Hi!
I think so.

The power cable has four pins, the CS2 uses two pins for AC and two pins for DC.
I assume the CS3 only allows DC and the two pins previously used for AC are hopefully not connected and your transformer won't do any harm. But the CS3 will probably stay "all black" and it's time to get a DC power pack.

Hi,



to be clear: The CS3 does not support the old transformers like 60052 and requires a 60061/60065 power supply. Note: It is possible to connect a 60052 transformer to the CS3, but the CS3 won't get power due to the pins used. Don't try anything diy with the cable!!!

Unfortunately you have to buy a 60061/60065 power supply.

Kind regards
Jörg

Thanks.

Had a comment from the marklin distributor in NZ (and an excellent technician) that a new power pack was not necessary to run the CS3 and that my 60052 powering my CS2 will be OK.

Regards Bruce (confused somewhat!)

I agree - none of the CS2 controllers or the CS3 should ever be powered by anything but a switched mode power pack - even if the pin out would happen to accomodate it. You would not plug your new PC into your old Märklin transformer I assume. It would be equally wrong to connect your new train computer to the wrong power supply.

240 volts.



Dion is an electrical engineer by trade, so if he is saying this I suspect he would have tried it.

Since he is a forum member, he might elaborate if he sees this thread.

Well, you can find any number of websites that say one thing or another in regards to mains voltage.

This one says 240v - https://www.enz.org/electrical-equipment.html

A quick measurement with a multimeter measures 235.5v, so right in the middle of the 230-240v range.

Well, it is up to you, if you believe a trader more, who only is selling the products of this producer, than the producer himself. This producer has not only developed his technical products, he also has such a confidence in his products, that by himself defined circumstances, he warrent you a 5 year long guarantee! The trader does it not.

You must not be confused, you only have to do a decision. For this decision many memebers from this community here have given you a lot of arguments, against one distributor.

My statement is based on own experience and underpinned by various documents by Märklin (the manual, CS3 book, Märklin Magazine) as well as some comments at Stummi, so I am happy to bet a bottle of champagne on it. The CS3 screen just will be black due to missing power. As outlined by Clapcott a booster or a CS2 connected to the CS3 might use a transformer but the CS3 itself can not run with a transformer.

kind regards
Jörg

Perhaps an other reason to take a closer look at the ESU eCos system, Price of their new central station includes the power supply.
Just my two cents worth.

The ECoS always came with a power supply.
Wide input range (100 through 240 V) and variable output voltage for N gauge through I gauge.

The ECoS comes with an adjustable power supply and you can set the threshold for the internal booster somewhere in the software.

My "ECoS" 60212 is capable of 4 A output current, but I set the threshold to 2 A for increased safety.
Nice feature the CS2/CS3 don't have.

Hi Mark
The restrictions of using a 100 W power supply are:
- the legal consequences for Märklin to have a fire caused by the use of thin cables as they were a few years back
- the consequences on signal switches (sized to 2 Amps) on a power limited to 5 Amps
- the difficulties for a much larger number of locos (+66% more) to MFX register. The signal is weaker when shared with other sources (locos). This proves not to be a problem. Simply present each new loco to the programming track for registration.

All this is theoritical. Why?
- no one is shocked when the ECOS from ESU delivers 150W (quite a lot of current)
- I use a 60101 Märklin power supply since 2012 and I never have suffered an induced failure because of this.

Attention: Voltage needs to remain 18 to 18.5 VDC so please don't use the LGB power supply.
Cheers
Jean

Thank Jean and David for the feedback,

David, I am planning to run more locos and accessories so I am just anticipating a need. I will test and then determine. But for now in my planning there is a toss up between setting up a booster and upgrading to Marklin 60195. (100W) I currently only have a 6017 booster which is not compatible. So yes, the question is one of safety to any equipment.

So Jean, what kind of wire size/gauge do you recommend larger than 20 gauge/0.5mm.
Do you have any link or reference to the fire problem a few years back; was it an isolated case?

As for signals, I am planning to use m83 for as many accessories as I can; and I have the supplementary power supplies that work specifically with the m83s. I have yet to try out the supplementary power supply in order to see what the differences are, so bare with me, these thoughts are untested so far.

....Which is why if I used the 100w 19V supply for some accessories, I am curious about why in cases there might be damage to a 2A rated signal with a 5A supply if there is an automatic cut-out of m/s (time) when using signals etc. For context, my plan is for my signals to work cosmetically in synch with what happens in Rocrail, so it would simply be using the lights or semaphores themselves; as opposed to have the signals carry the burden of cutting off power to an isolated section of rails.

Also curious what kind of difficulties some have had with registering larger numbers locos. As you indicated yourself, I too would likely continue to register and test them all on a programming track anyway to avoid any complications as I have usually done with my temporary layouts.

So said, I would still consider using the 60195 100W, but it would be good if we write up a guide with caveats about how it could/should be used; starting with best wire gauge larger than 20 / 0.5mm (see below), then programming track etc.

Marklin clearly does not give any specific recommendation for 1/87, but I see no concrete reason why not to use it yet. I hope I am not foolishly stubborn instead of creatively bending the rules.

As for caveats, Marklin.com says:
"The 60101 switched mode power pack is designed for use only indoors. The cross section of the wire from the Central Station to the track must be at least 0.5 square millimeters / approximately 0.0008 square inches or 20 gauge!
Recommended only for 1 Gauge and LGB."

For the 60195 there is no indoor/outdoor warning.
Its smaller and black and has the same 19V 100W output as the 60101.
"The cross section of the wire from the Central Station to the track must be at least 0.5 square millimeters / approximately 0.0008 square inches or 20 gauge!
Recommended only for 1 Gauge and LGB."

As for LGB, that would be unfortunate not to be able to use a power supply outdoors, but that is a completely different issue.

Thanks again,
Mark

Hi Mark,



you can use the bigger 100W power supply, BUT you should still select the 60W power supply in the settings of the CS3! The selection of a power supply in the CS3 (and CS2!) is driving the behaviour of the CS3 in case of a shortage. Too much power on the track in case of a shortage can damage your rolling stock and can cause fire!

By the way: 60W is absolute sufficient for H0.

• How many locomotives are you running at the same time?

• How many waggons do have light?

• How big is your layout in sqm?

kind regards
Jörg