Joined: 12/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 112
Location: Spontin,
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Hi there,
With one F7 fixed and another on the way (not counting various other machines that I'll have to fix later) I'm now looking at my turnouts. They're all equipped with solenoids and seem in working conditions.
I'd like to use single under-track decoders for each turnout since the layout is everything but permanent a this stage. Apparently this means Marklin k73 / 6073 decoders...
Question, though, where to buy them (or similar decoders) nowadays, as they seem not to be available from M* anymore ?
EDIT : Bogobit.de says Viessman 5231 are similar... But I see at lokshop.de that those are supposed to be used with C-track... Has anybody got any experience using them with M-track turnouts ? What about crossing-turnouts, will they fit ?
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 Joined: 08/01/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,218 Location: Shady Shores, TX - USA
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DT
Now powered by ECoS II unit#2, RocRail
era - some time in the future when the space time continuum is disrupted and ICE 3 Trains run on the same rails as the Adler and BR18's. |
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Joined: 12/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 112
Location: Spontin,
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Nope... k83 is the small decoder box placed under the layout for controlling 4 turnouts. I'm lookint into decoders that integrate under the turnout railbed (possible with M-track and C-track) because as I said the layout is small and not permanent.
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 Joined: 04/06/2002(UTC) Posts: 754 Location: Täby
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You can use a 74460 decoder. It is designed for C-track, but is probably not so difficult to modify. There is a red and a brown wire with connectors for the C-track and a 3-pole connector for the turnout motor. If you solder the red & brown to your M-track and the connect the 3 wires from the turnout motor to the 3 wires from the decoder it works just like the old k73.
By the way there is a very favourably priced bundle with a decoder + turnout motor. Not such a big surprise that the parts from these bundles can be found on ebay... |
K-G / H0 and Z model train user |
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 Joined: 19/03/2004(UTC) Posts: 976 Location: Gorizia, Italy
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You must isolate the 74460 decoder to prevent damages caused by contact to the metal track (it is design to be put in the plastic roadbed of the C tracks.
Renato
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Joined: 12/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 112
Location: Spontin,
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So I take it that the decoder specs for M-Track anc C-Track are similar (i.e. same operation of solenoids, thus no significant difference in decoder output).
And therefore only the electric isolation of decoder from metalic trackbed has to be taken care of when using these newer decoders from Marklin or Viessman.
Thanks for the M reference, will be useful if I cannot find the Viessman one.
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 Joined: 21/01/2004(UTC) Posts: 1,274
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Frankly I wouldnt bother with M-track anymore, especially for a non permanent layout. If you setup your layout a few times half of the tracks will be bend (like in my case ;) ). Buy some C-track, add some decoders and solenoids and be happy  Bert
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Joined: 12/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 112
Location: Spontin,
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Hi there,
Well I have quite a lot of M-track, including solenoid-equipped turnouts. And I like re-using old stuff for various reasons (not that much for money saving, but mostly because of nostalgia and environmental issues).
Anyway, I'll try the Viessman decoder in my M-tracks. Of course, if/when I move to C-track I'll just re-use these decoders in the new turnouts.
Thanks for the advises anyway.
Jerome
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Joined: 21/01/2004(UTC) Posts: 1,274
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Quote:[size=1" face="Verdana" id="quote]quote:Originally posted by Katchina
.. and environmental issues ...
If my trains have bad contact or derail that is also not good for my environment  .
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Joined: 18/01/2006(UTC)
Posts: 119
Location: Sydney, Australia
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Jerome Hi .. I am also an M track carpetbahn user (3 generations of Marklin means we have over 120 meters of track .. all working).. I did look at the same idea as you but the cost of K73 decoders (when they were available) made this idea somewhat expensive. The solution I implemented was to purchase the 60401 kit (keyboard with 4 x K83 decoders) .. I use half M track straights where I have installed power and earth outlets from the track to plug the K83 into and then can operate 4 turnouts in groups around the layout .. works just fine .. An alternative I ran into while looking into this is Dr Konigs site .. http://home.arcor.de/dr....nig/digital/ehomepag.htmAt the bottom of this page you will find instructions (for each M turnout its own decoder) on how to build your own K73 decoders (if you are electronicly inclined) .. was too complex for me Cheers Sprogger
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Joined: 12/06/2007(UTC)
Posts: 112
Location: Spontin,
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I have successfully installed a Viessman 5231 into an old M-track turnout. I'll post a picture ASAP. It is DCC-controlled through my IntelliBox, although it also works with Motorola format if required. My vendor asked about EUR 30 for this decoder, but I see lokshop.de has them for about EUR 15 so I'll order half a dozen of these quite soon. Yes it is more expensive than using k83 or similar modules, but having a self-controlled turnout allows for much easier layout re-arrangement
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