Hello all,

Has anyone successfully installed the Marklin Link s88 with using the diode trick in a layout that has a combination of C track and K track? If so, how should the common ground be wired when transitioning between K track and C track?

On both the C & K tracks, one rail is the common ground while the other rail is the insulated contact rail that's wired to the Link s88. A diode 1N1400x spans between both rails with the ground flow (arrow) pointing towards the insulated rail.

In a test, the isolated contact tracks worked with the diode trick but when the locomotive entered from the K track into the C track, a short became present. No common ground wires are connected to the C track, only the K track.

Do I need to connect a brown wire to the common side of the C track rail to eliminate this problem?

Thank you,
Peter

Thank you for the advice, I will go and check my diode connections. It makes sense. When the CS2 is in stop mode, all sensors are working correctly but when I turn the CS2 to go, a short occurs. I'll keep you posted what my investigation finds.

Thanks again for your quick response.
Best regards,
Peter