Hello
I am in the process of setup my layout.
I am using K-track, I'll be operating it digitally using the ESU Ecos 50200 and RocRail.
I would like to provide the power to the electrical switches from an old analog transformer.
At first I will control the switches with the blue control boxes 7072 and then later have the software control the switches via decoders.

My question is;
is it possible to have the Ecos power connect to the track O + B to run the trains, and use an old Marklin transformer to power the switches via the yellow and brown outputs?
I am concerned because some of the switches have lights in them, so these switches with lights will be getting the O (brown wire) from the track power (i.e. the Ecos) but the yellow will come from the old transformer.
Will this cause a short circuit or fry up some components?

If this is not the way to hook it up, is there a way?

Thanks for any help.
Kai


And Happy Canadian Thanksgivings

Edited by user 05 December 2021 05:47:41(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hi!
That's no problem. Just make a common ground between the 0 output of the ECoS and the 0 output (brown) from your analogue transformer.
Make sure that yellow or red from the transformer never touch the red B output of the ECoS.
Some folks say you must not do it, but even some Märklin manuals show to do it because it is the only way to use certain analogue devices with a digital controller.

Hi
Normally a derailment has no consequences on an ECOS or a CS2 or CS3 because of short-circuit detection.
I say normally because in some rare cases, if the unit is already damaged, a derailment may quicken its end of life.
Cheers
Jean

Thanks guys for your replies.

If I understand it correctly as long as my ECOS is working fine then a derailment should not be an issue because of the internal short circuit protection.

Tom you mentioned just make a common ground. Could you elaborate on that for me please. I assume that I should use the ground "O" from the ECOS and not the analog transformer?
Or do I connect both grounds "O"s from both the ECOS and the analog transformer together, then this becomes a common ground?
Plug this ground into the control box and then use the yellow from the analog transformer to connect to the yellow wires from the switches,
even the ones with lights in them.
Is this all correct?
Tom do you have any of those Marklin wiring diagrams that you mentioned, that relate to my situation?

Jean, so if I understand you correctly, since there is not much power usage from the engines themselves, I could use the digital "O and B" from the ECOS, I should connect the "B" to the yellow wires from the switches and the "O" to the blue control box, correct?
The fact that it is a digital power source does not cause a problem for the switches?
And maybe the safest because I'm only using the one power system, ECOS?

Thanks again.
Kai

Here's a diagram of what you should do - we presume you want to use the older 7272 switch buttons to switch your solenoid devices.

The 0 and B connections from the Ecos go to the track as shown in the diagram.

Some say so, some say so.
It can be done as shown by BigDaddyNZ. So there is less load on the ECoS, leaving more power for digital locos.

Hi Bigdaddynz.
This is great exactly what I was looking for.

Maybe a dumb question;
I noticed that one "O" (brown wire) from the analog transformer connects with the Ecos track power, and the other "O" goes to the distribution bus.
To make a common ground, do the brown wires "O" need to connect internally in the analog transformer (by plugging the two wires into the back of the transformer as in your diagram) due to whatever reason.
Or just as long as the Ecos and analog transformer "O" (brown wires) connect somewhere, i.e. the distribution bus, as in the drawing I modified, will that make a common ground?


Thanks for your quick reply,
Kai

Hi Goofy
Right now while I'm testing the layout setup I have the trains running digitally but do not have any of the switches connected to decoders. I want to test all the tracks to make sure that there are no dead spots and to ensure that there are no derailments on the switches. So the simplest way that I see was to control the switches manually.

Can you clarify please;
You do use two power supplies, one for the digital system (running of the trains in my case) and an analog transformer for the turnouts/switches,
however you do NOT connect a common ground?
Could you explain or give a diagram on how you do connect the power to both.

Cheers,
Kai

No!



Yes!

Thanks Jean.
I don't know the difference between the two types of transformers that you mentioned and would not know what to look for, however I'm assuming that the old Marklin transformers are of the regular transformers (floating secondary voltage) type.

And point two, ALWAYS be very careful with the red "B" output of the analog transformer.

I was able to wire up the Ecos for the track power and an analog transformer for the switches this afternoon, and it was a success.

Thanks for your input.
Kai

Hi Bigdaddynz.
Good to know about this option.

With your info and helpful diagram that you posted, I was able to wire up the Ecos for the track power and an analog transformer for the switches this afternoon, and it worked perfectly.
Nothing got fired and no smoke.

This forum is a great place to get tips and get answers to questions we may have about our hobby from those that have figured it out already.
Why reinvent the wheel?

Thanks to everyone for your input and help.
Have a wonderful day,
Kai

Thanks Tom.