Hi Chris,

yes this is the CS2. You will probably not need to update a 60215 until a new software update is announced. I doubt these will have another SW than the current state, but even if that should be the case update is simple, especially if you have it connected to an internet connection.

There is no power supply shipped together with the CS2, you will have to buy the stabilized power supply to power it up. I don't have the item # for the 110 V unit.

Actually I don't think so - I think this one "needs" the stabilized voltage power supply...

For the 60213 the old power supplies work, however there was somthing concerning the common ground of sections powered from different boosters (and in this case the CS2 counts as 1 booster) which required the DC power supply (stabilized power supply). 60215 I think is designed for this only, and 60214 are available in 2 versions - the later one dealing with the common ground issue. Don't have all this confirmed though (yet) - but I have to check what's possible to do (or not) with my 60213.

The alternative option I can see - is that all versions of the CS2 (60213/4/5) accepts both types of power supplies - yet common grounding of sections powered by different boosters requires units powered by stabilized power, and boosters must be 60174. In this case also 60213 and early 60214 needs ground separation (as well as 60173 booster). 60214 units allowing this common ground should be specifically labeled.

Chris,

Here is some discussion about the 60215.

https://www.marklin-user..._postst18024_CS2-v3.aspx


Look at post 56 for mention of the new symbol added to later 60214 CS2.

Sicherheitstransformator - kurzschlussfest. Ausgangsspannung bis höchstens 50 Volt

Safety transformer - short circuit proof. Output voltage up to a maximum of 50 volts


http://www.stummiforum.d...opic.php?f=5&t=57096


http://www.code-knacker.de/elektro.htm


r/Thomas

Chris,

I would stay away from the CS1 60212, unless it's free. The 60214 would be more than adequate for your sized layout. How will you operate the turnouts, manual, or with a CS?

Because the newer SMP supplies are not available in 120V, you would want at minimum the 60055 60VA transformer. I would stay away from older style transformers like the 6646 or 6001 range.

The CS2 is like any PC, there will be software updates at intervals, and you can always update when you wish.

As for the ECoS it could be the older 50000 or newer 50200 color screen, it is perfectly compatible with Marklin.

You could ask river6109 (John) what he thinks of his. See his review here:

https://www.marklin-user...mmand-Station-50200.aspx


r/Thomas

Chris,

with the 60055 you would need the 120722 cable. Look at post # 14 for a picture.

https://www.marklin-user...ormer--Is-this-safe.aspx



https://www.marklin-user...-power-supply--SMPS.aspx




In terms of price. Currently the price from ETS website. Eisenbahn-Treffpunkt SCHWEICKHARDT

http://www.modelleisenba...com/listen/liste.php?h=1

M 60214 537,00 Euros (No VAT)
M 60055 67,00 Euros (No VAT)
M 120722 11,22 Euros (No VAT)




ECoS 50200 includes separate power supply and cable - inclusive price

http://www.modelleisenba...m/listen/liste.php?h=334


50200 504,00 Euros (No VAT)




r/Thomas

You can also check with Wolfgang at http://www.eisenbahnclinic.com/

He is in Hollister and is an ESU dealer.

If you are an ETE member you get a discount.

Hello Chris, All,
Pardon a newbe member for butting in, The Ecos does not actually have a built in power supply but it has one in the box it's shipped with. It is a switched mode power supply that has an adjustable output voltage but it is ready to plug and play giving you 90va ( Vs Marklin 60215 with new Switched mode power supply delivering a claimed 100va ). The only draw back with the Ecos is that it may not be able to fully "infiltrate" those new Marklin decoders and mess with them, that wouldn't worry me as you can do enough for pleasureable MRR fine tuning.
Being in the USA I would suggest you check out a few local dealers before looking overseas, but if you do, I would suggest buying from Lokshop Ek as they are overall the best people to deal with in all respects. ETS treat you like a Mushroom and have rubbish packaging such that items arrive damaged, or at least the item's Brand packaging is damaged, often quite badly. That said if your in Stuttgart or anywhere in Wurttemburg, ETS is the best store to visit, ( The Waiblingen one ) and you can buy and have it shipped home minus VAT (Mwst), but when your there demand that they pay attention to the packaging of your shipment. All this from personal experience gentlemen members.
In the USA for ESU product, AJC Kids website is worth a close look and yes definitely a check out. Also RJF Trains and also Woolfgang at;http://www.eisenbahnclinic.com/ because he is a Markllin Service agent, and ESU Sales and service agent and has a heap of technical knowledge and repair expertise if you need help.
If you going to buy a new Marklin CS, go for broke and buy the 60215 CS2 with a switched mode power supply M60101 = 100va output, however it ( the sales blurb ) says input should be 230 volts 50 hertz. Some parts of the US I understand have this, rather than just 110 volts, but the nature of a switched mode power supply, as I understand it, is that it will accept a big range or input voltages eg the Ecos one 100-240 volts input, which brings us back to the Ecos being ready to go in the USA with no hesitation and a Locolist situation where you can have up to 10 locos instantly ready for call up on screen at any one time and quickly switch between them to adjust speed and direction and operate functions. That said Radio Shack and other have step up transformers that boost the wall current, 110 volts up to 230 volts
How do I know all this, well, being the currently satisfied owner, but not without trial and tribulations I must admit, of CS1 (60212) reloaded V 3.03, the only Manual for reference I've found is the new Ecos one, every on screen feature is the same except that the colour screen and the throttle arrangement is different. If I sound like an ESU fan well I am reservedly, as I still can't forgive them totally for the situation orchestrated by them that we have two Marklin CS' and their Ecos, even tho it is nice to have a choice, and competition allways improves a brand if it doesn't go broke first !!
So Chris good luck with your Controller selection, read what you see on this forum and take the bits you want and mull it over and hopefully come up with a descision your happy with.
One last thing. My friend and list member DrWhittle has just sent his second replacement CS2 back to Marklin and is awaiting shipment of a third which they promise will be a 60215, he expects a bit of a wait !
I cannot promise an Ecos will be 100% reialble either, but it also has a warranty, as we/the manufacturers are breaking a bit of new ground, and who ever had a perfectly reliable computer anyway cause thats what they are,(with about the same computing power as a smart phone), compared to the good ol 6021 ( I have one of those too, lost in a cupboard somewhere. That said you will really enjoy your trains with a CS or Ecos and what you can do with it., Beware it/they may cause you to invest in full Digital control of your layout, just for the fun of it
I do not have any financial interest in the businesses I have refered too, but with Lokshop (execellent),. RJF Trains (good) and ETS (not so good), personal buying experience. Aw gee I've wandered a bit off topic -- again sorry guys

