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Intermittent Turnout Decoder Issues with Märklin C-Track
 Joined: 02/03/2025(UTC) Posts: 25 Location: Rinkenæs, 6300 Gråsten
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Hi everyone,
I'm encountering a recurring issue with my Märklin C-Track layout, utilizing turnout decoders 74462, Initially, all approximately 70 turnouts function correctly after setup. However, after a few days, some of them stop responding.
Interestingly, when I swap the decoder from a non-functioning turnout with another (e.g., decoder no. 1), the turnout operates correctly again. Furthermore, the decoder that was previously not functioning, works fine when installed in a different turnout.
Has anyone else experienced similar issues with turnout decoders losing functionality over time? Any insights or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Best regards, Thorben |
Thorben Jensen - Denmark
CS3+, Märklin HO
TC Gold Version 10.0 B3, 64 bit
Windows 11 Home
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 Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,555 Location: Paris, France
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Hi Thorben
The most frequent issue is related to the switch motor 74491. Here the result is one of the microswitches does not work (either just once or permanently) Here the cure is to short each switch pins.
Another issue with the decoder has to do with the MFX fonctionning. While excellent for locos and cars, the slightly modified MFX for accessories may cause trouble if you push again on that button "find lost MFX accessories". IMO, better stick to MM2 (assign manually addresses, code the switches on decoders and you are good to go.
Another possibility: often, the powering of 74462 decoders through the track poses problems and a direct digital power feed is much better.
74462 decoders are excellent for carpet trains, they are unwise to be used on fixed layouts: much more expensive, difficult to intervene if problems, power feed trough the track.
Cheers
Jean |
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Joined: 02/03/2025(UTC) Posts: 25 Location: Rinkenæs, 6300 Gråsten
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Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB  Hi Thorben
The most frequent issue is related to the switch motor 74491. Here the result is one of the microswitches does not work (either just once or permanently) Here the cure is to short each switch pins.
Another issue with the decoder has to do with the MFX fonctionning. While excellent for locos and cars, the slightly modified MFX for accessories may cause trouble if you push again on that button "find lost MFX accessories". IMO, better stick to MM2 (assign manually addresses, code the switches on decoders and you are good to go.
Another possibility: often, the powering of 74462 decoders through the track poses problems and a direct digital power feed is much better.
74462 decoders are excellent for carpet trains, they are unwise to be used on fixed layouts: much more expensive, difficult to intervene if problems, power feed trough the track.
Cheers
Jean Hi Jean, Thank you for your insights. Regarding the microswitches in the 74491 turnout motors, I understand that they can fail. However, I'm puzzled as to why they start working again after I disassemble and reassemble them. Could it be that the act of taking them apart and putting them back together temporarily resolves a contact issue? As for the decoder setup, all my turnouts are configured using the MM2 protocol with manually assigned addresses; I don't use mfx for accessories. You mentioned that powering the 74462 decoders directly with digital power is preferable to relying on track power. Could you please elaborate on how to implement a direct digital power feed for these decoders? I'm not entirely sure how to set this up. Best regards, Thorben |
Thorben Jensen - Denmark
CS3+, Märklin HO
TC Gold Version 10.0 B3, 64 bit
Windows 11 Home
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Joined: 02/03/2025(UTC) Posts: 25 Location: Rinkenæs, 6300 Gråsten
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Originally Posted by: tgj Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi Thorben
The most frequent issue is related to the switch motor 74491. Here the result is one of the microswitches does not work (either just once or permanently) Here the cure is to short each switch pins.
Another issue with the decoder has to do with the MFX fonctionning. While excellent for locos and cars, the slightly modified MFX for accessories may cause trouble if you push again on that button "find lost MFX accessories". IMO, better stick to MM2 (assign manually addresses, code the switches on decoders and you are good to go.
Another possibility: often, the powering of 74462 decoders through the track poses problems and a direct digital power feed is much better.
74462 decoders are excellent for carpet trains, they are unwise to be used on fixed layouts: much more expensive, difficult to intervene if problems, power feed trough the track.
Cheers
Jean Hi Jean, Thank you for your insights. Regarding the microswitches in the 74491 turnout motors, I understand that they can fail. However, I'm puzzled as to why they start working again after I disassemble and reassemble them. Could it be that the act of taking them apart and putting them back together temporarily resolves a contact issue? As for the decoder setup, all my turnouts are configured using the MM2 protocol with manually assigned addresses; I don't use mfx for accessories. You mentioned that powering the 74462 decoders directly with digital power is preferable to relying on track power. Could you please elaborate on how to implement a direct digital power feed for these decoders? I'm not entirely sure how to set this up. Best regards, Thorben Hi Jean Additionally, I recently encountered a problem with two turnout decoders. It turned out that the issue wasn't with the motors but with the decoders themselves. Both were brand new, yet they stopped working. After replacing them, the turnouts functioned correctly again. Best regards, Thorben |
Thorben Jensen - Denmark
CS3+, Märklin HO
TC Gold Version 10.0 B3, 64 bit
Windows 11 Home
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 Joined: 01/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 7,452 Location: Scotland
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The decders are mfx and register themselves. I have about 30 of them and never a problem. The motors are different and from what I see on here can fail but to date only one of mine stopped working.
I find with most Marklin if used as per the insructions (to be fair not great) the items will work. Are the fauty decoders not registering. |
Take care I like Marklin and will defend the worlds greatest model rail manufacturer. |
 1 user liked this useful post by David Dewar
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Joined: 23/04/2019(UTC)
Posts: 497
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
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You had a problem with the three-way switch and TrainController, but that got solved. So I take it that it's not related to the TC software. I remember seeing in another forum a user having problems with switches "acting up". His problem was due to insufficient power supply to the layout.
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 Joined: 22/01/2025(UTC) Posts: 53 Location: Setubal, Palmela
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