If my aging memory is correct, the early versions of digital locos, roughly the 3600 series, could be run on the old blue box transformers. Is this correct? If so, what later digital units will run on the old blue monster?

Reason for asking is shortly I'll have a herd of locos and sets going up for sale and I'll have my warehouse in Maryland test all locos before shipment. He's an avid Marklin fan but has only the old style locos with one early digital unit.

Ausland

The collection is in US, Maryland. I'm a bit of a long drive from there, plus nothing is moving from here to there so I can't get there until this virus mess is cured in US. Here in this little harbor town, it is cured.

Since I've been out of the loop for some years, as in 15, what is this white transformer and will it test out all analog and digital locos?

Thank you for your assistance. I will have my warehouse lad obtain one. The later locos, here's a partial list. Is there a particular setting on the digital module for 'analogue mode'?

37551 KPEV G8.1 NiB

37803 DB V200 diesel NiB

37882 Kl. Br. 043 DB Dig/Sound NiB

39552 Kl. 57 DB Dig/Sound NiB

37915 Insider Klasse 03.10 DB NiB

37964 Klasse Gt. K.Bay NiB(?)

37970 NYC 2-8-2 MIKADO NiB

37957 Kl. 03, DB, NiB

37971 K. Bay BVI 2-4-0 NiB

37974 Kl. B V1 K. Bay Digital NiB.

37988 Kl. 038 (ex P8) DB NiB

2 x 39160 Franco Costi, BR42, grey, digital

OK, now we're talking. My worker (and long time very good friend) is far more update with electronics and such than I am. This system will test out all digital from 3600 and up?

As an aside, that list is a partial list.

All digital locomotives can be run on analog transformers.
Older analog transformers (blue with metal shells) are not recommended for digital locomotives equipped with FX, MFX or OEM ESU decoders (2001-2005) and subsequent in-house Maerklin decoders.
There are two reasons for this. 1) The mains voltage in many countries changed and standards changed, which means that the pulse used to invert the direction of operation of Maerklin locomotives may now exceed the recommended voltage for digital operation. The newer digital decoders could either translate the signal as being told to go into programming mode, which would cause a stop of the locomotive and a potential accident on the tracks or 2) it could feasibly burn out the decoder.
These transformers can be identified by their metal housings and the knob which was also a push button for the inversion pulse. The design enabled the user to initiate a reverse pulse while the throttle was open.
Blue transformers from the late 1970s on are still relatively safe to use. These can be identified by a plastic housing and the knob which required the throttle to be set to zero before a pulse could be initiated by moving the throttle to the left of zero. These transformers may or may not have circuit breakers for short circuits, which temporarily cut off the power.
The current analog transformers have a white housing, different design plugs (for wires not for plugs) and different voltage capacities. These transformers have cut offs in case of short circuits, which can prevent damage.

Before using any transformer with Maerklin, you should check the voltage in the tracks to ensure that the range is 0-18VAC and the reverse pulse is at or below 23VAC.

Anything higher than 23CAV can damage the decoders.

I would recommend the purchase of a white 664X transformer for use.

Regards

Mike C

'mike c' and 'HO'

Thank you both for two very informative posts, you have answered my questions perfectly. I will have my warehouse in US find the later 'white' 664X transformer and nose around for a digital control, before I start selling these locos I want them tested to make sure they run as expected. My warehouse boss is well capable of performing this task.

Once I've got the testing deal up and rolling, the units will be offered first to forum members, I'd rather see them go to those who love Marklin (and Trix and Roco) rather than sell them on fleabay. Prices will be quite reasonable, you can rest assured. Shipping will be US and Canada only for the time being, and NZ Post forwarding in California (does Oz have a similar US based forwarding facility for parcels?). Shipping anywhere else is problematic at this time, witness a parcel I sent from Moskau in early August finally appearing in Chicago on 02 September and there it sits to this day, although ChiTown Post says 'parcel is in process of being dispatched to local post of the recipient'.

Kindest regards
Ausland

I ship back and forth often. Normally everything from Europe/Russia goes through New York facility, but on the other hand most mail and parcels from the aforementioned flies 'space available' on passenger airliners. With hardly anything flying now, there is little 'space available'. What is odd is the parcel went to Chicago, which means it probably went on a commercial cargo plane. Still and all, the parcel will eventually get to my warehouse in Maryland and another parcel will start it's trek today. We've got 4 machines in warehouse and enough parts to make two more. If Chicago gets off their duff and moves that parcel, that will give us 9 in stock. This will hold us for a while, considering the state of the economy in US of the moment.

Kindest regards
Ausland