1. The 5211 comes with a small accessory packet that contains fixing screws, coloured plugs, and a couple of what look like resistors attached to wires. The latter are not mentioned in the instructions. What are they, and what are they for?
2. I'm going to use the 5211 with Maerklin electric turnout mechanisms. The latter have three leads (yellow, orange, and black) which terminate in a small triple-female-socket connector. I suppose this is designed to plug directly into a matching connector on the Maerklin m83 decoder or a Maerklin switch box. What is the procedure for wiring the turnouts to the 5211? Do you just cut off the supplied triple connector, fit the coloured plugs to the stripped wire-ends, and plug into the appropriate 5211 sockets, or is there some better way of doing this?
Thanks.

Hi Jabez,

If you are a building a permanent layout I would suggest to upgrade the wiring slightly.

I solder a slightly higher wire gauge onto the Marklin turnout wiring which is very thin and fragile. If using the Brawa plug you would notice that the small screw is all that secure the wiring inside the plug, so having a slightly higher wire gauge will ensure a better and more solid connection inside the plug.

You will also find that the Marklin turnout wiring is not very long so rarely will you be able to have enough length to be able to connect 4 turnouts to one decoder anyway.

If buying wires, don't buy the expensive Marklin/Brawa product. Instead go to your local hobby electronic store and you buy them cheaply per meters. Then also get some heat shrink tubing (very cheap and you can get in all the colors you need). You don't need a special tool to heat the tubing but you can use the heat from the soldering iron to shrink the tubing.

For fixing the decoder to your baseboard framing I use some double sided Velcro tape. You can then easily remove the decoder if needed.

I believe the resistor is used when powering minitrix turnout (see the manual). I have never used them.

Brgds Lasse

Yes, see this page to select the items you want.

Thank you and all the others for your informative comments. I particularly note the preference for older style Maerklin plugs, and Tex's defence of the Viessmann plug design. Looking for dropped plug screws on the floor after you have lost your 20/20 eagle vision, if you ever had it, is a task to be avoided.
Regarding the resistors, On your suggestion I looked at the Trix section of the instructions, which I had ignored before, and of course their use was explained there along with a bloody circuit diagram. Duh.

If you want Marklin-style plugs and sockets at a good price, I can recommend Ebay seller modellbahnartikel-de. Apart from lots of rolling stock (where in my opinion I think he is a bit on the pricy-side), he sells lots of useful electrical accessories very reasonably including Marklin plugs and sockets in the full range of colours at Euro 1.85 for 10 (worldwide postage extra). I have used him a lot and he provides a prompt and reliable service.

/

Robert and Dale

My experience with the Viessmann plugs has been very good and I have never had them lose contact. Perhaps the wire you use is too fine. The photo below shows eight Viessmann plugs next to eight older style Marklin plugs.

Tex