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Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#1 Posted : 13 February 2018 20:39:59(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Hi all,

In light of an ECOS failure, I've decided to switch over to my carpetbahn MS2 controllers in order to run my small layout. I have a 60 watt trafo, which meets up with a pair of 60653 MSII's at a 60113 connecting box. While this of course "works", it seems like a very underwhelming solution to put all that power and control through two tiny wires to the track!

Is there a better/high rating way to do this? Or a creative solution? I have a small layout but I still need more than one feeder with to power it! I know Marklin want to push you towards a CS3 but this seems even limiting on a carpetbahn that needs more than one feeder....

And while we are at it, does the MSII software need periodic updating? I'd assume so, and is there a way to do it without a CS? (web/computer perhaps?)


Photo here:

controls.jpg

Thoughts?
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Offline dominator  
#2 Posted : 13 February 2018 20:55:22(UTC)
dominator

New Zealand   
Joined: 20/01/2015(UTC)
Posts: 1,195
Location: Kerikeri
You say you have a small layout. Why would you need a booster. They say those MS2's will run up to 6 loco's. I have 2 MS2's as well, just so that i dont have to loose a loco every time I turn them off. I have three separate loops so I can run the controllers independently, but I can run the whole layout from one controller. My layout isn't that big, 14'x4'.
I also wondered about the smallness of those wires when I first got an MS2.
I have three times as many analogue locos as digital so I have the best of both worlds. I am not a digital genius though, rather the opposite so someone with more knowledge than me may enhance my comments here.

Dereck
Northland. NZ REMEMBER 0228 for ä
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Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#3 Posted : 13 February 2018 21:24:47(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Originally Posted by: dominator Go to Quoted Post
You say you have a small layout. Why would you need a booster. They say those MS2's will run up to 6 loco's. I have 2 MS2's as well, just so that i dont have to loose a loco every time I turn them off. I have three separate loops so I can run the controllers independently, but I can run the whole layout from one controller. My layout isn't that big, 14'x4'.
I also wondered about the smallness of those wires when I first got an MS2.
I have three times as many analogue locos as digital so I have the best of both worlds. I am not a digital genius though, rather the opposite so someone with more knowledge than me may enhance my comments here.

Dereck


I don't need a booster, amperage should be fine. But I feel do need more than 1 ~20 gauge feeder for 4x7 feet with 3 trains running and another few parked, most of which are lit with functions. Those two wires might work, but I seriously doubt reliability.

Plan B is make a junction box for feeders, but the whole system still just seems flimsy to me?
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#4 Posted : 13 February 2018 21:34:14(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,666
Location: Hybrid Home
My former Humbug-Dummtor layout - which had a similar track arrangement (and track length) - was powered via a 60VA transformer and two MS2s. I used these flimsy feeder cables connected to feeder points every two or three meters of track. At that time I had five large digital locos, a couple of solenoids and a limited number of light signals. That worked flawlessly, but note that my coaches had no interior lighting.
Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#5 Posted : 13 February 2018 21:42:49(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
Originally Posted by: Alsterstreek Go to Quoted Post
My former Humbug-Dummtor layout - which had a similar track arrangement (and track length) - was powered via a 60VA transformer and two MS2s. I used these flimsy feeder cables connected to feeder points every two or three meters of track. At that time I had five large digital locos, a couple of solenoids and a limited number of light signals. That worked flawlessly, but note that my coaches had no interior lighting.


Thanks! How did you connect all those feeders into the 60113?
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Offline 5HorizonsRR  
#6 Posted : 13 February 2018 22:50:17(UTC)
5HorizonsRR

United States   
Joined: 05/12/2004(UTC)
Posts: 2,863
Location: CA, USA
An update, my patience got the better of me and I took apart the 60113. I then de-soldered the the original feeder cables, and I replaced them with the fattest pair of wires I could smash/solder in there (I think they are 16 awg). I now feel a bit better about the box and resistance, and have put those two feeders to a pair of 7209 distribution strips for testing.

We should be in (temporary) business. - updates will follow in the layout thread:

https://www.marklin-user...t-Project-In--4-x-7-Feet
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Offline Alsterstreek  
#7 Posted : 13 February 2018 23:30:58(UTC)
Alsterstreek

Germany   
Joined: 16/11/2011(UTC)
Posts: 5,666
Location: Hybrid Home
Originally Posted by: 5HorizonsRR Go to Quoted Post
Thanks! How did you connect all those feeders into the 60113?
The lazy way: Not into the box, but to the ends of the cables emanating from the box.

(I understand that meanwhile you did it the hard way by opening the box.)

:o)
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