Edited by moderator 19 March 2011 02:32:34(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Chris,

If you just want to be able to control more than 10 locos, you might think of getting two MS2's (and the necessary connection box 60113, I think). The total cost should be <$300. As I understand it, the units function independently so two MS2's give you a 20 loco capacity (22 locos with a loco card in each).

I considered this but decided to get an ECoS 2 as I wanted wireless radio capability as well as the other features it comes with. (As you probably know, there is now an iThingy app that enables a suitable iThingy to function as a wireless controller for the CS2 so wireless is also possible with the CS2.) I just received the ECoS 2 and, so far, am very happy with it - in particular, the unexpected (by me) ability to have ten locos immediately accessible on the "cab window". Switching between locos is almost instantaneous.

Dan

Juhan,

Isn't there an "i" app that works for the CS2? It was described in the last Digital Newsletter as well as various posts in the forum.

I'm not presently considering Touchcab for my ECoS 2 because I don't have any iThingy's (or a wireless router near my layout). In fact, I just received the ECoS Control Radio today and will set it up shortly.

Dan

Hi Glen, yes those words are from this thread. See your post of the 19th March - I have highlighted them for you.

I'm still not sure what controller I will use on my layout. I do want to have a remote controller to the main one, that is why I have left my CS1 at v2.0.4, which means it can work as a remote controller to the CS2. I brought Nev's Ecos 1 so that I could have a controller with the latest ESU software, without having to update my CS1.

However, with the newly announced Loconet adapter for the Ecos, that would most likely give you the option of being able to link 2 Ecos together via Loconet, thereby being able to use 2 controllers on the layout. It also gives an Ecos access to the Lissy train detection systems, as well as the IB modular Switchboard technology. If that works, that would give me a reason to update my CS1. The CS2 would then be a bit of an orphan!

Decisions, decisions!

Hello: Please I need to know if I own the central station 60215, I still need the booster 60174.
I'm sorry about mi English, Regards,
Carlos

Hi Carlos,

Welcome to the forum.

Cheers

Renato

Hi Carlos, and welcome to the forum, your English is quite OK
You can run trains with the CS 60215 without a 60174 booster, but you should have a 60065 (120volt) Switched mode power supply for it.
As explained earlier, a booster is only needed if you have a larger layout and run a lot of trains (more than 5 let's say) and especially if coaches have lights, but you should only use a 60174 these days as it is the newer one, and you will need another 60065 for that also.

References are made earlier in this thread to, the now late, Woolfgang Lietenberger of Eisenbahn Clinic. He was an advocate for using a booster with all CS's for track power.
The reason being that they take the spike of a short circuit, and hence the software of your Controller is protected from those evil nasties that as documented else where in this forum, particularly in CS2 threads, that can scramble your personal settings, and worse

So when my layout is up and running, I will be having all track power going thru boosters, and only the decoders for Switches and Signals, will be connected to the CS track power output as advised by Woolfgang.
When you think about it, this makes very good practical sense as it allows control of other areas, not the least being Switches and signals, when any given booster area is shut off, and a change in the switch or point settings may well be necessary to prevent a reoccurance of the short circuit caused by a derailment (just one, but a common example )

'Tis what I've done with my layout - 2 60174 boosters with no track feed from the CS2. I'm using 2 ESU 90va power supplies with the boosters, but will have to get some 60100's eventually.

As for ETS, I must admit that it is a few years since I purchased from them, so their packaging standards may have deteriorated since then.

The description in the product database contains some copy'n'paste errors (still refers to 60215 where it should be 60174).
The 60174 is equivalent to the internal booster of the 60215 - up to 5 A with the 60101.

http://archiv.maerklin.d...Logo=1&fromSLIMSITE=

I have always had good service from Lokshop, since I started using them about 15 years ago. Originally they were a bit slow to answer straight queries, or to update on order status, but they now have an automated status update that occurs on a regular basis, as well as when the status of any items on order changes or a new order is submitted. Roland Baer has been very helpful in correspondence I have had with him, and I consider myself a very satisfied customer of them.