Hi TomCat
A warm welcome to this great forum

Here a Märklinist from Paris having used k83 since 1988. I use also m83 with a CS3 and C Track.

- K83 (6083) must be able to power any solenoid accessory. The only thing is a direct digital power feed is a must (not from the track)
- K83 allow longer duration in commands (as long as you push on the button, the solenoid is activated). This may lead to a burned solenoid and K83 transistor is some cases
- M83 have a build-in turn off feature (max 500 mS) after which they chop the current for safety
- I still use 6083 on my layout but replace them slowly by 60832

K 83 have a biblical simplicity and there is no reason for them NOT to work unless there is something burned inside
Here is a first version of k83 (1985 till 1995)



So I suggest you check the wiring or a possible damage tp your K83
Cheers
Jean

Hi
I forgot to mention the other possibility: Electrolitic capacitors have a way of reducing their value with time with in return reduces the energy locally stored in the K83 and then the energy available for the switch motor.
Newer m83 also use more modern transistor switches (MOSFETs I think) with reduced internal resistance
A direct feed of the K83 may help compensate but with at least a 0.5 mm²

Cheers
Jean

Ahhh, the 'good-old' Motorola MC145027 chip... bring me back to when I was young and playing with Elektor Edits...

Jean is right - replace the 2 electrolytic capacitor in there (big one for sure) and I'm pretty sure you'll be good as new!

Benoit

Hi Goofy
I am sorry to disagree.
Indeed the K83 was used with an official 16 VAC power supply and a 6020 / 6021 Central Unit.
When measured after rectification, the voltage was MUCH higher than 16 VDC (of course and because of the transformer imperfections its AC delivery was rather 17 or 18 VAC when little load.

The K83 is a CMOS logic IC powered by a reduced voltage (Zener diode) and the output transistors were able to sustain much higher voltages that the 16 VDC
Sorry I cannot post the inside of the K83 as there seems to be forum server issues.


Indeed there is a problem with the K83 (6083). When you push a (KEYBOARD) button on any CU or CS1, CS2, CS3, the K83 activates the solenoid and waits until you release the button to stop activating it.

Very nice and convenient to drive uncouplers or a 7051 crane. The only problem is: if the K83 misses the activation stop command , the solenoid remains activated until it burns and sets its inputs in short circuit. This causes then the output transistor to be burnt also. Happens rarely but it happened to me a few times
Cheers
Jean