Hi, all, I have a question regarding the various motors that are in the Marklin engines, in particular, the high efficiency motor, this is a magnet armature with a 5-pole rotor, correct? This is different from the earlier motors that have an electromagnet and a 3-pole rotor, is the 5-pole a better motor? Also, the C-sine motor, how does that differ from the 5-pole, and is it a better motor as well. And, for me, many newer engines are coming with "can" motors, what are these, and how do they compare with the other motors (as far as I can see, the can motors are sealed and require no maintenance, but otherwise?) How do these motors rate to each other? Thanks!

Yes,
for the first decades of my lifetime there where only 2 different types of Märklin-motoros - small and large. We call them SFCM and LFCM; Small Flat Commutator Motor and Large. LFCM fitted in larger wehicles, draw more current and was more powerful. They where both 3 pole with electromagnetic field coil. The field coil could be replaced by a permanent magnet that is still available, called HAMO, as it was used in Märklins DC series of locos. I doubt these types are present in new locos, certainly not in new toolings, but they have remained in old toolings for a long time after. I think I bought one 10 years ago.
Then came DCM, Drum Commutator, where the brushes don't stick axially but radially. This was also 3 pole, I think this is what TimR thinks of as "late 80s". There was also a 5 pole analog motor at this time or earlier, that I think should be regarded as dead end, possibly with the loco number 35xx.

The "hight efficiency motors" 37xxx and c90, had the same measures as DCM, and could replace such a loco. Could/Can, still available to some extent. It containted a strong permanent magnet, a suitable reliable decoder, and a 5 pole motor. IMHO, the first two components are more important then the latter.

The CAN motors, IMHO are mainly used in models development at other places than Göppingen; at Trix or at special models not developed by Märklin themselves. Possibly also as experiments. There are also "special motors" in a few very small models, and another creme a la creme - motor: the bell armature / Faulhaber type /Coreless ones, a bit expensive.

It's very true that the decoder is more important that the motor; it may be able to compensate for bad behaviour of the motor. The motor choice of course is important for noise, power consumtion and such.
I personally avoid locos that don't have speed regulation; field coils is also avoided (and not very present at new models). 37xxx, 39xxx are secure, and the 26xxx sets. Delta is avoided (if you can afford), but not without exception. There are good Deltas as well. C-sine I guess is good; I only have one, a SDS with very good running characteristics, little noise etc. mfx is a little shaky, but I think the initial problems may have been overcome by now; they were sensitive to dirt on track, bad M-tracks etc.

/Lars

This is fantastic info, thanks all for this, it clears alot for me a MARKLIN beginner!

Often you can tell the decoder type from the article number (ref. number) - there are some exceptions like 30000 (Delta or fx decoder (PIC)) or 37724 (6090x fx decoder, later mfx decoder) or 37652 (6090x fx decoder, later PIC fx decoder).

37xx locos have the 6090 decoder.
36xx locos should have the 6080 decoder.
37xxx locos normally have the 6090x decoder, but some have the 6090 decoder.

I have a 3 pole motor with HAMO magnet and ESU decoder - and the loco does a very good job at slow speeds.

3 pole motors in analog, Delta, or 6080 locos really behave badly.

Gkar, it is not quite correct to say the 3 pole motors cannot work with digital decoders. The ESU decoders can work with a conventional AC motor, but you do not get any load regulation with that setup. By changing the AC coil for a HAMO permanent magnet you get the benefit of load regulation. This is by far the simplest conversion, as not as many parts need to be changed as for the 5 pole upgrade. I know RayPayas, h-Zero and others use this configuration, and it can be useful where an older model will not take a full 5 pole upgrade.

Other types of decoders that can work with AC motors includes the PD101:- http://www.pd101.com/e/pages/index.asp

I guess I really didn't specify, when I said I liked the Flat commutator, but I think out of my 100+ locos, mor ethan 50% are 3 pole flats, have not been converted to digital and I operate them (when I atually operate at all) I run them conventionally. Whether the 3 poles can be made to operate digitally isn't really a point here, as I think the 3 poles work fine for toys which is what they are. But technologically I like the C-sine, I like to stay open to technology but stay dirmly grounded in tradition.

There is one minor piece of advice I feel I can add. The motor plate, brushes and its state of repair make a difference to the running of a digital conversion. Cleaning and new brushes go without saying but, I find it is important to ensure that the brushes sit well on the commutator, eg at 90 degrees and with little "play " within the brass container . If this is attended to well, it can maximise the smoothness of running and allow the decoder to do its job of regulation well. Check the condition of the motor plate well don't assume that a brand new one will be fine. It seems to be a weak point of Marklin as to the set up of anew plate. I find most need a little attention before they will give their best even new ones!