 Joined: 15/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 213 Location: Quebec, Montreal
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I am wondering. My CS3 came with a connection wire for C-track that has a black shrink wrap bulge. Wondering what it is for? (See pictures) Since I am planning a main bus wire of much larger gauge (12 AWG), can I get away not using this “bulge” and connecting the current feeder wire (12AWG) directly to the CS3 with the provided green connector? 
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 1 user liked this useful post by Puttputtmaru
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 Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,887 Location: Michigan, Troy
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It's to keep current in one direction.
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 Joined: 11/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 217 Location: Aruba (general), Oranjestad
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The "black budge" is a ferrite core wrapped in heat shrink.
A ferrite core chokes RF signals traveling over an electric wire, avoiding the RF signal entering the device it is hooked up to....
Regards
Jean-Pierre
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2 users liked this useful post by cintrans
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Joined: 15/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 213 Location: Quebec, Montreal
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So that means that if I want to use a bigger gauge wire to connect the CS3 to my main bus I have to find a ferrite ring big enough for the wire I am using, I.e. 12 AWG?
Or has I asked can I get away without it?
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1 user liked this useful post by Puttputtmaru
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Joined: 11/07/2018(UTC) Posts: 217 Location: Aruba (general), Oranjestad
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You most probably can get away with not using a ferrite on the thicker wire, but there is a reason why M* uses it.
RF interference is a weird animal, and modern electronics are sensitive to it....
You can get "snap-on" ferrites for the thicker wire on Amazon .....
Regards
Jean-Pierre
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1 user liked this useful post by cintrans
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 Joined: 09/08/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,919 Location: Auckland,
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Originally Posted by: Puttputtmaru  I am wondering. My CS3 came with a connection wire for C-track that has a black shrink wrap bulge. Wondering what it is for? (See pictures) Since I am planning a main bus wire of much larger gauge (12 AWG), can I get away not using this “bulge” and connecting the current feeder wire (12AWG) directly to the CS3 with the provided green connector? You can get away with not using it. My cs3 and a friends both came without it, and as such we’ve never used one.
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Joined: 15/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 213 Location: Quebec, Montreal
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Ok thanks all for the help, much appreciated. 
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1 user liked this useful post by Puttputtmaru
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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The concern about RF blocking was much exaggerated and lately seems to have been dismissed. At least in the U.S.. I have not seen any CS3's sold here with the device and Marklin advised those who had received the filters with MS2's to remove them. It only serves to prevent radio interference from being broadcast by the power wire interfering with any devices in your home.
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1 user liked this useful post by rhfil
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,887 Location: Michigan, Troy
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My CS3 plus made in 2019 has it.
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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I wonder if it is based on where the retailer was located. I know of three CS3s from American retailers which came without the filter. And I think mine was purchased before 2019. To be exact, ser. no. 8277 purchased 02/07/2019.
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1 user liked this useful post by rhfil
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Joined: 05/12/2008(UTC) Posts: 1,801 Location: Crozet, Virginia
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I find it interesting that Märklin puts a disclaimer in the CS3 product info that it has not been certified as RF safe in the US and that it is the responsibility of users to have that done.
I have not done that and I doubt that anyone else has either. Maybe that lawyer language went in when the ferrite cores were no longer supplied. |
Regards,
Jim
I have almost all Märklin and mostly HO, although I do have a small number of Z gauge trains!
So many trains and so little time. |
2 users liked this useful post by dickinsonj
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Joined: 10/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 3,887 Location: Michigan, Troy
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Who knows if other rf emitting devices can affect each other. With modern homes having 975 MHz garage door openers, smart appliances, security systems, and utilities meters.
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Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC)
Posts: 15,443
Location: DE-NW
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Originally Posted by: dickinsonj I find it interesting that Märklin puts a disclaimer in the CS3 product info that it has not been certified as RF safe in the US and that it is the responsibility of users to have that done. IIRC they used similar "black boxes" for the CS2 - I think they got FCC approval, but also prevented mfx loco registration and people were better off without those devices. Also some loco manuals note about the lack of an FCC approval. |
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  |
2 users liked this useful post by H0
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Joined: 05/09/2014(UTC) Posts: 676 Location: NEW HAMPSHIRE, Somersworth
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Pretty much everything electrical in our homes these days sends out a signal of one type, I wonder what the difference is between a wifi signal and what the Marklin controllers send out. Every time I try to find a signal on my iPhone or laptop I see many options but almost all are secure.
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1 user liked this useful post by rhfil
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