 Joined: 04/10/2021(UTC) Posts: 56 Location: Maine, Lewiston
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I’m in the US, I’m looking at using Reed switches (7555) but it seems Marklin will not ship the magnets (7556,7557, 7558) to the US, not direct and not to distributors. Does anyone know the specs on the magnets, it must be something I can find an alternative of at a hardware store..??
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 Joined: 30/08/2002(UTC) Posts: 1,288
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Have you considered buying them from a German based reseller, such as https://www.lokmuseum.co...ine_shop.php?suchen=7558 ? Another question: Why reed? There are other more reliable solutions for train detection. Are you using C, K or M tracks? I’m sure you will get some good advise on this forum. |
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 1 user liked this useful post by PeFu
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Joined: 04/10/2021(UTC) Posts: 56 Location: Maine, Lewiston
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Originally Posted by: PeFu  Have you considered buying them from a German based reseller, such as https://www.lokmuseum.co...ine_shop.php?suchen=7558 ? Another question: Why reed? There are other more reliable solutions for train detection. Are you using C, K or M tracks? I’m sure you will get some good advise on this forum. I will look into it, the reseller in the states that I use implied it had more to do with German regulations than Marklin itself, but I haven't confirmed that. A local equivilant to the Marklin magnets would also save a ton on shipping. I'm looking to switch from M track/analog and go to K track/digital, the Reed switches seemed to be a better option than the contact track control method that relies on the pick-up shoe. I've had problems with contact tracks in the past particullary when running passenger cars that also had their own pick-up shoe triggering signals and such at the wrong times, I thought Reed switches would be a way around that problem.
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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There are three kinds of feedback mechanisms possible with Marklin. The Contact Track is the most common and uses the fact that the wheels of ac cars and locos are conductive. The main advantage is that a signal is sent to the controller as long as there are conductive wheels on the track. The Circuit Track is the easiest but requires a slider to activate it. The main advantage is that it can identify which direction the slider is going. Finally there is Reed Switch whose main advantage is being able to have specific trains identified. The main disadvantage is the magnets are attracted by the tracks. I bought the magnets on ebay but most retailers in the U.S. had them.
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1 user liked this useful post by rhfil
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 480 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: Mjn2ts Originally Posted by: PeFu Have you considered buying them from a German based reseller, such as https://www.lokmuseum.co...ine_shop.php?suchen=7558 ? Another question: Why reed? There are other more reliable solutions for train detection. Are you using C, K or M tracks? I’m sure you will get some good advise on this forum. I will look into it, the reseller in the states that I use implied it had more to do with German regulations than Marklin itself, but I haven't confirmed that. A local equivilant to the Marklin magnets would also save a ton on shipping. I'm looking to switch from M track/analog and go to K track/digital, the Reed switches seemed to be a better option than the contact track control method that relies on the pick-up shoe. I've had problems with contact tracks in the past particullary when running passenger cars that also had their own pick-up shoe triggering signals and such at the wrong times, I thought Reed switches would be a way around that problem. Contact track relies on making ground connection through passing metal wheels, not the same as using middle slider (=power) sensing. Ground is most robust for train sensing as there are no moving parts. |
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2 users liked this useful post by BenP
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 Joined: 04/04/2013(UTC) Posts: 1,291 Location: Port Moody, BC
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I replaced all of my Maerklin magnets with neodymium magnets available at Michaels in North America. They are much stronger and come in different sizes. I found the Maerklin magnets to not be as reliable for consistent activation of the reed switches.
The problem I have with the magnets is that they pull up the point mechanisms on the old style K track 3 way switches, causing shorts and power shut down. So little by little I have converted most of the layout to contact track sensing. Very consistent activation, but you better get the location right on the first try on a permanent layout.
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3 users liked this useful post by PMPeter
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 Joined: 22/06/2019(UTC) Posts: 27 Location: TIANJIN
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Originally Posted by: Mjn2ts I’m in the US, I’m looking at using Reed switches (7555) but it seems Marklin will not ship the magnets (7556,7557, 7558) to the US, not direct and not to distributors. Does anyone know the specs on the magnets, it must be something I can find an alternative of at a hardware store..?? No need to buy 7556, 7557 & 7558, you can buy better and cheaper magnets from web. Also you can buy common Reed switches instead of 7555, then put them under the track, magnets under loco or wagon can trigger them well, or may put Reed switches at different level position on sides of track (magnet shall be on left or right side of loco or wagon), then could distinguish different locos.
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1 user liked this useful post by LSQ
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Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 480 Location: USA
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Originally Posted by: PMPeter I replaced all of my Maerklin magnets with neodymium magnets available at Michaels in North America. They are much stronger and come in different sizes. I found the Maerklin magnets to not be as reliable for consistent activation of the reed switches.
The problem I have with the magnets is that they pull up the point mechanisms on the old style K track 3 way switches, causing shorts and power shut down. So little by little I have converted most of the layout to contact track sensing. Very consistent activation, but you better get the location right on the first try on a permanent layout. I learned that M and Z track metal turnouts often pull the strong Nd magnets from the loc. I resorted to gluing magnets for Z layout operation and no reed switches for M layout. (No experience with C and K track) |
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1 user liked this useful post by BenP
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