What causes the MS2 to go into stop mode on its own? I have a 26507 SBahn push pull set that will trigger stop mode every 30secs. None of my other trains do this. It works fine in Delta or straight AC mode. I know it's not overloading the track box because the current draw for the whole set is around 0.5A running. The cars are lit with bulbs not LEDs. I don't even have to be running it, just sitting on the track is enough. Is there something with the pickup shoe changeover?

It acts like some sort of software drama vs a true mechanical or electrical issue. The set runs great, when it runs.

Marklin manuals are less than helpful explaining what can trigger stop mode like this.

I'm 100% sure it's not a short. Reasons: I checked the cars individually - all fine, there is not excessive current draw, and it doesn't make the normal "shorting" sound where you can hear the digital protcol making noise. Also, nothing else on the tracks acts up like when something is shorting (headlights going dark for example).

The loco does this without the cars too. I refuse to believe the decoder is bad, because the engine works FINE in analog, or delta modes. It runs great in digital too, when it isn't doing this.

What makes the MS2 go into "stop" on its own? Interference? Feedback? Overloading?

cool to the touch just sitting there. very slightly warm after some running, like the motor itself.

How can I check this? I only have MS2 and MS2 WLAN models. No computer or Central Station.

So I checked, it is 1.62 like was mentioned. I think this is expected considering I bought it a week ago.

I had 2 older delta loks with smoke generators both running at the same time. No problem. I even tried dead shorting the track with a screwdriver and it wouldn't shut down. This is why I think its software or communication related, but how the heck can I tell?

Does the layout have a feeder track with a radio interference suppressor as it came with analogue or Delta starter sets?
Such a device will cause the MS2 to go to STOP perpetually. The Delta Control is more robust and just heats up a little bit, but does not turn off.

Hi, no I'm not doing any of that. This is coming straight from the 29000 digital starter kit. Red to Bahn and Brown to Null(0). Straight from the trackbox wires to the little tabs underneith a piece of track.

Your point is exactly my suspicion, or at least something like it. I'm wondering if there is something in the engine causing the problem or interference. It's a fully digital engine (26507; BR 143 for push/pull sbahn service), but the decoder is a little different than a normal one. It's got some relays on it to handle pickup-shoe change over from the cab control car when running in "push" mode. The set has those goofy dual-pin current couplers as opposed to the normal ones with the copper at the bottom.


I'm wondering if there is something in the lok I need to isolate, or unisolate, or bridge to fix whatever this glitch is. Was hoping someone here had a similar set/difficulty and had some advice.

Hi
Your Train is from 2001 with an FX decoder so prior to the "systems" decoders by ESU


Since in both tests you use the same track box, you may want to:
- check the MS2 s/w version (mine is 4.13) The last vesion I think
- check the trackbox version (mine is 1.62) The last vesion I think
- maybe initialise the trackbox by reloading the lsat version

How do I know the trackbox version?
- go into MS2 parameters and scroll down until System Updates
- select "Update Railbox"
- you will get a query "Update from x.xx to 1.62" where x.xx is your present trackbox s/w version.
- you may force the same version to be downloaded which results into a reset of the trackbox.


Here is the inside of a 60116 Trackbox

As you may see there is no analog components so the current measure is made by digital sampling and comparison to a table. So a reset may help.
I have found that one of my recent Märklin locos was having a false detection of "high current" but a reset sorted this out.
Cheers
Jean

Hello ImpulseTaco

(name would have been nicer)

I would suggest that you submit your query to digital(at)Marklin.com and see what Rick or Curtis may recommend.
The set you have was available from 2001 to 2004.
I don't know if there were any variations by production year.
The locomotive would initially have had a 60902 decoder.
The models came with current conducting couplers which allow for power selection from the leading end of the consist (locomotive or pilot coach)
The description states "Pickup shoe changeover to the cab control car as well as the acceleration and braking delay can be turned on and off with the 6021 Control Unit"
You stated that the locomotive has an issue when running light (solo). This would seem to indicate that the problem is not with the coaches.
Nonetheless, I would try deactivating the power via coupler option and see if this resolves the issue.

I don't know if this model is the same as the individual 112/143/243 locomotives and the instructions are not available on the website.
Check to make sure that the locomotive is fully set to obtain power from the track and that it is not making contact with both track and pantographs
Perhaps Rick and Curtis can advise on the benefits of swapping out the motor and decoder to the newer versions to have better functionality with MFX and DC operation.

You might also try to get in touch with member Armando as he is in your area and is pretty knowledgeable about Marklin

Regards

Mike C

Hi Jordon

Not sure what you mean with "no issue" (not solved?).
In many many cases, reset the loco makes wonders. Have you tried it?

Cheers
Jean

There’s a fix for something very similar to this just announced by Märklin:

“The new firmware 4.15 for the Mobile Station 2 (60653/60657/T66950/T66955) prevents the MS2 from switching off when a BR24 (Starter sets 29243/29244) is steaming.

The firmware will be widely distributed with the next CS3 update.”


This might be worth a try!


Nigel

Hi Jordon, I am wondering if there is any capacitors connected to the locomotive? I had an issue once with a tail light that I installed in the last wagon of a train not using a proper rectifier bridge, just a diode and a capacitor. When I placed the wagon on the track it started lighting, but after some time two locomotives made a brief movement and the CS3 went into stop mode. Trying to understand what happened i believe that the capacitor was charging and when it reached a level it emitted power to the tracks interrupting the data signal and making the CS3 going to stop mode. The two locomotives reacted to analog power and managed to make a brief movement before the power went out. Sounds a little similier to your issue. BR Leif R

Heisann Leif! This is exactly what I'm trying to figure out - whether a part like this is a problem. The set is completely stock, as it left the factory, as far as I can tell. However, technology and specifications have changed since 2001 when the set was new.

This leads me to exactly your question and what I'm hoping maybe I can figure out here; is there some component like a capacitor or RF suppressor that was okay on the older systems, but now needs to be removed/bypassed/changed to be compatible with the newer systems.

Beste Hilsen,
-jordon

For what it is worth, my 3 unit santa fe f7, which i converted with 3 (!) motors, also triggers this behavior when pulling a set of 5 lighted streamliner coaches (some still with bulbs). In my case it is definitely overcurrent, but i also think the ms2 triggers too quickly on current spikes, while it should do more averaging. The same train works fine with esu ecos1.
btw you should be able to see the measured current and voltage values somewhere in the ms2 menus, confirming the mentioned current. There is a possibility there is too much consumption due to overoiling or something.

br, bert