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Offline JD3  
#1 Posted : 01 June 2018 21:46:25(UTC)
JD3

United States   
Joined: 01/06/2018(UTC)
Posts: 8
Location: Texas, McKinney
I have a Class 50 Z-scale steam loco from the Marklin US starter set - 81865. I would like to utilize the DH05C-3 decoder for this conversion since another member of this forum stated that he had done that.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of conversion (or a web link on how to perform such an upgrade??

My other locomotives are all Marklin electric class and I am planning to use the Velmo "drop-in" decoders for those (on order right now) - but the Class 50 is such a nice locomotive I would love to have it converted as well.

I plan to use all these with a Marklin Mobile Station 2 that I already have.

I appreciate anyone's help who has relevant experience or advice.

Many Thanks... John

Edited by user 02 June 2018 01:40:12(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Offline Wal  
#2 Posted : 02 June 2018 13:23:03(UTC)
Wal

Australia   
Joined: 07/09/2012(UTC)
Posts: 67
Location: Sydney
John,

I use the Velmo drop in decoders with great success. I also use the MS2. I don't have any steam locos because I don't want to go down the soldering path. Things are small enough as it is, so sorry I can't help there.

I removed all the capacitors on the feeder tracks as recommended by Claudius. He also has other power recommendations on his web site.

Cheers,

Wal
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Offline JD3  
#3 Posted : 02 June 2018 23:34:01(UTC)
JD3

United States   
Joined: 01/06/2018(UTC)
Posts: 8
Location: Texas, McKinney
Hi -

Further research makes me think for the Class 50 DCC conversion that I could use the Digitrax DZ126T decoder, cheaper, and easier to get here in the US.

I would like to find an example where anyone has converted this locomotive online.

John

Offline AmalfiCoast  
#4 Posted : 03 June 2018 02:14:36(UTC)
AmalfiCoast

United States   
Joined: 04/11/2016(UTC)
Posts: 153
Location: Maryland, South Laurel
I run z-scale as well as HO. What are some advantages to converting z-scale to digital? Is sound a possibility?

Thanks,
David
Offline JD3  
#5 Posted : 03 June 2018 05:34:44(UTC)
JD3

United States   
Joined: 01/06/2018(UTC)
Posts: 8
Location: Texas, McKinney
Sound is a possibility, I know the Velmo decoders fit Marklin Z locomotives and supported sound.

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Offline Wal  
#6 Posted : 03 June 2018 13:30:17(UTC)
Wal

Australia   
Joined: 07/09/2012(UTC)
Posts: 67
Location: Sydney
David,

Some other advantages of Digital in Z,

Generally smoother running at VERY low speeds.
Able to run 2 or more locos on the same section of track independently and at different speeds.
Can turn lights on or off, including carriage lighting.
Multi heading of a consist (I've had 3 ludmillas pulling over 20 ore wagons) up 2% curved grades


Cheers,

Wal
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Offline JD3  
#7 Posted : 05 June 2018 23:06:41(UTC)
JD3

United States   
Joined: 01/06/2018(UTC)
Posts: 8
Location: Texas, McKinney
Hi All -

Back on my original topic - does anyone have any experience with a Digital conversion of the Marklin 8154 locomotive?

That's the stand-alone Marklin Z model number of the Class 50 locomotive I am hoping to convert.

Also, does anyone have any links to examples of conversion of a Marklin Z steam locomotive to Digital using a wired decoder?

I searched on YouTube but didn't find anything for Z, just larger scales. Before I "hack into" my loco I would like to see how someone else did it.

Many thanks,

John
Offline Crazy Harry  
#8 Posted : 05 June 2018 23:51:53(UTC)
Crazy Harry

Canada   
Joined: 18/11/2008(UTC)
Posts: 475
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Not the locomotive you want to convert, but here are some difficult (in my opinion) examples.

Conversion of a BR74 Tank Engine: Digitalization of Maerklin Miniclub 8895

Conversion of a Krokodil: Digitalization of Maerklin Miniclub 8856

The above videos may help. He uses the Doehler & Haas decoders.

Found another with a Lenz decoder, but this seems to require more surgery: Digitalization of a Miniclub Pacific. I guess its more difficult since he wants to keep the decoder in the boiler.

Harold.

Edited by user 06 June 2018 03:23:38(UTC)  | Reason: added video of Pacific conversion

Offline Carim  
#9 Posted : 06 June 2018 12:00:37(UTC)
Carim

United Kingdom   
Joined: 15/09/2014(UTC)
Posts: 649
Location: London
John,

There is a chap called Florian on Youtube who has done this conversion - search under his user name "Bahn Flo". He posts in the Stummis Modellbahnforum under the name "Sturmi84" and from that you can get his contact details - perhaps he can give you some help (but I don't know if he speaks English). Alternatively, you could always post your question on Stummis (some people do post in English) and see if you get a reply.

Carim
Offline JD3  
#10 Posted : 10 November 2022 17:24:33(UTC)
JD3

United States   
Joined: 01/06/2018(UTC)
Posts: 8
Location: Texas, McKinney
OK - 4 years later - I found a good YouTube video that discusses adding a decoder to a Marklin Z steam engine:



My train stuff is in storage right now, but early next year I plan to get it back out and try this conversion to my Class 50 steam loco.

I'll post when I get it working in 2023 !

John


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