7021)
- lighting kits (will check which ones apply to the different models)
- current conducting couplers (do those 72020 work well? I am thinking of using a few to power some Roco Italian DC locomotives where I do not have space for the pick-up shoe .. put the shoe on the first car and run a wire through two CC couplers should work).
- and.. my question here is about the decoder. I have found two in Marklin programme: 60960 and 60961

Can you help me?
- differences between the two.. which is more recommended for my use
- any other decoder maker compatible with my system
- interferences with CS (I found another thread talking about this
https://www.marklin-user...3&SearchTerms=60960)
- other itmes to consider. I found also this thread https://www.marklin-user...38&SearchTerms=60960 dealing with different current conducting couplers etc.

I guess however that switching lights on and off going through the decoder may exceed the power allowed unless you use the new LED type lights. Am I correct in my understanding?

In one of the threads there is mention of using the loco decoder and connect it thourgh current conducting arms to the cars for their functions (lights, marker lights etc.). I am somewhat reluctant to do this, maybe it's better to dedicate a decoder in a car and separate pick-up shoe. After all, I just want maybe two-three trains lighted, that's all.

Thanks for your help guys.

Pal, any suggestion about the type? I guess I could buy it on-line here in the States..but I am an electronic beginner..thanks

Uhlenbrock has a nice (and cheap, about 20 euros) Motorola decoder to control functions. Art.no. 76 900. My personal favourite actually for its price, size and features.

Sander. I see Uhlenbrock also have a 73900 decoder which is smaller and although now as powerful perhaps enough to light three coaches. More expensive but has a short circuit protector. Would this not be better than the 76900?

David

One particular issue: if you want to digitalize Märklin Cab conntrol cars, there is a problem: the diodes have commont cathode, which makes both Märklin and Uhlenbrock decoders hard to use. In fact I don't know any Motorola capable decoder you can use without extra electronics.

But if you have a multiprotocol central (Motorola+DCC) I sincerely recommed Lenz LF100XF or LF101XF; it has a very smart feature of beeing prepared for 2R cab control cars, and also allows for controlling the Märklin cars with just a few extra diodes.

Cheers,
Lars

Hello Mario,
you also asked offline some questions.

First you have to tell
- Is DCC an option for you? If you run Intellibox, Daisy or ECoS it is, if 6021, CS, Mobstat it isn't, and Lenz could be ignored.
- What cab control car do we speak about? Or merely, does it have LEDs that shift in colour (yello-red) when direction changes, or are there distinct red leds, and white/yellow ones? My "Silberlinge" are of the former type, where I recommended Lenz.

And, about diodes. Not difficult, you should only have diodes that can take some (but not much) power; others may correct me but I would guess any that is intended for rectifieing. The switch speed doesn't matter.

Releays should be mono stable,
be light driven, so that the decoder could handle them, and usually should have a "protection diode", that is, a diode is connected in parallel with the relay, and direction so that current may flow from the commont function wire to the specific f1, f2 or whatever.

Regards,
Lars