 Joined: 06/11/2024(UTC) Posts: 52 Location: Georgia, Atlanta
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We have a new CS3 and all the auto registrations have gone perfectly until we put the E50 (39500) on the programming track. No activity at all. I've tried to manually register it on Address 50 without any luck. I've got the loco open and it looks absolutely perfect. Any suggestions what I might test for 'under the hood'?
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Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC)
Posts: 9,277
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Originally Posted by: johnhendry  We have a new CS3 and all the auto registrations have gone perfectly until we put the E50 (39500) on the programming track. No activity at all. I've tried to manually register it on Address 50 without any luck. I've got the loco open and it looks absolutely perfect. Any suggestions what I might test for 'under the hood'? Tried on the main track by register loco? |
H0
DCC = Digital Command Control
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,563 Location: Paris, France
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Hi John The 39500 is a 2007 digital E50 loco with a SDS (Soft Drive Sinus)motor and a sound module. The first thing to check is that the power-source switch is set to rails and working. The other thing to check is the slider and its connection to the loco. Check very delicately that the SDS motor is connected to its platina (a lock/unlock connector) and that the cable has not been pulled away Here is the exploded view of the central / Electronic part of the loco  The good and bad - SDS motors are the best Märklin ever produced but alas cannot be replaced not its electronics with drivers - the decoder (21 MTC interface) can be replaced by an mLD3 or an mSD3 for sounds BUT it must be programmed at least to change the motor type to a SINUS motor Here are two electric Märklin locos of the exact same era (39401 and 26540 set) with an SDS motor and separate - simplified - sound module  Cheers Jean |
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 1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 06/11/2024(UTC) Posts: 52 Location: Georgia, Atlanta
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Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,563 Location: Paris, France
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Hi John "Could the decoder fails?" Yes it could have but other things may also be wrong. I suggest to test the loco with AC power (from 6 to 14 VAC) and see if something happens (light, motor turning, etc). DO NOT try to reverse direction with an old Märklin transformer. By testing using an mLD3 (60972) or mSD3 (60977) AND updating the motor type (CV 52=1 und CV 56 =0 and CV 51 =24 or =0 depending if AUX3 and AUX4 or logical or buffered. If the test is negative, you may still use the decoder used for test for another loco. Make sure FIRST that the power reaches the decoder (21MTC interface). Use a multimeter to check the continuity Pin 21 connected to wheels Pin 22 connected to slider  Cheers Jean |
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1 user liked this useful post by JohnjeanB
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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The CS3 has a feature "find missing mfx loco". I would try that with the loco on the programming track. And on the layout with all other locos removed.
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1 user liked this useful post by rhfil
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: johnhendry I've tried to manually register it on Address 50 without any luck. That only makes sense if you disable mfx in the CS at the same time. It is worth a try as with those old mfx decoders, often the "mfx sender" on the decoder fails and loco cannot register. There is a (good) chance that the loco will work using MM protocol if mfx is disabled in the controller. If it works, then you can check if motor and lights work fine - and then maybe order a new decoder. |
Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS  |
1 user liked this useful post by H0
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Joined: 06/11/2024(UTC) Posts: 52 Location: Georgia, Atlanta
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Originally Posted by: H0 Originally Posted by: johnhendry I've tried to manually register it on Address 50 without any luck. That only makes sense if you disable mfx in the CS at the same time. It is worth a try as with those old mfx decoders, often the "mfx sender" on the decoder fails and loco cannot register. There is a (good) chance that the loco will work using MM protocol if mfx is disabled in the controller. If it works, then you can check if motor and lights work fine - and then maybe order a new decoder. HO, thank you. The only manual I have for the CS3 is very basic. I can't find any detail on how to disable MFX as you say above?
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1 user liked this useful post by johnhendry
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,894 Location: Michigan, Troy
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johnhendry, you disable/enable protocalls in the syhstem settings menus. Go through and look at them to familiarize yourselve's with the system. As long as you don't click OK afterm you check a change, it won't change. Maybe order the newest CS3 big book. It has more detailed user guides.
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Joined: 06/11/2024(UTC) Posts: 52 Location: Georgia, Atlanta
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Okay, I'll do that, thank you.
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1 user liked this useful post by johnhendry
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Joined: 06/11/2024(UTC) Posts: 52 Location: Georgia, Atlanta
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi John "Could the decoder fails?" Yes it could have but other things may also be wrong. I suggest to test the loco with AC power (from 6 to 14 VAC) and see if something happens (light, motor turning, etc). DO NOT try to reverse direction with an old Märklin transformer. By testing using an mLD3 (60972) or mSD3 (60977) AND updating the motor type (CV 52=1 und CV 56 =0 and CV 51 =24 or =0 depending if AUX3 and AUX4 or logical or buffered. If the test is negative, you may still use the decoder used for test for another loco. Make sure FIRST that the power reaches the decoder (21MTC interface). Use a multimeter to check the continuity Pin 21 connected to wheels Pin 22 connected to slider Cheers Jean Thank you, Jean. I'm going to go through each of these steps. I'll let you know.
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 Joined: 27/02/2008(UTC) Posts: 297 Location: Santiago
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Hi John,
I will also reccomend to first start reviewing the slider. I have had cases of locomotives not starting due oxidation of the cooper contacts after a long period of time of not been used. Take out the slider take a look to it, move it and then re install it and test the locomotive again. May be that is the problem.
Next step will be to test it deactivating MFX protocol in the CS3 and using MM only to test. If there is no reaction (lights or sound) there is still a possibility of a failure in the connection from the slider to the decoder or the return to the decoder.
Regards
Eduardo
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2 users liked this useful post by eduard71
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Joined: 06/11/2024(UTC) Posts: 52 Location: Georgia, Atlanta
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Originally Posted by: eduard71 Hi John,
I will also reccomend to first start reviewing the slider. I have had cases of locomotives not starting due oxidation of the cooper contacts after a long period of time of not been used. Take out the slider take a look to it, move it and then re install it and test the locomotive again. May be that is the problem.
Next step will be to test it deactivating MFX protocol in the CS3 and using MM only to test. If there is no reaction (lights or sound) there is still a possibility of a failure in the connection from the slider to the decoder or the return to the decoder.
Regards
Eduardo
Well, I sat down and got ready to go through every suggestion that you guys made but I started with this one, Eduard71. Turns out the slider was clicked into the wrong position and was not making any contact with the connector. It's moved the slider, put it on the programming track and it's running beautifully. You can't help stupid!! We now have every single loco running from my Dad's set (16) and we're starting the layout build. Thank you guys for all the help!!
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4 users liked this useful post by johnhendry
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