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Offline petestra  
#1 Posted : 29 November 2016 12:43:29(UTC)
petestra

United States   
Joined: 27/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 5,824
Location: Leesburg,VA.USA
Hi Friends. The Märklin Digital Facebook page has been quite helpful to me lately. I told them how I operate my mid-sized layout

with 2x MS2s and that signals/switches are controlled to a separate analog transformer. Yesterday they advised me to separate the

brown wires that control train track from the accessories grounds. I wanted to hear your thoughts on this too?

Peter Cool

Edited by user 29 November 2016 16:38:44(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Offline H0  
#2 Posted : 29 November 2016 13:06:41(UTC)
H0


Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,254
Location: DE-NW
Hi, Peter!
Originally Posted by: petestra Go to Quoted Post
I wanted to hear your thoughts on this too?
Can be separated for turnouts and signals, but for (some) level crossings you need a common ground.
Such a separation is simple for C track (even when using circuit tracks), but complicated for M track.

Theoretically that separation is not needed. Practically it may have some advantages. At least until you install a level crossing.

What was the question? What was the answer?
Do you have any problems?
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
UserPostedImage
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Offline petestra  
#3 Posted : 29 November 2016 13:22:00(UTC)
petestra

United States   
Joined: 27/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 5,824
Location: Leesburg,VA.USA
Hi Tom. Thanks for your informative reply as usual. I had asked them that if I wanted to get the new CS3 would I have to convert

my Märklin wires 7101 etc to the thicker gauge wires for train running? They had told me that I could still use M wires and there was no need

for the thicker gauge ones. That's when they told me about the brown ground separation. I am still "on the fence" about getting the CS3. I may

just keep using the 2x MS2s. Cheers,Peter Cool


PS - I don't have a level crossing.
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#4 Posted : 29 November 2016 13:54:39(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,666
Location: Hybrid Home
Originally Posted by: petestra Go to Quoted Post
PS - I don't have a level crossing.
But you could.
petestra2016levelcrossing.png
:o)
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Offline Torstein  
#5 Posted : 29 November 2016 14:01:33(UTC)
Torstein

Norway   
Joined: 27/03/2010(UTC)
Posts: 338
Location: Norway
Hi Peter.

Strange ?? Central station 3 must be connected to DC current, is this the reason for separate ground?

My CS2 get DC but I have no problems with 6 AC trafo and common ground with track.

Or is this answer only for prevent something? (Marklin plug and play)

Torstein RollEyes
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Offline RayF  
#6 Posted : 29 November 2016 14:22:34(UTC)
RayF

Gibraltar   
Joined: 14/03/2005(UTC)
Posts: 15,838
Location: Gibraltar, Europe
I'm afraid I can't see why "they" would recommend separating the ground wires. I can't think of a technical reason for it.
Ray
Mostly Marklin.Selection of different eras and European railways
Small C track layout, control by MS2, 100+ trains but run 4-5 at a time.
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Offline petestra  
#7 Posted : 29 November 2016 14:51:35(UTC)
petestra

United States   
Joined: 27/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 5,824
Location: Leesburg,VA.USA
Originally Posted by: RayF Go to Quoted Post
I'm afraid I can't see why "they" would recommend separating the ground wires. I can't think of a technical reason for it.


That's what I thought, Ray. If you are on Facebook you may wish to follow the conversation On those Marklin Digital pages. I don't think I will bother

since I've been digital 3 years now and there have been no problems. Cheers, Peter Cool
Offline petestra  
#8 Posted : 29 November 2016 14:53:32(UTC)
petestra

United States   
Joined: 27/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 5,824
Location: Leesburg,VA.USA
Originally Posted by: Torstein Go to Quoted Post
Hi Peter.

Strange ?? Central station 3 must be connected to DC current, is this the reason for separate ground?

My CS2 get DC but I have no problems with 6 AC trafo and common ground with track.

Or is this answer only for prevent something? (Marklin plug and play)

Torstein RollEyes


Thanks, Torstein. They didn't give a reason. Peter Cool
Offline petestra  
#9 Posted : 29 November 2016 14:57:15(UTC)
petestra

United States   
Joined: 27/07/2009(UTC)
Posts: 5,824
Location: Leesburg,VA.USA
Here is the conversation on Marklin Digital Facebook pages. Peter


more comment

Marklin Digital Hello Peter! Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
The voltage output from the MS2 power supply is essentially the same output requirement from the CS3. Therefore, it is not necessary to change out your track wires to an thicket gauge.

The question of booster needs is dependent upon load of the system. How may trains are running concurrently? How many lights are using track power? How many feed wires are wired to layout? All of these questions can sway the answer.

The size of your layout can certainly be operated without a booster no problem. If you start to detect digital control errors, then you can try another track feed first. If the error is consistent around track, then you may consider a booster.

If you need any further explanation, please let us know.
Unlike · Reply · 2 · November 23 at 5:15pm · Edited


Peter Nicholas Fragasso Thanks. All accessories are wired to separate transformers so a CS3 to run 8 trains should be ok. I don't always run 8 at once, that's just the max.
Like · Reply · November 23 at 6:23pm


Marklin Digital Yes, your setup should be ok. I would recommend if you are using a common ground for accessories, you should separate the grounds, if possible.
Unlike · Reply · 1 · 18 hrs


Peter Nicholas Fragasso Marklin Digital OK, good to know but why is that? So you mean to separate the ground for trains from the grounds for accessories?
Like · Reply · 17 hrs · Edited

Edited by user 29 November 2016 21:43:53(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

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Offline Torstein  
#10 Posted : 29 November 2016 15:24:38(UTC)
Torstein

Norway   
Joined: 27/03/2010(UTC)
Posts: 338
Location: Norway
Peter, keep us update if you get any answer.
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