Hi Serge,

The Marklin 60901 kit is now long out of production, and uses an old decoder, with DIP switches and pots on the board for address selection and adjustments. Though it is an excellent decoder it falls short of the latest standards. From Marklin you can use one of these options:

60760 set - very cost effective but with a more basic decoder

60941 kit with 60942 decoder - the closest to the ESU set, with 21 MTC board, but with the benefit of a 5 pole motor upgrade

60941 kit with 60962 decoder - similar to the previous option but with a hardwired decoder instead of the 21 MTC board

The ESU 54633 kit is much more up to date than the 60901 set, with a 21 MTC connector board so you can use the plug-in decoder supplied. It is, however, the wrong set for your locos. You should use the 54635 set which has the correct field magnet. The ESU sets have a superior Lokpilot decoder, but don't include a 5 pole motor upgrade.

The ESU 54632 set is like the 54635 but with the decoder hardwired instead of with the 21 MTC board.

I'm sorry if I've now confused you even more. There are so many options, including mixing the ESU decoder with the Marklin motor kits!

Have a look at prices if that's important for you. For me the performance is not such an issue, and I tend to use the Marklin 60760 kits or the ESU 54632 set for this type of loco conversion.

Such gracious locos !!
From another era !!

I would use a 60760 decoder for a simple conversion without sound.
But watch out for the trick of the electronics and the diodes !
If you have not done this before, then you need to get some guidance on AC/DC current.

Regards,
John

We're not talking about particularly old or valuable locos here. I don't think the resale value will be very much affected by a digital conversion.

Anyway, Ian, a loco converted with a 60760 will still run just as well on analogue. In fact it will run better, with better low speed control and no "kangaroo jump" when reversed!

OK, you can take the flak jacket off now!

Serge,

If you join Ian's path, I've got some good news, with an ESU sound decoder you can run your loco under Analog aswell with full sound option.


Here is my answer, say no more.

John

Hi Ray,

On this one, we will have to agree to disagree....

Ian.

Ray

Well, Well, I just have to make the tunnel air tight and sound proof to suit members from Gibraltar.
It has had a brick wall but having worked in this area for severeal reasons the brick has has somewhat dissapeared, I'll just have to take the castle off again and reconstruct the brick wall.[biggrin
With nearly 20.000 viewers and 3 dissapointments it isn't a bad result.
You always can stick your fingers into your ears when the loco goes into the tunnel.

the whole video was about the BR 41 and what can be done if you are thinking of converting it to digital.

John

Serge,

We can probably assist you with your conversion, but it would be very useful if you could possibly open up the chassis and take a close-up picture of the 3-pole armature.

Then we can assess whether you have a flat style commutator or a drum style commutator.
It is important to know this before you go too far in your conversion.

Alternately, can you possibly date the locomotives from your catalogues ?
This could also assist us in this deliberation.

Regards,
John

OK, thanks John.

Actually I have a 3085 myself, and I'd checked up on the 3082, so I knew that they had DCM motors. Now I see that your comment about diodes refers to making an AC field magnet work for DC. This is actually not necessary in this conversion, and you can use the magnet, armature and brush plate contained in the kit.

The only concern in fitting the motor parts, as I recall, is that you have to remember to mount the brush plate upside down, otherwise it fouls the body when you put it back on.

That would be great, John. Thanks.

Nevermind. The supplier called Marklin and confirmed that you were right, I was right: 60941.