Joined: 13/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: Madison, WI
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Hello everyone, I am a new member and just got back into model railroading a few months ago and chose Marklin for baseline for their quality and wide range of products. I have upgraded some older models from Marklin using mLD, mSD3 and mLD3 and high efficiency motors. I am using CS2 for programming the decoders and got the hang of it somewhat, thanks in large part to this forum. I also did use some ESU lokpilot V4 M4 to have comparison. I must state that ESU manuals are much more extensive than Marklin relating to programming the decoders (but ESU is not perfect - example in manual relating to automatic decoupling states that CV pushing/removing time is in seconds and it definitely is not) Anyways, I have 2 questions at this time: 1) Marklin in their included flyer (manual) with mLD and mSD3 relates to go to their website for "full CV table". The closest I find is german language only: https://www.maerklin.de/...mLD-mSD_CV-Liste_DCC.pdfis there an English version or translation? 2. Do any Marklin decoders or new locos have the automatic decoupling option possibe - by this I mean pushing/activating telex function and then pulling away with one button press? Thanks for any directions... I am considering getting the marklin decoder programmer but I read of non existent english manual and also I am not sure if it will work with ESU 21 pin decoders well...
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,463 Location: DE-NW
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Hi! Originally Posted by: mackoscout  I am considering getting the marklin decoder programmer but I read of non existent english manual and also I am not sure if it will work with ESU 21 pin decoders well... The Märklin decoder programmer probably will not do anything with ESU decoders. The ESU LokProgrammer is of little use for Märklin decoders. When it comes to transferring sounds and firmware to a decoder, they all use proprietary standards. The PDF file you linked to is incomplete and German. And I think it's the best source of information you can find. You don't need this CV list when programming the decoders with a CS2 - the UI of the CS2 should cover all those options. |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
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Joined: 12/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 2,448 Location: Wellington, New_Zealand
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Originally Posted by: mackoscout  2. Do any Marklin decoders or new locos have the automatic decoupling option possible - by this I mean pushing/activating telex function and then pulling away with one button press?
This is the example (lightly) referenced when the mxD/3 decoders hit the street. (I have heard the term "coupler dance" used) You can set up a function to chain/sequence a number of inherent function. There are also 4 timers that you may configure within the decoder and use these to delay the aspect of ... - stopping (time delay) - telex on - reversing (assuming your telex is not direction dependent) - moving a bit (time delay) -<take tension off drawbar - reversing - pulling away (time delay) -<prevent re-coupling - telex off ... So yes the decoder is "capable" of doing this, (I have yet to here of any locos that comes with this pre-configured) However the implementation that Marklin impose is unnecessarily convoluted. The promotional video that shows , what is implied to be the mDT/3, with a screen with a graphic sequence of firebox, whistle, etc . is a figment of someones imagination that has yet to get into the tool yet. |
Peter
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Joined: 13/11/2015(UTC) Posts: 5 Location: Madison, WI
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Thank you for the fast responses. I guess I should start learning German ;)
I played with the Marklin decoder programming software last night and besides being probably faster with loading sound projects I was not impressed with the functionality and lack of english instructions - even lack of translating some basic parameter words in english program version. It does look like an "early beta version". Hope they improve it in the not too distant future.
I will just stick with updating through CS2.
As for decoders I guess ESU has a place especially in shunting functionality - but they could make the decoder programming more "user friendly" .
Thanks for the information and I am sure to be back on the forum with other questions in the future.
Maciej
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Joined: 12/12/2005(UTC) Posts: 2,448 Location: Wellington, New_Zealand
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Originally Posted by: mackoscout  It does look like an "early beta version". Oh no , not early.... 3.1.1 is just the "latest" beta, the one before it was worse ... it didn't work Quote:Hope they improve it in the not too distant future. Hope? It is true that there are some functions of the tool that cannot be fully used (tested) until a controller comes out that supports them (relates to >16 function support) So maybe there is another release (version) of the tool pending that includes bug fixes for those issues, at the same time as the controller(s) are able to use them do. |
Peter
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,509 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: mackoscout  Thank you for the fast responses. I guess I should start learning German ;)
If you have an electronic copy of the document than copy and paste into Google Translate usually makes a pretty good first pass job of translating, such that you get the sense of what is being said. You can then translate all the document using several copy and paste operations, copying the translation into a new document that you can then save. Occasionally there is a word that won't translate, but ask here and someone will help.
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Joined: 23/07/2014(UTC) Posts: 8,509 Location: ENGLAND, Didcot
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Originally Posted by: mackoscout  As for decoders I guess ESU has a place especially in shunting functionality - but they could make the decoder programming more "user friendly" .
The ESU decoders have over a 1000 CVs to set them up they are so flexible. You need to use the ESU Lokprogrammer or the JMRI program. Also ask on the Loksound Yahoo group where there is a bunch of very knowledgeable guys who have learnt these decoders inside out with help from ESU USA. One of them has written the ESU programming code for JMRI.
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Joined: 14/12/2002(UTC) Posts: 800 Location: Newcastle NSW Australia
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The Locosound yahoo group is one essential group to belong to . Sometimes there is a lot of bluster from some northern America members about that strange 2 rail stuff not working the proper way but still worthwhile to read as they sometimes bring up some interesting point such as locomotives running down hill but still getting sounds of power being applied . The same applies to us with "M" sounds but I have never seen any mention to this problem on here . Lately there has been discussion regarding Dynamic braking of engines when going down hill & the associated noise but still having to power the engines in model mode . Matt at ESU in Nth America is very knowledgeable along with Dave Head In Oz with a few others spread worldwide . Check it out , heaps to look at & unravelling ESU items. Cheers Tom in Oz https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/loksound/info
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